RED BEANS, SMOKED SAUSAGE AND RICE
Red beans are a Southern favorite and this hearty recipe makes a wonderful weeknight meal.
Red beans with smoked sausage served over rice makes for a delicious and hearty meal found in many Southern kitchens. My family loves red beans and rice and it’s so easy to make. Serve it with some Southern Cornmeal Hoecakes for a real comfort food dinner.
Red beans, smoked sausage and rice can be made on the stove top or in the crock pot.
1 (1 pound) bag dried small red beans
8 cups water
4 chicken bouillon cubes (can use 2 less cups of water and add one can of chicken broth)
1 teaspoon bacon grease (optional)
1 ham hock
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 small onion, chopped
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground sage
1 (approx. 1 pound package) smoked sausage or andouille sausage, cut into slices or pieces
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
Long grain rice or rice of your choice
Rinse the beans and put in dutch oven or large pot. (I do not soak these beans) Add water and remaining ingredients except for salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer on low for about 2 hours. Add salt before serving. Serve over rice of your choice. Enjoy!
Note: I use long grain rice prepared according to package directions. This could be made in the crock pot, too. Just cook the red beans and sausage on low for about 7 or 8 hours until beans are done and make your rice separate.
Leave out the meat for a great vegetarian meal!
Red Beans and Rice
Ingredients
- 1 1 pound bag dried small red beans
- 8 cups water
- 4 chicken bouillon cubes can use 2 less cups of water and add one can of chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon bacon grease optional
- 1 ham hock
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
- 1 approx. 1 pound package smoked sausage, cut into slices or pieces
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Long grain rice or rice of your choice
Instructions
- Rinse the beans and put in dutch oven or large pot. (I do not soak these beans) Add water and remaining ingredients except for salt. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat, cover and simmer on low for about 2 hours. Add salt before serving. Serve over rice of your choice.
Notes
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Have you tried this recipe in an instant pot?
I’m so glad I found this, I know I will sure enjoy it!
We hope so, too, Mildred! Enjoy!
What is a goodsp sausage to use.p?
I usually use Hillshire Farm when I make it.
can I use cut up ham instead of ham hock
can I half this recipe I want to make it for just one person
Yes, you can do that, William.
Can you use can beans???
Yes, you could do that, Tonnesha.
Can you use smoked turkey wings instead of ham hocks?
Yes, that should work fine Linda.
Are these beans ready to cook or the kind you have to soak overnite?
They are dried beans.. The kind you soak.
mmmm sounds delish- I have some Polska Kielbasa and red beans in a can- I think I’ll make this!
Red bean and rice Sound great ,But tonights dinner is already made,So i will just have to make this Tuesday night for dinner..Thanks Judy for reposting this wonderful dish My Husband love this.I never thought about putting bacon grease in it, But I will this timeI have a big Jar full in Fridge..Judy I just love your site Thanks again for all your great Recipes….
I have had it simmering for 2 hrs and the beans are still a bit hard…any suggestions?!
Maybe, you need to turn the heat up a bit and cook a while longer.
I am new to your site (via facebook) So many things I’ve run across use bacon grease. I had forgotten that my Mom ALWAYS poured off the bacon grease after frying and put it in a soup can in the ‘fridge. ALWAYS added wonderful flavor to everything. Omigosh, I am 72 years old and WHY I never remembered this is absolutely beyond me. I still cook a LOT and have my own soup can of bacon grease started in my ‘fridge. Thanks, Judy, for the gentle nudge to my “rememberer”.
Does it make some type of thick juice or gravy to serve over he rice
Yes, it makes like a bean soup. You could add more liquid if it is not soupy enough for you.
My recipe calls for mashing a few of the beans and it makes it a thicker gravy. 🙂
This works, I’ve cooked red beans for 60 years. At least once or twice a week, my mother In law taught me to mash the beans on the side of the pan while cooking them and that makes them thick.we were married 60 years May the 6th. I am so blessed, he’s still with me!
I make this except I use pinto beans
A friend of mine makes a crockpot Jumbalaya and she puts her rice into the recipe into the crockpot like 30 mins before serving and it comes out great I wonder if that would work here?
I think it is time for some Red Beans and Rice!!
oh my yupyupyup
Love this recipe, but being the Southern gal I am, I’d leave the word optional off of bacon grease. It’s required here. 🙂
I agree with you Valerie! I always add the bacon grease when I make this, too.
We eat beans and rice all the time, Judy—I love it. (We like brown rice in ours.) I’ve never put sage and thyme in mine, though, so I’ll be eager to try it—thank you!