Creole Beans And Rice
Creole Beans and Rice features hearty red beans, smoky salt pork, and vibrant seasonings, offering a flavorful, comforting dish perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried red beans ⓘ
- 1/2 lb salt pork ⓘ
- 3 cups chopped onions ⓘ
- 1 bunch chopped green onions ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped fresh parsley ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic pressed ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon red pepper ⓘ
- 3 dashes hot sauce ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon dried whole oregano ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon dried whole thyme ⓘ
Instructions
- Sort and wash the dried red beans.
- Place the beans in a Dutch oven and cover with water to soak overnight.
- Drain the soaked beans.
- Add salt pork to the Dutch oven and cover with water, then cook for 45 minutes.
- Add chopped onions, chopped green onions, chopped parsley, chopped green pepper, pressed garlic, salt, red pepper, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, dried oregano, and dried thyme to the beans.
- Cover and cook over low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Add sausage to the mixture and cook uncovered over low heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve the beans and sausage mixture over cooked rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding smoked sausage or a bay leaf during cooking. If you don't have salt pork, bacon or smoked turkey can be substituted for a similar effect. To reduce cooking time, you can use canned beans instead, but be sure to adjust the salt accordingly. For a vegetarian version, try using vegetable broth and omitting meat entirely.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Creole Beans and Rice with a side of cornbread or a fresh green salad for a well-rounded meal. This dish pairs beautifully with Mustard Greens And Pork Strips, making for a hearty Southern-inspired dinner. For added flavor, garnish with extra chopped green onions or parsley before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the mixture is too thick. You can also microwave portions in a covered dish, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Creole Beans And Rice contains roughly 203 calories, with 7g protein, 37g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (126% of the Daily Value), iron (104% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (74% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and potassium. It also contributes 21g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use different types of beans for this recipe?
Yes, you can use other beans such as kidney beans or black beans if you prefer. However, keep in mind that different beans may require slightly different cooking times, so adjust accordingly to ensure they are tender.
How spicy will this dish be?
The spice level can be adjusted by varying the amount of red pepper and hot sauce. For a milder dish, reduce these ingredients, or omit them entirely. Alternatively, for more heat, feel free to add additional hot sauce or crushed red pepper flakes.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! This dish actually benefits from resting, as the flavors meld together beautifully. You can prepare it a day in advance, allowing it to cool completely before refrigerating. Just reheat before serving, and it will taste even better the next day.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).