Red Beans And Rice(Preparation Time: 10 Minutes And Cooking Time: 20 Minutes)
Red Beans and Rice is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring tender red beans, smoked sausage, and aromatic vegetables, simmered in tomato-based broth. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, it combines smoky, savory, and spicy flavors that appeal to those craving a satisfying, quick-to-make meal.
Ingredients
- vegetable cooking spray ⓘ
- 6 oz low-fat smoked sausage, sliced ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 3/4 cup chopped green pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 3 (16 oz) cans red beans, drained ⓘ
- 1 (14 1/2 oz) can no-salt-added stewed tomatoes, chopped ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups water ⓘ
- 1 (6 oz) can no-salt-added tomato paste ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
Instructions
- Coat a Dutch oven with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat until hot.
- Add sliced sausage, chopped onion, chopped green pepper, and minced garlic, and sauté until tender.
- Add drained red beans, chopped stewed tomatoes with their juice, water, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried thyme, hot sauce, and bay leaf.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
- Remove and discard the bay leaf.
- Serve the red beans over cooked rice.
- Garnish with thyme sprigs if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a smoky flavor, consider using andouille sausage instead of low-fat smoked sausage. If you want to make this dish vegetarian, replace the sausage with smoked tempeh or omit it entirely. Feel free to add other vegetables like diced carrots or celery to enhance the nutritional value. Adjust the hot sauce to your heat preference; if you like it spicier, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the red beans over fluffy white or brown rice for a hearty meal. This dish pairs beautifully with cornbread or a fresh green salad for added crunch. You can also enjoy it with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of green onions for extra flavor. For a complete meal, consider serving alongside grilled turkey breast or a light vegetable side.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the mixture. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Red Beans And Rice(Preparation Time: 10 Minutes And Cooking Time: 20 Minutes) contains roughly 764 calories, with 19g protein, 146g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (37% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (28% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (26% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1264mg per serving (55% of the Daily Value).
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 dried beans instead of canned?
Yes, you can use dried red beans. Soak them overnight and cook them separately until tender before adding them to the recipe. Adjust the water and cooking time accordingly, as dried beans take longer to cook than canned beans.
What type of rice is best for serving with red beans?
Long-grain white rice, such as basmati or jasmine, works well with red beans and rice due to its fluffy texture. Brown rice is a healthier alternative that adds a nutty flavor, but it will need a longer cooking time. Consider making a large batch to have leftovers for other meals.
Can I freeze red beans and rice?
Yes, red beans and rice can be frozen for up to 3 months. Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave until heated through.
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).