South Texas Red Beans And Rice
South Texas Red Beans and Rice is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring tender red beans, smoky sausage, and spices, perfect for comforting family meals or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried red beans ⓘ
- 1 meaty ham bone ⓘ
- 1/4 lb salt pork ⓘ
- 2 qt water ⓘ
- 10 oz can whole tomatoes and green chiles, chopped ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp dried basil ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp pepper ⓘ
- 1/8 tsp Creole seasoning ⓘ
- 1/4 lb smoked sausage, sliced ⓘ
- hot cooked rice ⓘ
Instructions
- Sort and wash the dried red beans; place in a large Dutch oven.
- Cover with water 2 inches above the beans and let soak for 8 hours.
- Drain the beans.
- Add the ham bone, salt pork, and 2 quarts of water.
- Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 1 hour.
- Remove and discard the ham bone and salt pork.
- Add chopped tomatoes, chopped onion, chopped celery, minced garlic, bay leaves, dried basil, dried thyme, pepper, and Creole seasoning; stir well.
- Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Add sliced smoked sausage and simmer uncovered for an additional hour, stirring occasionally.
- Remove and discard bay leaves.
- Serve the beans over hot cooked rice.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding a splash of vinegar or hot sauce before serving. If you don't have a ham bone, diced ham or smoked turkey can be good substitutes. For a vegetarian option, use vegetable broth and omit the meat. This dish can also be made in a slow cooker for convenience.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the beans over fluffy white rice for a satisfying meal. Consider pairing with cornbread or a side salad like De-De'S Spinach Salad for a refreshing contrast. This dish is perfect for gatherings and goes well with a cold beverage, making it a great choice for casual dining.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of water and heat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. The flavors will deepen after a day or two, making it even tastier.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of South Texas Red Beans And Rice contains roughly 520 calories, with 42g protein, 95g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (237% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 491mg per serving (21% 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 canned red beans instead of dried beans?
Yes, you can use canned red beans to save time. Rinse and drain them, then add them in the last 30 minutes of cooking, just enough to heat through. Keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different, as dried beans have a richer taste when cooked from scratch.
What can I serve with South Texas Red Beans and Rice?
This hearty dish pairs beautifully with cornbread, coleslaw, or a fresh green salad. You can also serve hot sauce on the side for those who like a spicy kick. For a complete meal, consider adding a protein like grilled chicken or shrimp.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To increase the heat, add diced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce when cooking. You can also increase the amount of Creole seasoning or include cayenne pepper to taste. Just be sure to adjust the other seasonings accordingly to maintain balance.
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).