New Orleans red beans and rice is a beloved classic recipe from the South that has become widely popular across homes and restaurants nationwide.
This dish hails from Louisiana and is usually served after a Sunday dinner with leftover vegetables and ham. Typically, it includes sausage – andouille being the most popular – but you can easily make it vegetarian-friendly by leaving out the sausage.
Ingredients
Red beans and rice is a beloved New Orleans classic that has been enjoyed for centuries. It holds an important place in Louisiana culture and it’s one of the best-known slow cooker recipes!
This recipe is so effortless – only requiring a few ingredients and no cooking on the stovetop! If you’re craving an amazing meal with lots of flavor, this New Orleans red beans and rice slow cooker recipe is your ideal pick. Here are the main components needed for this dish:
Dried red kidney beans or any type of small red bean will do just fine in your slow cooker. Soaking them beforehand not only helps expedite the process, but it also prevents any toxins from entering into your food during preparation.
Once your red beans have soaked, add them to the base of your slow cooker along with chicken broth, celery, bell peppers, onion, andouille sausage, Cajun seasoning, salt and bay leaves. Cook on high until your beans are soft and creamy!
The whole process can take anywhere from 8 to 10 hours on low, so make sure to check them periodically and remove the lid when necessary. If the beans appear too watery, let them simmer for another 20 minutes to reduce liquid.
You can substitute canned beans for this recipe, but homemade ones are much better. Not only do the homemade beans cook longer and have a creamier consistency when done, but the extra effort pays off too!
Add multiple cured pork products for even more flavor in this dish. Try including smoked ham hocks or even chorizo sausage if available in your region.
This slow cooker meal is one of my go-tos. If you’re searching for more crock pot recipes, be sure to visit my easy crock pot recipes page!
Preparation
This classic New Orleans red beans and rice recipe features red kidney beans combined with various delicious ingredients. A few vegetables, some common pantry spices, as well as some lean ground pork all come together to form the ideal balance of complex flavors.
This delicious slow cooker red beans recipe is sure to please your family and guests alike. It’s a hearty meal suitable for any special occasion – from Mardi Gras to weeknight dinner!
This classic Louisiana recipe has become a go-to in homes throughout the state of Louisiana. Originally prepared on Mondays as an easy way to use up leftover ham from Sunday dinner, this meal also had the advantage of simmering all day while domestic helpers were busy with other tasks.
Before cooking this delectable recipe, it is essential to soak dried red beans overnight in water. Doing so will soften them and eliminate grit, while giving the flavor an enhanced kick.
Place soaked beans into a slow cooker and cover with water; the level should come about two inches above the top of the beans.
After adding the water, it’s time to incorporate all other ingredients into the pot. This includes minced garlic, cayenne pepper, and Creole seasoning for flavor.
You could also add some smoked andouille sausages for an even smokier taste.
Finally, use a potato masher to mash about 1/3 of the beans for an ultra-creamy texture. This helps you scoop up even more of that delicious, thick sauce with each bite!
This classic Southern dish, slow cooker red beans, is the perfect comforting meal to celebrate any special occasion – from Mardi Gras to Sunday dinner! Enjoy this hearty meal anytime of year with this easy recipe from your slow cooker!
Cooking
This classic Louisiana dish dates back to the 1930s, and New Orleanians still love its smoky and spicy red beans and rice recipe. While it’s often served during Mardi Gras, you can enjoy this hearty meal any time of year! This easy slow cooker version features delicious sausage, creole spices, as well as veggies!
Red beans and rice was traditionally served on Mondays as a way to use up leftover vegetables and ham from Sunday dinner. Since it was also wash day on Mondays, you could leave the pot of beans simmering while domestic helpers took care of laundry, ironing and sewing tasks.
This classic dish can be prepared in many ways, but usually involves either ham hocks and orouille sausage or both. Some cooks opt for pickled pork or salt pork in place of the ham hocks; others add an additional layer of flavor with hot sauce.
Before cooking this dish, make sure your beans have been properly sorted and rinsed. Doing this will prevent them from being covered in small stones and allow them to completely soak before being placed into a slow cooker.
Once your beans have been boiled, place them in a slow cooker with diced green bell peppers, onions, celery and garlic. You may want to add some sliced (smoked) Andouille sausage for additional flavor as well. For an extra kick of spice you could add Creole seasoning or hot sauce along with bay leaves.
Add chicken stock and let simmer on high for 6-8 hours, until the beans are soft and the rice has cooked through. Before serving, pour some of the cooking liquid over top and garnish with chopped scallions.
I’ve made this red beans and rice recipe in the slow cooker many times, and it is always a hit! Not only is it simple to prepare, but it makes an ideal weeknight dinner for the entire family – perfect for Mardi Gras or football tailgates! If you like this recipe, be sure to check out my other popular Crock Pot recipes too!
Serving
A serving of New Orleans red beans and rice is a hearty and filling meal ideal for Mardi Gras, football tailgates or while hosting a party. This recipe requires minimal hands-on time while feeding an eager crowd.
New Orleans red beans and rice is a long-standing Southern dish made with red beans, smoked ham hocks, and sausage. When these Cajun ingredients are combined with vegetables, herbs and common pantry spices to create an irresistibly flavorful dish that’s sure to wow your guests.
You can make this slow cooker dish with a variety of sausages and ham hocks, but the New Orleans style calls for using a smoked ham hock and andouille sausage for maximum smokiness. The sausage and ham are added after the beans have been cooked to give them an even more robust, savory flavor.
For a healthier version of this dish, swap out the sausage and ham hocks for black beans instead. Alternatively, mix black with pinto beans to create an energy-packed meal low in cholesterol and saturated fats.
Before you begin cooking the dried beans, rinse and drain them thoroughly. Place in a large pot, covering by 4 inches with water. Add minced garlic, finely diced onion and Creole seasoning; bring to a boil then simmer until the beans are tender (usually around 30 minutes).
Beans can be soaked overnight, or it’s easier to do it on the stovetop while you prepare other ingredients. You may also opt for canned beans if desired.
Once the beans have been soaked, place them into a slow cooker along with smoked ham hocks, andouille sausage, green bell pepper, onion and spices. Your beans will be deliciously smoky and spicy just like the original!
This delicious and straightforward slow cooker recipe is ideal for busy people, especially those on a diet plan. With only a minimal amount of beans, it’s low-glycemic and makes an ideal side dish during phases 2 or 3 of the South Beach Diet.