Cajun-Spiced Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage
A comforting classic Louisiana dish of slow-simmered red beans with smoky andouille sausage, served over fluffy white rice. This american southern-inspired rice & grains ready in about 135 minutes pairs andouille sausage, sliced, large yellow onion, diced, medium green bell pepper, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, rinsed and soaked overnight dry red kidney beans
- 12 oz andouille sausage, sliced
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 2 stalks celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 2 for garnish scallions, sliced
- optional, for serving hot sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Drain and rinse 1 lb soaked red kidney beans. In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat and sauté 1 large diced yellow onion, 1 diced green bell pepper, 2 diced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 12 oz sliced andouille sausage, 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 2 bay leaves to the pot. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently to brown the sausage lightly.
- Step 3: Stir in the rinsed beans and pour 6 cups chicken broth over everything. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and the mixture thickens.
- Step 4: While beans cook, rinse 2 cups long grain white rice under cold water until clear. Cook according to package instructions to yield fluffy rice.
- Step 5: Season the beans with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves before serving.
- Step 6: Serve the red beans spooned generously over the cooked white rice, garnished with 2 sliced scallions and hot sauce on the side if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cajun-Spiced Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage take to make?
Total time is about 135 minutes (15 min prep + 120 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cajun-Spiced Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep andouille sausage, sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cajun-Spiced Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cajun-Spiced Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cajun-Spiced Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage?
American Southern rice & grains like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.