Creole-Spiced Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage
Slow-simmered red beans infused with Creole spices and smoky andouille sausage, served over fluffy white rice for a comforting meal. This cajun-inspired rice & grains ready in about 125 minutes pairs sliced andouille sausage, chopped yellow onion, chopped celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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, soaked overnight and drained dry red kidney beans
- 12 oz, sliced andouille sausage
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp Creole seasoning
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups uncooked long grain white rice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1/4 cup for garnish chopped green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 12 oz sliced andouille sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup chopped yellow onion, 1/2 cup chopped celery, 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until vegetables are soft and aromatic.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 lb soaked and drained dry red kidney beans, 2 tbsp Creole seasoning, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 2 bay leaves.
- Step 4: Pour in 6 cups vegetable broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until beans are tender and creamy.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, cook 2 cups uncooked long grain white rice according to package instructions.
- Step 6: Remove bay leaves, season the beans with salt and black pepper to taste, and mash some beans with the back of a spoon to thicken the mixture.
- Step 7: Serve the red beans over cooked white rice and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped green onions.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Creole-Spiced Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage take to make?
Total time is about 125 minutes (15 min prep + 110 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 Creole-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 sliced andouille sausage from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creole-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 Creole-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 Creole-Spiced Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage?
Cajun 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.