Slow-Cooked Creole Red Beans with Andouille and Smoked Paprika
A comforting Creole dish of slow-simmered red beans infused with smoky andouille sausage, spices, and a rich vegetable base, perfect for a hearty meal. This cajun-inspired slow cooker ready in about 195 minutes pairs sliced andouille sausage, large, diced yellow onion, diced celery stalks 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 large, diced yellow onion
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp (optional) hot sauce
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1/4 cup for garnish chopped green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add 12 oz sliced andouille sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned and fragrant. Remove sausage and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large diced yellow onion, 2 diced celery stalks, and 1 medium diced green bell pepper. Sauté for 7-8 minutes until softened. Add 4 cloves minced garlic, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 2 bay leaves; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb soaked and drained dry red kidney beans and 6 cups chicken broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 2 to 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally until beans are tender and creamy.
- Step 4: Return the browned andouille sausage to the pot along with 1 tbsp hot sauce if using. Simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes to thicken. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaves before serving. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped green onions and serve over steamed white rice or with crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Creole Red Beans with Andouille and Smoked Paprika take to make?
Total time is about 195 minutes (15 min prep + 180 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 Slow-Cooked Creole Red Beans with Andouille and Smoked Paprika?
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 Slow-Cooked Creole Red Beans with Andouille and Smoked Paprika?
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 Slow-Cooked Creole Red Beans with Andouille and Smoked Paprika 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 Slow-Cooked Creole Red Beans with Andouille and Smoked Paprika?
Cajun slow cooker 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.
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