Slow-Cooked Soulful Red Beans with Andouille Sausage

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty slow-cooked Creole-inspired red beans and sausage stew that simmers with soulful spices and smoky flavors. This creole-inspired slow cooker ready in about 435 minutes pairs andouille sausage, sliced, yellow onion, diced, medium celery stalks, diced 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 420 min Serves 6 Creole cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Drain and rinse 1 lb dried red kidney beans soaked overnight. In a large slow cooker, heat 2 tbsp olive oil on sauté mode or in a skillet over medium heat. Add 12 oz sliced andouille sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 cup diced yellow onion, 2 diced celery stalks, 1 diced green bell pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the sausage. Sauté together for 4-5 minutes until vegetables soften and become aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Transfer mixture to slow cooker if using skillet. Add soaked beans, 6 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir to combine.
  4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beans are tender and stew is thickened, stirring occasionally.
  5. Step 5: Remove bay leaves, sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley on top, and serve over steamed rice or with crusty bread.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Soulful Red Beans with Andouille Sausage take to make?

Total time is about 435 minutes (15 min prep + 420 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 Soulful Red Beans 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 Slow-Cooked Soulful Red Beans 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 Slow-Cooked Soulful Red Beans 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 Slow-Cooked Soulful Red Beans with Andouille Sausage?

Creole 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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