Slow Cooker Mardi Gras Red Beans with Andouille and Cajun Spices

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-24 · Updated 2026-04-24

Classic Louisiana-style red beans slow-cooked with smoky andouille sausage, aromatic Cajun spices, and vegetables for a comforting Mardi Gras dish. This American Mardi Gras recipe, ready in about 495 minutes, pairs dry red kidney beans, andouille sausage, and yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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 dry red kidney beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
• 1 lb andouille sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper
• for serving uncooked white rice
• 2 tbsp chopped green onions, for garnish
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Drain 1 lb soaked dry red kidney beans and add to a slow cooker along with 1 lb sliced andouille sausage, 1 large diced yellow onion, 1 diced green bell pepper, 2 diced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves.
2. Step 2: Pour in 6 cups chicken broth and stir in 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 2 bay leaves.
3. Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until beans are tender and flavors meld.
4. Step 4: Remove bay leaves and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
5. Step 5: Serve hot over cooked white rice, garnished with 2 tbsp chopped green onions and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley for a classic Mardi Gras meal.