Slow Cooker New Orleans Red Beans with Andouille Sausage

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

Hearty slow-cooked red beans infused with smoked andouille sausage and traditional Creole spices, perfect for a comforting Mardi Gras meal. This American Mardi Gras recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs dry red kidney beans, andouille sausage, and yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner. 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 "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
• 12 oz andouille sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tsp cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 4 cups cooked white rice, to serve

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 lb dry red kidney beans thoroughly and soak in water overnight or quick soak by boiling 5 minutes then resting 1 hour.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and brown 12 oz sliced andouille sausage for 5 minutes until edges crisp; transfer to slow cooker.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté 1 large diced yellow onion, 1 diced green bell pepper, 2 diced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add sautéed vegetables to the slow cooker with soaked beans, 6 cups chicken broth, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 tsp cajun seasoning, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
5. Step 5: Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until beans are tender and creamy, stirring occasionally.
6. Step 6: Remove bay leaves, adjust seasoning if needed, and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
7. Step 7: Serve the red beans hot over 4 cups cooked white rice for a classic Mardi Gras comfort meal.