Mardi Gras Rice Beans Sausage (Printable)
Festive Creole dish featuring smoky sausage, red beans, and fragrant vegetables for comforting meals.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 12 oz smoked andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
→ Beans
02 - 14 oz canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Grains
07 - 1 1/4 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
→ Liquids
08 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 1 teaspoon paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
12 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
15 - 1 teaspoon salt
16 - 2 bay leaves
→ Garnish
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
18 - 2 spring onions, sliced
# Steps:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add sliced andouille sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove sausage from pot and set aside on a plate.
02 - Add chopped onion, diced bell pepper, and celery to the same pot. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until vegetables are softened and translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Return the browned sausage to the pot. Add rinsed rice, paprika, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to coat the rice and sausage evenly with the spices.
04 - Pour in chicken broth and add bay leaves. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover pot and simmer for 15 minutes until rice begins to absorb liquid.
05 - Gently stir in kidney beans. Cover and continue cooking for 10 to 12 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is fully absorbed.
06 - Remove pot from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Fluff rice with a fork and garnish with fresh parsley and sliced spring onions. Serve hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- One pot does all the work, leaving you with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor
- The combination of smoky sausage, creamy beans, and perfectly spiced rice hits every comfort food craving
- It feeds a crowd beautifully and tastes even better the next day
02 -
- Resist every urge to lift the lid while the rice simmers, as escaping steam will ruin the texture
- The resting period is not optional, it is when the rice finishes cooking and becomes fluffy rather than gummy
- If your rice is still crunchy after the liquid absorbs, splash in 2 tablespoons of broth, cover, and cook 5 more minutes
03 -
- Cook the vegetables until they are almost meltingly soft, not just tender, this creates a silkier base
- Use a heavy pot with a tight fitting lid to maintain even temperature and prevent steam from escaping