1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Southern Red Beans Dish

Southern Red Beans Dish

Featured in Main Meals Everyone Enjoys.

Start with soaked red beans for a creamy texture. Sauté the holy trinity of cooking—onions, celery, and bell peppers—with garlic and smoky sausage. Add Cajun spices, thyme, and smoked paprika to the beans, letting them slowly cook until rich and creamy. Spoon over fluffy white rice, sprinkle some fresh herbs, and enjoy a comforting Southern meal. This makes great meal prep since it tastes even better the next day!
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Una donna con un cappello a coda di cavallo e un vestito nero.
Updated on Thu, 27 Mar 2025 22:26:16 GMT
Southern Red Beans with Sausage Dinner Pin it
Southern Red Beans with Sausage Dinner | kylierecipes.com

Watch as steam floats up from a bubbling pot of soft red beans, cooked slowly with flavorful sausage till they form a thick, smooth sauce. This beloved Southern dish carries on the tradition of countless home cooks who knew that real taste needs time and care. Every bite brings comfort, with beans so soft they practically dissolve into the light, airy rice underneath.

I first fell in love with this dish during family dinners at my grandma's, where beans were always quietly simmering in the background of our get-togethers. Even today, when I smell beans and sausage cooking low and slow, I'm taken right back to those special afternoons in her kitchen.

Essential Ingredients

  • Dried Red Beans: Let them soak overnight for smooth cooking and better texture.
  • Andouille Sausage: Brings smoky goodness to your pot.
  • Veggie Base: Onion, celery, and bell pepper work together for flavor.
  • Good Chicken Stock: Makes everything more flavorful and juicy.
  • Chopped Garlic: Adds punch and aroma.
  • Top-notch Cajun Seasoning: Gives that spicy kick and Southern character.

Making Incredible Beans

Getting Started:
Clean your work area and put everything you'll need close by. Check through beans for tiny rocks or bad ones. Cut all veggies the same size so they cook evenly. Use your heaviest cooking pot for steady heat.
Veggie Base:
Warm olive oil until it's shiny. Toss in your diced onions, celery, and peppers, giving them a stir now and then until they're soft and onions turn see-through.
Adding Sausage:
Put in sliced andouille and let it get a bit browned to release its smoky taste into the oil. Those little brown bits stuck to the bottom will make everything tastier.
Putting It Together:
Drop in your soaked beans plus fresh stock, spices, and herbs. Bring it up to a gentle bubble, keeping the heat just right for slow, steady cooking.
Tasty Southern Red Beans and Rice Dish Pin it
Tasty Southern Red Beans and Rice Dish | kylierecipes.com

Tasty Companions

Spoon these beans over a pile of white rice and watch as the sauce seeps down into it. Put some hot sauce on the table for folks who want extra kick. Fresh cornbread on the side is just perfect for wiping your plate clean.

Customize It

Tweak this dish your way by changing how spicy you make it or trying different kinds of sausage. Throw in a ham hock for more smoky flavor, or go meatless with smoked paprika instead.

Keeping Leftovers

This dish actually tastes better the next day after all the flavors have had time to mix. Keep what's left in a sealed container for up to five days. When you warm it back up, add a splash of stock if it looks too thick.

Mouthwatering Southern Red Beans and Rice Dish Pin it
Mouthwatering Southern Red Beans and Rice Dish | kylierecipes.com

After making this dish for years, it's grown to mean more than just food in my home. It stands for Southern warmth, the value of slow cooking, and the happiness that comes from sharing meals with family. Each time I cook these beans, I remember that some recipes aren't just about following steps—they're about keeping old traditions going and making new memories around our dinner table.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is soaking the beans overnight necessary?
Overnight soaking is best for even cooking. In a pinch, you can bring the beans to a boil for 2 minutes, then let them rest covered for 1 hour.
→ Which smoked sausage should I use?
Andouille is a great choice, but kielbasa or even turkey sausage work well too.
→ Can this be made in a slow cooker?
Sure. After sautéing the veggies and sausage, transfer to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the beans soften.
→ What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Keep cooled leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The flavors get even better over time.
→ Is it freezer-friendly?
Absolutely! Freeze the cooked beans (without rice) for up to 3 months. Cook fresh rice when reheating for the best texture.

Southern Red Beans Dish

Tender red beans simmered with smoky sausage, veggies, and bold Cajun spices, served over rice for a hearty Southern meal.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
120 Minutes
Total Time
140 Minutes
By: Kylie

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Southern/Cajun

Yield: 6 Servings (6 hearty portions)

Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Base Components

01 Two cups of cooked white rice, set aside
02 One pound of dried red beans, soaked in water overnight

→ Veggies and Aromas

03 One green bell pepper, chopped small
04 Three garlic cloves, finely chopped
05 A medium onion, diced up
06 A couple of celery stalks, chopped up finely

→ Meats and Liquids

07 Four cups of chicken stock
08 Eight ounces of smoked sausage, cut into thick slices
09 One tablespoon of olive oil for cooking

→ Spices and Extras

10 A teaspoon of dried thyme
11 A small bay leaf
12 A teaspoon of smoked paprika
13 Salt and pepper - add as needed
14 A couple teaspoons of Cajun spice mix
15 A handful of green onions or chopped parsley for topping

Instructions

Step 01

Warm some olive oil in a large, heavy pot over medium heat. Toss in the diced onion, celery, and bell peppers. Stir often, cooking until they’re soft and fragrant – about 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 02

Scoot the veggies to the side and add your sausage rounds and chopped garlic. Let the sausage brown up slightly and the garlic release its amazing smell, about 2 or 3 minutes.

Step 03

Pour in the soaked beans and chicken broth. Mix in the seasonings: Cajun spice, thyme, paprika, salt, pepper, and the bay leaf. Crank up the heat until it comes to a boil.

Step 04

Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cover. Cook for about 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring every so often. If it starts to dry out, pour in a bit more broth or water to keep the beans from drying out.

Step 05

When your beans are soft and creamy, pull out the bay leaf and give it a taste. Adjust the spices if needed, adding a little more seasoning as you prefer.

Step 06

Spoon the cooked beans over your warm, fluffy rice. Garnish with chopped green onions or fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and flavor.

Notes

  1. Flavors deepen overnight, so leftovers taste even better.
  2. Soaking the beans first is a must! They’ll cook faster and be perfectly tender.
  3. For extra nutrients, add a handful of spinach or kale near the end of cooking.

Tools You'll Need

  • A heavy pot or Dutch oven
  • Chopping board and sharp knife
  • Measuring tools for cups and spoons
  • Separate pot or rice cooker for rice preparation

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 420
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 65 g
  • Protein: 22 g