According to lore, people traditionally made this classic New Orleans dish on Mondays to coincide with laundry day. True or not, it’s definitely a bowl of steamy comfort worth waiting at least the length of one spin cycle. Creamy, smoky and slightly spicy, it will fill your home with mouth-watering anticipation while it bubbles on the stove.
Traditionally this recipe calls for red kidney beans, although it adapts well to many different types of bean. I used the Rancho Gordo Lila Bean, a pretty pink-purple variety.
Our Hot Cajun Blackening Spice adds notes of oregano and thyme along with a medium level of heat from cayenne. The resulting stew is mildly spicy; add more cayenne to produce a spicier version. Serve over steamed long-grain rice.
Place the beans in a large bowl and cover with water. Soak for four hours or overnight. Drain and rinse.
Heat the oil over medium heat in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. When the oil is hot, add the sausage and cook until browned, about 8 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pot using a slotted spoon and set aside.
In the same pot, add the diced onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the smoked paprika and the Cajun seasoning and cook until aromatic, about another minute.
Add the drained beans and the 6 cups of water to the pot. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to low and simmer, covered, until the beans are tender -- an hour or more, depending on soaking time and bean freshness.
Once the beans are tender, remove the lid and add the sausage to the pot. Add salt to taste. Continue to simmer on medium-low until the liquid becomes thicker and creamier, about 30 to 40 minutes.
Once the red beans have thickened, add more salt to taste if needed. Stir in the apple cider vinegar. Serve over steamed white rice and garnish with parsley if desired.
Cajun Red Beans and Rice
COMMENTS
Evan on
Hi Again, Bella! Happy to help!
For the andouille, it depends whether the main issue is finding it at all, or finding it pre-cooked. In the CA Bay Area, I’ve had luck with a brand called Aidell’s that sells precooked sausages and has an andouille product. At this link you can see if they are in any stores near you: https://www.aidells.com/where-to-buy-and-try/ It looks like it’s available in many sores and locations outside of California other areas as well. There is also a brand called Richard’s that seems to be available in New England, Georgia, and Florida. They have a store locator for their products on their website as well!
If you are able to find andouille, but it is not pre cooked, that would be fine as long as you cook it for a longer period of time.
Olive and Avocado oil are both good substitutes for the vegetable oil.
Let us know if we can help with anything else!
Cheers,
Evan (they/them)
Customer Success Lead
Oaktown Spice Shop
Bella on
Can you use olive oil or avocado oil instead of vegetable oil?
Bella on
Thank for the reply above!
I had another question. Can you purchase Andouille fully cooked at the store? Having a hard time finding it.
Evan on
Hi Bella,
Thank you for your comment! This recipe should freeze very well. Happy cooking!
Evan (they/them)
Customer Success Lead
Oaktown Spice Shop
Bella on
Can you tell me if you can freeze this dish? Thank you.
Hi Again, Bella! Happy to help!
For the andouille, it depends whether the main issue is finding it at all, or finding it pre-cooked. In the CA Bay Area, I’ve had luck with a brand called Aidell’s that sells precooked sausages and has an andouille product. At this link you can see if they are in any stores near you: https://www.aidells.com/where-to-buy-and-try/ It looks like it’s available in many sores and locations outside of California other areas as well. There is also a brand called Richard’s that seems to be available in New England, Georgia, and Florida. They have a store locator for their products on their website as well!
If you are able to find andouille, but it is not pre cooked, that would be fine as long as you cook it for a longer period of time.
Olive and Avocado oil are both good substitutes for the vegetable oil.
Let us know if we can help with anything else!
Cheers,
Evan (they/them)
Customer Success Lead
Oaktown Spice Shop