Description
A hearty and flavorful dish featuring tender red beans simmered with aromatic vegetables and spices, served over fluffy white rice. This classic Red Beans and Rice recipe is perfect for a comforting, wholesome meal that’s easy to prepare and full of rich, smoky flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Beans and Vegetables
- 1 cup dried red kidney beans (or 2 cans of beans)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
Rice
- 1 ½ cups white rice, cooked
Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Beans: If using dried beans, soak them overnight in water to soften. Drain before beginning to cook to ensure even cooking.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery, cooking until they soften, approximately 5 minutes, which builds a flavorful base for the dish.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, enhancing the depth of flavor.
- Simmer Beans and Spices: Add the drained beans, bay leaf, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper to the pot. Pour in the diced tomatoes and vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 1 to 1.5 hours until the beans are tender.
- Season: Remove the bay leaf, season the bean mixture with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the flavors as desired.
- Serve: Spoon the cooked red beans over the bed of fluffy white rice and enjoy this comforting and nutritious meal.
Notes
- Soaking dried beans overnight reduces cooking time and improves digestion.
- Use canned beans to save time; reduce cooking time accordingly.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to control the spiciness level.
- For a non-vegetarian option, add cooked sausage or smoked ham.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and also freeze well.
