Red beans and rice #2
This authentic Red Beans and Rice is a comforting bowl of Southern soul. Slow-simmered with smoked sausage and ham shanks, the dish develops a deep, savory flavor profile enriched by the classic "holy trinity" of onions, celery, and green peppers. The addition of dried thyme, sage, and bay leaf creates an aromatic warmth that permeates every bite. The beans become luxuriously tender, while a small portion of mashed beans is stirred back in to create a naturally thick, velvety sauce. Served over fluffy white rice, this dish is perfect for cozy family dinners, lazy Sunday brunches, or as a satisfying meal prep option that tastes even better the next day. It’s simple, rustic, and deeply satisfying.
Description
This authentic Red Beans and Rice is a comforting bowl of Southern soul. Slow-simmered with smoked sausage and ham shanks, the dish develops a deep, savory flavor profile enriched by the classic "holy trinity" of onions, celery, and green peppers. The addition of dried thyme, sage, and bay leaf creates an aromatic warmth that permeates every bite. The beans become luxuriously tender, while a small portion of mashed beans is stirred back in to create a naturally thick, velvety sauce. Served over fluffy white rice, this dish is perfect for cozy family dinners, lazy Sunday brunches, or as a satisfying meal prep option that tastes even better the next day. It’s simple, rustic, and deeply satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 lb red beans
- 1.5 lb smoked sausage, sliced
- 0.5 lb smoked ham shanks
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 medium green pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried thyme, crumbled
- 1 tsp ground pepper
- 0.5 tsp ground sage
- 1 leaf bay leaf
- to taste salt
- freshly cooked rice, for serving
Directions
- 1 Place the red beans in a large Dutch oven and cover generously with water. Let soak for 30 minutes to begin softening the beans.
- 2
Add the smoked sausage, ham shanks, onion, green pepper, celery, garlic, thyme, ground pepper, sage, and bay leaf to the Dutch oven. Do not add salt yet.- 3
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer.- 4
Simmer until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded, adding more water if necessary to keep the beans submerged. This should take about 2 1/2 hours.- 5
Season with salt to taste. Remove the ham shanks from the pot. Once cooled enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones, chop it into bite-sized pieces, and return it to the pot.- 6
Remove the bay leaf.- 7
Ladle out about 3 tablespoons of the beans and liquid into a small bowl. Mash them into a smooth paste.- 8
Return the bean paste to the Dutch oven and stir well to thicken the mixture.- 9
Simmer uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to allow the flavors to deepen and the sauce to thicken slightly.- 10
Serve hot over freshly cooked white rice.NoteStorage: This dish keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. The flavors often improve after a day or two.
Substitutions: You can use dried kidney beans instead of red beans. If you don't have ham shanks, you can substitute with more smoked sausage or add a smoked turkey wing for a different flavor profile.
Tips: For a thicker consistency without mashing beans, you can blend a small portion of the stew in a blender before returning it to the pot. Always taste before adding salt, as the smoked meats contribute significant sodium.
red beans, rice, cajun, creole, smoked sausage, ham hocks, comfort food, slow cooker, stew, vegetarian option, louisiana, thyme, garlic, onion, celery, green pepper, dinner, meal prep, hearty, southern cooking - 2