Sweet Red Beans New Orleans Style

This authentic New Orleans-style red bean dish captures the soul of Creole cooking with its unique sweet and savory profile. Unlike traditional Cajun recipes that rely heavily on meat, this vegetarian version highlights the natural creaminess of red kidney beans, enriched by butter and a surprising splash of catsup for depth and color. The holy trinity of onions, celery, and bell peppers provides an aromatic foundation, while parsley adds a fresh herbal note. Slow-simmered until thick and tender, these beans are perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a festive Sunday brunch. Serve alongside fluffy steamed rice for a complete, satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. It's simple, economical, and packed with flavor that brings the spirit of the French Quarter to your own kitchen table.

Cooking Method: Steaming, Stewing

Cuisine: Cajun

Courses: Main Courses

Difficulty: Advanced

Servings: 4

Calories: 262

Dietary: Vegetarian

Description

This authentic New Orleans-style red bean dish captures the soul of Creole cooking with its unique sweet and savory profile. Unlike traditional Cajun recipes that rely heavily on meat, this vegetarian version highlights the natural creaminess of red kidney beans, enriched by butter and a surprising splash of catsup for depth and color. The holy trinity of onions, celery, and bell peppers provides an aromatic foundation, while parsley adds a fresh herbal note. Slow-simmered until thick and tender, these beans are perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a festive Sunday brunch. Serve alongside fluffy steamed rice for a complete, satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl. It's simple, economical, and packed with flavor that brings the spirit of the French Quarter to your own kitchen table.

Ingredients

Red beans
Celery, chopped
Garlic, minced
Butter
Catsup
Parsley flakes
Onions, chopped
Bell pepper, chopped
Carrots, peeled and halved
Water
Salt and pepper

Directions

1
Rinse 1 pound of red beans thoroughly and soak them in plenty of cold water overnight.
2
Drain the soaked beans and place them in a large pot with 4 quarts of fresh water.
3
Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the beans begin to soften, about 30-45 minutes.
4
While the beans are cooking, melt 1 stick of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
5
Add 2 chopped onions, 3 ribs of chopped celery, 1/2 chopped bell pepper, and 3 cloves of minced garlic to the skillet.
6
Sauté the vegetables until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
7
Transfer the sautéed vegetable mixture to the pot with the simmering beans.
8
Add 5 large peeled and halved carrots, 5 tablespoons of catsup, and 2 tablespoons of parsley flakes to the pot.
9
Season generously with salt and pepper to taste.
10
Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for another hour, or until the beans are tender and the liquid has reduced slightly.
11
Remove approximately 1 cup of the cooked beans from the pot.
12
Mash the removed beans with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
13
Return the mashed beans to the pot and stir to thicken the consistency.
14
Continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes until the desired thickness is reached.
15
Serve hot alongside steamed rice.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4 quarts

Amount Per Serving
Calories 262kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 21g33%
Saturated Fat 13g65%
Cholesterol 54mg18%
Sodium 256mg11%
Total Carbohydrate 18g6%
Dietary Fiber 5g20%
Sugars 6g
Protein 4g8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/sweet-red-beans-new-orleans-style/