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Authentic Slow Cooker Cajun Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage

Close-up of a bowl of creamy slow cooker red beans and rice topped with sliced andouille sausage and green onions.
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Make classic Louisiana home cooking simple with this hands-off slow cooker red beans and rice recipe. It uses the Holy Trinity and smoked sausage for deep, comforting flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried red kidney beans, rinsed and picked over
  • 1 pound smoked andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your heat preference)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Cooked white rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. If you did not soak the beans overnight, rinse the dried red kidney beans well. Place the rinsed beans in your slow cooker.
  2. Add the sliced andouille sausage, chopped onion, bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic to the slow cooker.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth. Stir all ingredients together gently.
  4. Add the thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf. Stir again to combine.
  5. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the beans are very tender.
  6. Remove the bay leaf. Taste the mixture and add salt and pepper as needed. If the mixture is too thin, remove the lid and cook on HIGH for the last 30 minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate.
  7. Serve the red beans and rice hot over cooked white rice. This makes a great meal prep red beans and rice option.

Notes

  • For the most authentic texture, soak the dried red kidney beans in water overnight, drain them, and then add them to the slow cooker. This reduces the cooking time slightly.
  • If you do not have andouille sausage, you can substitute smoked sausage or ham hocks for a similar flavor profile in this Cajun dinner idea crockpot recipe.
  • This recipe is a perfect set it and forget it dinner for an easy weeknight slow cooker meal.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://seventhflavour.com/slow-cooker-red-beans-and-rice/