Where to begin with this one? My husband loves Cajun food, and red beans and rice is at the very top of that list. Traditional red beans and rice is made with turkey neck or some other kind of meat cut that will enhance flavor. 

While my way does not have that, it does not cut down on flavor. Using the trinity as the base for your dish ensures that there is no shortage of deliciousness. 

Picking your favorite Cajun seasoning is going to elevate this dish. If you want to make it spicy, you can use andouille sausage instead of smoked. Just keep in mind that the sausage is going to cook down in the broth with the beans, so the heat with leak into the soup, and this may make it too spicy for some people. (Like my kids). 

Enjoy as this is truly a delicious meal!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. dried red beans
• 1 lb. smoked or andouille sausage (cut in medallions)
• 1 green bell pepper (diced)
• 3 stalks celery (diced)

• 1 large yellow onion (diced)

• 4 cloves of garlic (peeled and minced)
• Cajun seasoning (Tony's or Slap Yo Mamma)
• 4 cups chicken broth (I use low-sodium whenever possible)
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups cooked white rice

Instructions

Step 1: Place red beans in a large bowl and cover with at least 2 inches of water. Soak 8-12 hours.

Step 2: Cook the sausage with a small amount of oil in a large Dutch oven. Once almost cooked, add in vegetables except garlic. Once veggies are soft, add in garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).

Step 3: Drain the red beans and rinse. Add to pot with the sausage and vegetables. Cover with the chicken broth and 2 cups of water. Season with the Cajun seasoning to taste. This can be salty, so start small and add more as needed throughout the cooking process.

Step 4: Cook over low heat for 3-4 hours until beans reach texture that you like. Using the back of your spoon, smash down some of the beans. This will help to thicken the red bean mixture. Cook an additional 30 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 5: Assemble! Add 1/2 cup of rice into your bowl. Top with the red beans and rice mixture. Serve with cornbread if desired. Enjoy!