Authentic New Orleans Red Beans and Rice

This New Orleans red beans and rice recipe uses dried red beans with smoked sausage and Creole seasoning to make a Southern comfort food favorite.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 hr 10 mins
• Total Time: 5 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 465 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 white onion, chopped
• 8 cups water
• 3 cups cooked white rice
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 pound dried red beans
• 1 dash hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco®), or to taste
• 1 tablespoon shortening, or as needed
• 1 smoked ham hock
• 1 pound smoked sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning (such as Tony Chachere's®)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Melt shortening in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion, bell pepper, and garlic in hot shortening until tender, 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 2

Combine water, red beans, and ham hock in a large pot; bring to a boil. Stir onion mixture into the pot; add smoked sausage and celery. Return to a boil. Stir bay leaves, Creole seasoning, thyme, and sage into boiling water. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer until beans are tender, about 5 hours.

Step 3

Remove and discard ham hock and bay leaves; stir in hot pepper sauce and serve over white rice.

Step 4

Gather the ingredients.