Gullah Red Rice

This Gullah red rice is one of Charleston's best dishes, and brought over by enslaved Africans to the Lowcountry region of coastal South Carolina.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 55 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 309 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 cups uncooked parboiled (converted) rice
• 2 smoked sausage links, sliced
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce (such as Hunt's®)
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato paste (such as Hunt's®)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Pour tomato sauce and tomato paste into the same pot, along with 1 cup water. Bring to a boil; add rice, sugar, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring back to a boil; reduce heat and let simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until liquid has evaporated and rice is tender, about 25 minutes.

Step 4

Place bacon in a pot and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Add bell pepper and onion to bacon grease and sauté over medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes. Add sausage and cook and stir until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove mixture from the pan to a bowl.

Step 5

Transfer rice mixture to a 9x13-inch baking pan. Cover with foil.