Healthy Red Beans and Rice

This take on the classic Cajun red beans and rice dish uses turkey sausage to cut some of the fat from more-traditional versions.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 362 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 cups cooked white rice
• 1 pound dried red beans
• 1 cup finely chopped onions
• 2 quarts hot water
• 1 pound smoked turkey sausage, cut into chunks
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup finely chopped celery
• 0.5 cup finely chopped green bell pepper

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Serve over cooked rice.

Step 2

Put red beans in a large pot with enough water to cover by several inches. Soak 8 hours to overnight.

Step 3

Drain and rinse beans. Pour hot water into the pot. Add beans, sausage, onions, bell pepper, celery, cayenne pepper, salt, and bay leaf to the pot; stir. Place pot over medium heat, put a cover on the pot, and simmer, stirring frequently, for 30 minutes.

Step 4

Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking at a simmer until the beans are tender, about 30 minutes more. Remove and discard bay leaf.