Southern Red Beans and Rice With Sausage – A Louisiana Comfort Food Classic

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This dish is already filling enough to be a complete meal.

But if you're preparing a larger Southern-style dinner, there are plenty of delicious sides that pair well with it.

Try serving it with:

  • Cornbread
  • Buttermilk biscuits
  • Collard greens
  • Mustard greens
  • Fried okra
  • Green beans
  • Coleslaw
  • Simple garden salad
  • French bread

A piece of warm cornbread is especially good for soaking up the creamy sauce left at the bottom of the bowl.

Easy Recipe Variations

Make It Spicier

Add extra cayenne, hot sauce, or a little more Cajun seasoning.

Make It Milder

Reduce the cayenne and choose a milder smoked sausage.

Guests who like more heat can always add hot sauce at the table.

Add Ham

Diced smoked ham can add another layer of savory flavor.

Add a Ham Hock

For an old-fashioned smoky flavor, some cooks simmer the beans with a ham hock.

Remove it before serving and, if desired, shred any usable meat back into the beans.

Make It Without Sausage

You can leave out the sausage and build flavor with vegetables, herbs, spices, and vegetable broth for a meatless variation.

How to Store Leftovers

Red beans and rice make excellent leftovers.

Allow the food to cool, then transfer it to airtight containers and refrigerate promptly.

For best texture, consider storing the beans and rice separately. This prevents the rice from continuing to absorb the bean sauce while sitting in the refrigerator.

Reheat until thoroughly hot before serving.

If the beans have thickened considerably overnight, stir in a small splash of water or broth while reheating.

Can You Freeze Red Beans and Rice?

Yes.

The red bean mixture freezes particularly well.

Allow it to cool completely and divide it into freezer-safe portions.

Freeze the beans separately from freshly cooked rice when possible.

When you're ready to eat, thaw the beans safely in the refrigerator and reheat them thoroughly on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Prepare a fresh batch of rice and spoon the reheated beans over the top.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

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