How to Make Authentic Southern Style Red Beans & Rice!

Southern style Red Beans & Rice are what comfort meals are all about. On Sundays, my grandmother would make a huge pot of southern style red beans with some white rice and warm buttery cornbread.

Once I started making this recipe for my family, I started adding turkey meat to the pot. When I tell you that it takes that authentic southern flavor to the next level, I’m not lying.

• This is such a versatile recipe. You can eat it either as a main dish traditionally or a side dish.
• Adding turkey enhance the flavor.
• This recipe is a true southern staple. It can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a buttery piece of cornbread and some fried chicken.

• Red Kidney Beans– These are my personal preference for this recipe. Because of the bean’s naturally large size, they’ll retain their shape during the cooking process.
• Andouille Sausages– Andouille sausages are typically seasoned with spices traditional of New Orleans based cuisine (i.e.- cayenne pepper, red chili flake, garlic, onion, and smoked paprika. When you cook the sausage in the pot, you’re helping to build essential flavor.
• Onions, Bell Pepper, & Celery– I mean, did you think we were going to do a traditional New Orleans based dish without the holy trinity? This is essential in making red beans, gumbo, jambalaya, pretty much any dish within this region.
• Chicken Broth– Whether homemade or store bought, broth is essential in the flavor building process. I typically go for a lower sodium broth if it’s store bought since the seasonings used will be a bit on the saltier side.

• Soak your beans in water overnight. Actually, this isn’t just a best practice, it’s absolutely necessary! Soaking the beans allows the complex carbs to break down and makes the cooking process much faster.
• Sear all of your protein (the sausages and turkey meat if using it). The sear essentially helps to build flavor and once that pan is deglazed, it will create such an amazing flavor you can’t get just from seasoning.

Print Recipe

How to Make Authentic Southern Style Red Beans & Rice!

Author: Patrick Lee Courses: Dinner, Lunch

Difficulty: Intermediate Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 1 hr Total Time 1 hr 15 mins

Servings: 8

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

A delicious take on a true southern classic. These red beans and rice are full of savory flavor and is the epitome of comfort food.

Ingredients

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Servings

• 1 pack red kidney beans
• 2 turkey wings
• 2 turkey drumsticks
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp applewood seasoning
• 1 tbsp all purpose seasoning and Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 pack Andouille Sausages
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp olive oil for searing
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 4 stalks of celery diced
• 1 large yellow onion diced
• 6 cloves of garlic minced
• 12 About cups of chicken broth
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp complete seasoning
• 1 packet Sazon
• Cajun seasoning
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions

1. Soak the beans in a large bowl overnight.
2. Season the turkey with salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, smoked paprika, Applewood seasoning and Cajun and all purpose seasonings.
3. Let it marinate overnight.
4. In a large pot or Dutch oven, add 2 tbsp of olive oil
5. Sear your sausages until they get a bit of color on both sides.
6. Remove then add the turkey.
7. Sear the turkey just to give the skin some crisp and remove from the pan.
8. Add the celery, peppers, onions, and garlic. Cook until translucent
9. Add the turkey back to the pan and cover with about 6 cups of chicken broth.
10. Simmer on medium for about two hours until the turkey falls off the bone.
11. Add the beans and sausage to the pot and cook for 30-45 minutes.
12. Add remaining broth.
13. Add remaining seasonings and simmer on medium high until the beans become tender.
14. Serve with white rice and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8

Keywords: red beans and rice, dinner, dinner ideas, soul food

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