Name: Gullah Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Gullah Geechee
Ingredients: 1 lb dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight; 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced; 1 large onion, diced; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 3 celery stalks, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 6 cups chicken broth; 2 bay leaves; 1 tsp thyme; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp bacon fat or vegetable oil; Cooked rice for serving; Green onions for garnish

Slow-simmered red beans with smoked sausage and aromatic vegetables over rice. This Gullah red beans and rice recipe is Monday comfort food.

Ingredients

1 lb dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
1 large onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth
2 bay leaves
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp bacon fat or vegetable oil
Cooked rice for serving
Green onions for garnish

Instructions

Drain soaked beans and rinse. Set aside.
Heat bacon fat in a large pot over medium heat. Cook sausage until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Add onion, bell pepper, and celery to the pot. Cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Add beans, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and creamy.
Return sausage to the pot. Simmer 15 more minutes.
Remove bay leaves. Serve over rice. Garnish with green onions.

💡 Pro Tip: Mash some of the beans against the side of the pot to create a creamier texture. Red beans get better the next day.