Indulge in the comforting flavors of the South with this hearty Red Beans and Rice Crock Pot recipe, a true set-it-and-forget-it meal perfect for busy days! Packed with tender, slow-cooked red beans, smoky sausage, and a vibrant medley of aromatic veggies like onion, green bell pepper, and celery, this dish is simmered to perfection with Cajun-inspired spices such as smoked paprika and thyme. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, transforming simple pantry staples into a rich and flavorful meal served over fluffy white rice. Ideal for family dinners or meal prepping, this easy one-pot recipe is a timeless classic thatβs as budget-friendly as it is satisfying. Donβt forget a garnish of fresh green onions for a vibrant finishing touch! Keywords: red beans and rice crock pot, slow cooker red beans, Cajun-style recipe, easy dinner idea, Southern comfort food.
Rinse and sort the dried red beans, removing any debris or damaged beans.
If desired, soak the beans overnight in water. Drain before use. (This step reduces cooking time but is optional as the beans will soften during slow cooking.)
Slice the smoked sausage into 1/4-inch rounds. Alternatively, dice it if you prefer smaller pieces.
Dice the yellow onion, green bell pepper, and celery stalks. Mince the garlic cloves.
In the crock pot, combine the red beans, sausage, onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic.
Pour in the chicken broth and water, stirring to combine.
Add the bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4β5 hours, until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally if possible.
About 30 minutes before the beans are done, prepare the rice according to the package instructions.
Once the beans are fully cooked and tender, remove the bay leaves from the crock pot and taste. Adjust seasonings as needed (e.g., salt, black pepper, or cajun seasoning).
Serve the red beans over the cooked rice, garnished with chopped green onions if desired.
Calories |
3159 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 94.0 g | 121% | |
| Saturated Fat | 32.0 g | 160% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 238 mg | 79% | |
| Sodium | 6741 mg | 293% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 408.4 g | 149% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 79.0 g | 282% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.7 g | ||
| Protein | 176.3 g | 353% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 720 mg | 55% | |
| Iron | 34.0 mg | 189% | |
| Potassium | 8706 mg | 185% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.