Red Beans and Rice Crock Pot

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 that’s as budget-friendly as it is satisfying. Don’t 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.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:500 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried red beans
• 12 ounces smoked sausage
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1 medium green bell pepper
• 2 celery stalks
• 3 garlic cloves
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups white rice
• 2 green onions (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and sort the dried red beans, removing any debris or damaged beans.

Step 2

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.)

Step 3

Slice the smoked sausage into 1/4-inch rounds. Alternatively, dice it if you prefer smaller pieces.

Step 4

Dice the yellow onion, green bell pepper, and celery stalks. Mince the garlic cloves.

Step 5

In the crock pot, combine the red beans, sausage, onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic.

Step 6

Pour in the chicken broth and water, stirring to combine.

Step 7

Add the bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.

Step 8

Cover the crock pot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4–5 hours, until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally if possible.

Step 9

About 30 minutes before the beans are done, prepare the rice according to the package instructions.

Step 10

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).

Step 11

Serve the red beans over the cooked rice, garnished with chopped green onions if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2950.1 grams (2950.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3159

Total Fat 94.00g	121%
Saturated Fat 32.00g	160%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 238mg	79%
Sodium 6741mg	293%
Total Carbohydrate 408.40g	149%
Dietary Fiber 79.00g	282%
Total Sugars 26.70g
Protein 176.30g	353%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 720mg	55%
Iron 34mg	189%
Potassium 8706mg	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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 26.6%

Protein: 22.1%

Carbs: 51.3%