Cajun Ninja Red Beans and Rice Recipe
If you love bold Southern flavors, this Cajun Ninja Red Beans and Rice Recipe is perfect.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried red kidney beans soaked overnight
- 12 oz smoked sausage sliced
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups chicken broth or water
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
Soak Beans
- Rinse and soak dried beans overnight in water. Drain and rinse before cooking.
Cook Sausage
- Heat oil in a large pot. Cook sliced sausage until browned. Remove and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables
- In the same pot, sauté onion, bell pepper and celery for 5 minutes until soft.
Add Garlic
- Add minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant. Stir continuously.
Add Beans and Broth
- Return sausage to pot. Add beans, broth, bay leaves and all seasonings. Stir well.
Simmer Slowly
- Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 1–1.5 hours. Stir occasionally.
Mash for Creaminess
- Mash some beans against the pot side. This thickens the mixture naturally.
Adjust Seasoning
- Taste and add salt if needed. Remove bay leaves before serving.
Prepare Rice
- Cook white rice according to package instructions while beans finish cooking.
Serve and Garnish
- Serve beans over rice. Top with chopped green onions and extra Cajun seasoning if desired.
Notes
- Use Andouille sausage for authentic Cajun flavor.
- Add a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
- Substitute ham hock for deeper smoky taste.
- Use canned beans to save time. Reduce cooking time accordingly.
- Let dish rest 10 minutes before serving for thicker texture.