Mardi Gras Rice Beans Beef (Printable version)
A vibrant Creole dish with smoky sausage, beans, and aromatic vegetables for lively meals.
# What you need:
→ Meats
01 - 12 oz beef sausage (smoked or andouille), sliced
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
→ Beans & Rice
06 - 1 can (14 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
08 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
12 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
14 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
15 - 1/2 tsp salt
16 - 2 bay leaves
17 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
18 - 2 spring onions, sliced (for garnish)
# How To:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced beef sausage and cook for 3–4 minutes until browned. Remove sausage and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. Cook for 1 minute to release flavors.
04 - Add the rice to the pot and stir to coat with the vegetables and spices.
05 - Pour in the broth, add bay leaves, and bring to a boil.
06 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
07 - Stir in the beans and the reserved sausage. Cover and continue to simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally and add a bit more broth or water if needed.
08 - Remove bay leaves. Fluff the rice with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with chopped parsley and spring onions. Serve hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The smoky sausage and spices create layers of flavor that develop beautifully as everything simmers together
- It's a complete meal in one pot, perfect for feeding a crowd or having leftovers for days
02 -
- If the rice seems too dry before it's fully cooked, add more broth or water in small increments
- Letting the dish rest covered for 5 minutes off the heat helps the flavors meld and the rice finish steaming
03 -
- Rinse your rice until the water runs clear to prevent gummy results
- Let the pot sit covered for 5 minutes after cooking before fluffing for perfect texture