Crockpot Red Beans and Rice is a classic Creole dish that serves up savory Andouille sausage mixed with fluffy rice and a host of herbs and spices. Easy comfort food at its best!
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Red Beans and Rice with Sausage
This flavor-packed recipe is made for the slow cooker! Plump red beans and salty sausage in a savory chicken broth, served up with a side of rice for a super satisfying bite!
Cooking red beans and rice in the crockpot allows all the flavors to develop into a rich and delicious meal! Simple to make and it’s gluten free!
Looking for other easy dinner ideas? Why not also try my Shrimp Creole and Chicken Sausage Gumbo.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe for Red Beans and Rice:
- SAVORY: Made with Andouille sausage and an addictive mix of spices, this dish is so satisfyingly savory!
- GREAT FOR MEAL PLANNING: Perfect for meal prep, you can easily freeze a big batch and voila – easy weeknight dinner!
- EASY: Made mainly with kitchen staples, just throw the ingredients into the slow cooker – then set and forget!
Filling and flavor-packed, rice and beans has never been so tasty!
How to Make Red Beans and Rice in a Crockpot
You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!
- Add all your ingredients to the slow cooker and stir until combined.
- Cook on high for 6-8 hours.
- Serve and enjoy!
Truly so simple to make! Prep your ingredients ahead of time, so they’re ready to throw into the cooker.
Many people think kidney beans and red beans are the same, but they’re not! Kidney beans are much larger than red beans and have darker skin. Red beans are almost pink in color and more oblong-shaped, while kidney beans are shaped like, well, kidneys. Fortunately, for this recipe, you can use either bean!
Unfortunately, kidney beans are not safe to eat unless they have been fully cooked. Fully cooked kidney beans are tender and creamy, and some of them may even split open. If you accidentally eat undercooked kidney beans, you may experience gastrointestinal upset or vomiting. If these symptoms are severe or persistent, it’s a good idea to visit the ER.
Yes, you can use canned kidney beans in this recipe. Simply reduce the cooking time to 4-5 hours on low.
Long grain white rice is a great choice to serve with red beans, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
Serving Suggestions
This is a meal in its own right but you can totally amp things up with all kinds of sides. Here are some favorites:
- Homemade Hawaiian Rolls
- Corn Pudding Recipe
- Sauteed Asparagus Recipe with Pancetta
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Whether you have this on its own or with a side, it’s guaranteed to satisfy!
Storage Instructions
Store leftover red beans and rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing Instructions
Freeze red beans and rice in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Red Beans and Rice Tips
- You DO NOT have to soak your beans ahead of time for this recipe.
- If you’re unable to find andouille sausage, try chorizo. You can use spicy Italian sausage, but it will lack that smoky flavor.
- Make sure to cook on high to ensure the beans are fully cooked. Only cook on low if using canned beans.
- Feel free to gently mash your beans before serving to create a creamier texture.
More Sausage Recipes We Love
- Classic Sausage Balls Recipe
- Sausage Breakfast Casserole
- One Pan Sausage Biscuit Gravy Cobbler
- Italian Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner
Whipped up in the slow cooker with ease, this crockpot red beans and rice recipe is pure comfort and joy! Loaded with a delicious mix of spices, the broth smothers juicy red beans and savory sausage. Perfect as a freezer meal or easily whipped up for a weeknight dinner – simple has never tasted so delicious!
More Easy Crockpot Recipes to Try:
- Crockpot Turkey Breast
- Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
- Crockpot Chicken and Rice
- Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Crockpot Goulash
- Crockpot Tuscan Chicken
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.
Crockpot Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry red kidney beans
- 16 ounces Andouille sausage sliced
- 3 ribs celery diced
- 1 white onion peeled and diced
- 1 green bell pepper cored and diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 6 cups cooked white rice
- Sliced green onions optional, for serving
Instructions
- Place the kidney beans in a colander and rinse thoroughly under cold water.1 pound dry red kidney beans
- In the crock of a slow cooker, combine the beans, sausage, celery, onions, bell peppers, garlic, chili powder, salt, cumin, thyme, cayenne pepper, paprika, brown sugar black pepper. Stir in the chicken broth and water until combined.16 ounces Andouille sausage, 3 ribs celery, 1 white onion, 1 green bell pepper, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon ground paprika, ½ teaspoon brown sugar, 4 cups low sodium chicken broth, 2 cups water, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Cook on high for 6-8 hours, until the beans are completely cooked through and tender. Taste and season as desired. Serve immediately over rice, garnished with green onions.6 cups cooked white rice, Sliced green onions
Video
Becky’s Tips
- You DO NOT have to soak your beans ahead of time for this recipe.
- If you’re unable to find andouille sausage, try chorizo. You can use spicy Italian sausage, but it will lack that smoky flavor.
- Make sure to cook on high to ensure the beans are fully cooked. Only cook on low if using canned beans.
- Feel free to gently mash your beans before serving to create a creamier texture.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
Did this recipe before, followed it exactly, minus the cayenne. Came out AWESOME! Trying it again with some pre browned stew beef chunks.😋
My family enjoyed this recipe. I used turkey smoked sausage because that’s what my husband prefers. I would make this recipe again.
Hi Jay, we’re so sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy this recipe! We can’t think of anything that would make this dish bitter unless an ingredient was accidentally burned during the cooking process. As for the spiciness, there is cayenne pepper in them. You can totally omit that if you’re not a fan of spice!
We’re sorry this recipe wasn’t to your taste!