Want pure comfort but don’t want to put in the effort? This Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice is a fix it and forget it classic dish that will feed a crowd.
One thing that I have become obsessed with over my 32 some odd years on this earth is Red Beans and Rice. It was the one dish that my mom whipped up more often than not.
She keeps the tradition alive in her ouse as we do ours. She likes to use box mixes and adapt them, whereas we have crafted over the years our perfect homemade version.
We also like to use the slow cooker as we love meals that are fix it and forget it especially now that our kids are home with us full time, just toss in the ingredients and wait.
We also have an instant pot version of this recipe that you can make if you are not wanting the slow cooker and it just as tasty!
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- It is a time savor because it is cooked in the instant pot where you don’t have to scramble quickly to make something for dinner.
- Simple pantry ingredients (ones that we usually keep on hand) make this quick and easy to whip up.
- This make a nice big batch so it feeds our family of 6 perfectly.
We like to add a little spice to ours which consists of creole seasoning, Tony Chachere’s is our favorite brand that we use in this particular recipe itself.
We also switch back and forth using smoked sausage and andouille sausage depending on how spicy you want this, also who your serving if kids, you might want to tone it down a bit.
HOW TO MAKE SLOW COOKER RED BEANS AND RICE, STEP BY STEP:
- Rinse your beans and to a 6qt slow cooker add them along with the sausage, pepper, onions, creole seasoning and garlic.
- Add in your water and chicken broth.
- Give it a good stir so everything is nice and combined. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours.
- Remove lid and using a potato masher, mash some of your beans, not all of them but 1/3 to 1/2 of your beans, replace lid and cook for another hour then serve over rice.
This Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice is really such a simple recipe, we make it at least a month, and all throughout the year. Everyone needs comfort food no matter the season.
My trick to making the best Red Beans and Rice is to mash those beans, it was a trick that I learned from my mom. It makes the recipe itself a little thicker.
You don’t want some runny Red Beans and Rice, you want something with substance, so this is what I do with all our recipes when we make them.
WHAT TYPE OF BEAN IS USED IN THIS RECIPE?
Typically for Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice you will use small red kidney beans, but larger ones will work as well and they can be dark or light.
If you use larger kidney beans the cooking time may be slightly longer so check the tenderness of the beans after the 6 hour mark and you can tell if it needs more time.
When we feel like cooking southern food in our house we like to go all out, sides, desserts, the whole shebang.
Some of my favorite other southern recipes include:
This Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe alone really doesn’t need to be served with anything because let me tell you, it is FILLING.
So if you really don’t have to worry about making something extra, but sometimes we just like to have something else to serve along side this dish.
My mom lived in Mississippi for a good portion of her young adult years and my uncle still lives down there to this day.
This is one of those recipes that just has been handed down from them, that is simple, not to complicated and we just have mad our own.
The best recipes seem to be the ones that are handed down from our elders that we adapt and make our own and we continue to use over and over again.
Like you can already tell about my website, I like to keep things as easy as possible. Now I’m sure a lot of people wouldn’t consider this “authentic” southern style, but that’s ok.
This is our favorite version, it tastes flipping amazing and we continue to make it along with many other people over the years!
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Make sure you cook this on high heat, this way the beans are ensured to be done in time.
- You DO NOT have to soak your beans ahead of time for this recipe.
- Mash your beans, this creates the perfect texture to spoon over your rice.
- To tone down the heat use smoked sausage and less creole sauce.
- We have an instant pot version linked above if you want a quicker meal.
- Add some cheese when serving, trust me it’s weird, but tastes amazing
This Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice really is a good and wholesome meal that fills you up and feeds a crowd, we’ve kept it on our rotation for MANY years.
Our kids absolutely love it and my youngest son surprisingly asks for it ALL THE TIME. I’m not complaining on that one bit because it is hands down one of my favorite meals ever.
If you are looking for a meal that you can throw together and not have to worry about this Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice is just the one you’ve been looking for!
If you like this recipe you might also like:
Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried red beans
- 1 lb smoked sausage sliced
- 1 green pepper diced
- 1 small onion diced
- 1-2 Tbs creole seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups water
- 3 cups chicken broth
- Cooked rice
Instructions
- In strainer add your beans and rinse.
- In a 6qt crockpot add your beans, sausage, pepper, onion, creole seasoning and garlic.
- Slowly add water and broth and stir everything together to combine.
- Cook on high 6 hours then remove lid and using potato masher mash some of your beans, replace lid and continue cooking for another hour.
- Serve over hot cooked rice!
Notes
- Nutritional Calculations are calculated before serving with rice.
- Make sure you cook this on high heat, this way the beans are ensured to be done in time.
- You DO NOT have to soak your beans ahead of time for this recipe.
- Mash your beans, this creates the perfect texture to spoon over your rice.
- To tone down the heat use smoked sausage and less creole sauce.
- We have an instant pot version linked above if you want a quicker meal.
- Add some cheese when serving, trust me it's weird, but tastes amazing
Nutrition
Tornadough Alli is not a nutritionist or dietitian, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and nutritional value is important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and values can vary depending on which brands were used.
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER, 2015
Neisha
I don’t have and never used creole seasoning, but could I substitute Cajun seasoning?
Tornadough Alli
That should be fine.
Ashley Rhodes
My family of 4 and I truly enjoy your recipes! We have made the red beans and rice several times. It has become a dinner that is requested frequently in our house. ( also the butter chicken… my daughters fav.) Thank you so much for sharing
Trish
The is SO good! I used 2 tablespoons of the Creole seasoning and it was the perfect level of spicy for me. Came out perfect and will definitely make this again 🙂
Cathy Perry
Made this for dinner tonight. This is a keeper. Almost as good as a Louisiana chicken chain. Thanks again for the recipe.
Laura
Made this today! Turned out so good! Will def make again!
Ericka
I just put this in the crockpot but I did do creole and sausage so I guess it will have lots of flavor! Lol! This is my first time to ever make red beans and rice, so I can’t wait! 😁
Angie
Anyone tried pinto beans instead of red beans? My family is not a fan of red beans.
Gayle S.
Do you have to soak the beans overnite?
Tornadough Alli
For this recipe you do not need to soak overnight.
Kristyn
Red beans & sausage sounds so good! I can’t wait to try this! I love crock pot meals!
Becky Hardin
This would be a total win at my house! Complete comfort food for sure.
Courtney O'Dell
This recipe is like a giant bowl of comfort! Cant get enough!
lauren kelly
I am so happy I found this recipe, I have been looking for easy comfort food recipes for when my family visits!
Jennifer
We make this all the time for dinner! My family loves it!
Danita Carr
Yum! Thanks for sharing at Small Victories Sunday Linkup!
Jennifer Stewart
This is one of my favorite meals! I used to eat it all the time in college because my roommate was from Japan and she had the best rice cooker! Can’t wait to have this warm me up when it gets chilly! Thanks for sharing with SaucySaturdays
Tornadough Alli
I’m so addicted to my rice cooker Jennifer. Them and crock pots are the best inventions eva! Thanks for swinging by!!
Leigh Powell Hines
I want to try this as well. I really need crockpot recipes on Tuesdays because it’s dance and Scout day. Thank you for linking up with us.
Tornadough Alli
These are so down home and awesome. Great for a busy night!
heidi
Red Beans and Rice are one of my favorites. Especially with cooler weather coming along. Thanks for the recipe.
Corina
I love my slow cooker too and this is exactly the type of meal I love. It’s real comfort food.
Tornadough Alli
Thanks for visiting Corina! Comfort food is the best for sure.
Julie is Hostess At Heart
Delicious! I love that this can be made in the crock pot!
Tornadough Alli
Thanks Julie, I’m a huge crockpot advocate! Busy all the time and love this!
Hil
That look great. Anything made in the crockpot and making diner time easier is fantastic!
Tornadough Alli
Thanks! These are a big hit. Crockpot is the best!
Carlee
wifi crock pots?! Oh my! I’ll have to keep my eye out for one of those, I don’t think I’ve seen one yet and now I am curious!
Tornadough Alli
Yup it is true. I seen it at Walmart but I can see how they would come in handy like if someone was at work and the crockpot needed to be turned to low or warm at a certain time you could do it remotely!
JC Eddens
I use mine once a week. It’s the greatest present I ever bought myself.