Slow Cooker Cajun Red Beans and Rice
Yields: 6-8 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 6 hours (high)
Equipment:
6-quart Crock-Pot (slow cooker)
Ingredients:
1 pound dried red beans (kidney beans or small red beans)
1 link andouille sausage, quartered
2 links smoked sausage, sliced
1 yellow onion, diced
1 rib celery, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 bay leaves
6 cups water
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
Instructions:
Combine Ingredients:
Add all ingredients to a 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker.
Stir and Cook:
Give it a good stir.
Cover with the lid and cook on high for 6 hours.
Mash Beans (Optional):
Depending on your desired creaminess, mash some of the beans against the side of the pot to thicken the liquid.
Serve:
Serve over cooked rice.
Tips and Variations:
Bean Soaking (Optional):
While not necessary for slow cooking, soaking the beans overnight can reduce cooking time slightly and make them more tender.
Sausage:
You can use other types of sausage, such as kielbasa or chorizo, in addition to or instead of the andouille and smoked sausage.
For a spicier dish, use hot andouille sausage.
Vegetables:
Add other vegetables like bell peppers or green onions.
A diced green bell pepper is a very traditional addition.
Broth:
Use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water and bouillon cubes for a richer flavor.
Spice Level:
Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to your preference.
Add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper for extra heat.
Creaminess:
Mashing the beans against the side of the pot is a traditional method for thickening the sauce.
You can also use an immersion blender to partially blend the beans.
Rice:
Serve with white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.
Herbs:
Fresh thyme or parsley can be added towards the end of cooking for extra flavor.
Salt: Be careful with added salt, as the bouillon cubes, and sausage, can already be quite salty. Taste before adding more salt.
Low heat: If you wish to cook on low heat, cook for 8-10 hours.
Enjoy your delicious Slow Cooker Cajun Red Beans and Rice!