Sadly, during the year I lived in south Louisiana after college, I didn’t develop a taste for the ever-popular red beans and rice or gumbo. Now, jambalaya? That’s a different story. I had a standing jambalaya appointment every Monday at the most divine little lunch place. In fact, I have recreated a similar jambalaya recipe since then. But since leaving south Louisiana, my liking for red beans and rice emerged. Ever so often, I am struck with a tremendous craving. Today was one of those days. Now, I am sharing my Crock Pot red beans and rice with canned beans and smoked sausage recipe.
Are Red Beans the Same Thing as Kidney Beans?
Actually, no. They may look similar, but red beans are a tad smaller and have more of a round shape to them. Kidney beans, of course, are kidney shaped. In my experience, I have used the two interchangeably with no issues. For this red beans and rice recipe, you can do the same.
Several years ago, I clipped a recipe for red beans and rice from one of my recipe magazines and placed it in my recipe binder. Unfortunately, I cannot recall which magazine it was to give it proper credit. It was probably Taste of Home. I like it because it uses canned beans and is basically a dump and wait recipe. This recipe has been modified, and I am sharing it here. Some people turn their noses at canned beans. For those of you who don’t, give this version a shot.
Of course, I won’t claim mine is a true Louisiana red beans and rice recipe as I have heard that authentic red beans and rice often do not include broths, bay leaves, or kidney beans. Also, they don’t typically use canned kidney beans.
There is definitely a healthy dose of spice to this concoction. If you don’t like heat lingering in your mouth, turn down the spices a notch or two. Truly, this red beans and rice Crock Pot version is a great red kidney beans recipe.
Making Crock Pot Red Beans and Rice with Canned Beans and Smoked Sausage
Aside from chopping the sausage and the veggies, this is a quick prep recipe. If you keep chopped veggies on hand in your freezer, like I do, prep is even more of a breeze. For the sausage, I always use Hillshire Farm beef sausage, but most other types of sausage would likely work just fine. Personally, I do not stray from this brand and type as I am very finicky about sausage.
The last thirty minutes or so of cook time, I prepare the rice, using whatever kind of rice I have on hand. I have used regular white rice, minute rice, etc. But it is almost always Riceland Rice. I mean, I’m an Arkansas girl! How could I not support the rice grown right here in my home state?
After discarding the bay leaves, I serve the red bean mixture with the cooked rice. This recipe makes about 8 servings. A hot and simple meal does wonders for the soul sometimes!
Crock Pot Red Beans and Rice with Canned Beans and Smoked Sausage
Ingredients
- 4 cans Kidney beans two dark red and two light red
- 1 package Smoked sausage diced into bite-sized pieces
- 3/4 cup Onion chopped
- 3/4 cup Green bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 cup Red bell pepper chopped
- 1 can Diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 cup Broth chicken, beef or vegetable.
- 2-3 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tsp Garlic powder
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 2 Bay leaves
- 1 pot Cooked rice
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except for rice into a larger-sized slow cooker. Make sure to place the bay leaf or bay leaves on the very top.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours.
- Remove bay leaves and stir before serving.
- Serve with cooked rice.
Nutrition
In What Other Recipes Can I Use Canned Kidney Beans?
You can use canned kidney beans in several of my tasty recipes right here on the bloggity blog!
Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
Easy Chili for Stove Top or Slow Cooker
Easy Taco Soup
Spicy Shrimp Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Indian Fry Bread Tacos
And though this next recipe doesn’t use red beans and rice, it is something to check into if you like beans and rice.
White Beans and Rice
Emile George Fryou
Do your beans come out thick or watery
Amy
This recipe turns out a more liquid-y consistency. I would definitely not say the beans turn out thick.
Angie
Do you drain the red beans ??
The Gifted Gabber
Yes! I will be sure to make a note of that in the recipe card. Thank you!
Angie
Thank 😊