Do I have to soak the beans?

The one-hour quick soak here shortens cooking and helps the beans cook evenly. Unsoaked beans work but need roughly 30 to 45 minutes more simmering.

Can I make red beans and rice meatless?

As written it already is. Smoked paprika or a smoked salt adds depth if you want the flavor smoked meat usually brings.

Main Dishes

Southern Red Beans and Rice

Red beans cooked down with onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic and herbs until they go creamy and coat the rice — the Monday wash-day pot that fed a whole tradition on a few dollars.

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Prep time

15 min

Cook time

1 hr 45 min

Soak time

1 hr

Total time

3 hr

Servings

Ingredients

1 pound dried red beans, sorted and rinsed
Water as needed
4 bay leaves
1½ cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
3 tablespoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
6 cups hot cooked rice

Instructions

1
Place beans in a large pot and cover generously with water.
2
Bring to a boil and cook 2 minutes.
3
Remove from heat, cover and let stand 1 hour.
4
Drain and rinse.
5
Return beans to pot with bay leaves and fresh water covering beans by approximately 2 inches.
6
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer approximately 45 minutes.
7
Add onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, parsley, thyme and pepper.
8
Continue simmering uncovered 45–60 minutes until beans are very tender. Add water as necessary.
9
Mash approximately 1 cup of beans against the side of the pot and stir back in.
10
Add salt to taste.
11
Remove bay leaves.
12
Serve over hot rice.

Heritage Kitchen Tips

Mashing some of the beans naturally thickens the pot without flour or cornstarch.
Salt near the end so the bean skins stay tender.

Storage and reheating

Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months; thin with water when reheating.

Complete the meal

Helpful kitchen tool

Soul Food Serving Calculator

Know exactly how much fried chicken, greens, and mac to make — no guessing, no leftovers gone to waste.

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Related guide

How Long Should You Soak Black-Eyed Peas?

Overnight, quick soak, or no soak — what each option does to your pot.

Read the guide

Frequently asked questions

Side Dishes

Honey Cornbread

Crackly golden top, tender crumb and a honey-butter finish — the cornbread that soaks up pot likker without falling apart.

32 minServes 9

Side Dishes

Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey

Tender greens simmered with smoked turkey until the pot likker is worth sipping.

1 hr 20 minServes 8