Crock Pot Red Beans and Rice is hands-down one of the best recipes to make when you’re looking for a delicious one-pot meal. Packed with flavorful andouille sausage (or kielbasa), red beans, chicken broth, fresh veggies, and seasonings – this has a quick meal prep time and your family is sure to enjoy it.
Using your slow cooker is one of the best and easiest ways to cook beans. Add my Slow Cooker Kielbasa and Beans {grown up beanies and weenies) and Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans to your meal plan if you’re looking for additional ways to cook beans.
Why this crock pot red beans and rice recipe works
Crockpot red beans and rice is a southern food that can be enjoyed any time of the year, but especially in the fall and cold winter months. I especially enjoy this recipe because it calls for flavorful staples that yield an amazing taste once cooked.
When it comes to picking the sausage, it doesn’t have to be Polska Kielbasa, but it should be a smoked sausage of sorts. Andouille Sausage is a Louisiana favorite for red beans, so if you want to go for that flavor, use andouille. This is a recipe that can also be tweaked in a few different ways depending on your preference.
Recipe Ingredients
- Red Beans: I like to use dried beans (not kidney beans). If you want to use canned beans, you’ll need to reduce the cooking time significantly. Do not cook kidney beans in the slow cooker, see why in the FAQ section.
- Vegetables: You’ll need a yellow onion, green bell pepper, and a celery rib, all of which will be diced before putting them into the slow cooker.
- Sausage: Grab a 24 oz. pack of Polska kiełbasa sausage (or andouille sausage) to use for this dish. This is where most of the smoky flavor will come from.
- Chicken Broth: Used to create a tasty liquid. It will also be infused with the flavors from the sausage and seasoning. cups chicken broth
- Water: 2 cups water add the perfect amount of liquid, but won’t make the beans and rice recipe too runny.
- Seasonings: Onion powder, garlic powder, bay leaves, and Creole seasoning combine to make the best-tasting flavor for this dish.
Step One – Chop and prepare all ingredients and add to a 6-quart (or bigger) slow cooker.
Step Two – Give everything a good stir to combine.
Step Three – Cover and cook on HIGH for 6-7 Hours. In the last 2 hours of cooking, stir the beans intermittently, it will help them to cream up. Serve over white rice and enjoy!
How to serve
- Per the recipe name, the red beans and sausage can be served over white rice. If you prefer a healthier version, serve a nice helping over brown rice or cauliflower rice.
- When it comes to pairing this delicious meal with sides, you can’t go wrong with coleslaw, corn on the cob, cornbread, a wedge salad, or collard greens. Any of these options are sure to make this comfort food a satisfying meal.
Recipe FAQs and Variations
There has been some research that kidney beans have a toxin in them called toxin called phytohaemagglutinin. And since the slow cooker doesn’t come to a full boil, that toxin may not be cooked out completely. Instead, use small red beans in the slow cooker.
No. You should cook the rice separately to prevent it from getting overcooked and mushy.
You can find this and any other type of Italian sausage at your local grocery store. You can even use smoked ham hock instead!
It’s not necessary to soak the red beans, cooking the beans on high will get them very tender. They will turn out absolutely delicious because the beans absorb the juice and flavors during the cooking time.
Yes. Since they are already completely cooked, you’ll want to reduce the cooking time significantly.
In addition to the diced onion, bell peppers, and celery, you can add shredded carrots, green onions, mushrooms, or other veggies of your choice. Throw it all in your crockpot or slow cooker and cook according to the recipe directions.
If you want to add some heat, you can add hot Creole seasoning, cayenne pepper, chili powder, or hot sauce.
Chicken stock, veggie broth, or beef broth can be used and not change the taste much.
The rice prep time isn’t long so you’ll want to wait until about 30 minutes before serving time to cook it, especially if you want fluffy rice. Cooking rice is super easy, especially if you have a rice cooker.
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Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb dried small red beans (not kidney beans) No need to presoak the beans
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 celery rib diced
- 24 oz. polska kiełbasa sausage sliced
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp. creole seasoning (I use Tony Chachere's creole seasoning)
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions:
- Chop and prepare all ingredients and add to a 6 quart (or bigger) slow cooker.
- Give a stir, then cover and cook on high for 6-7 Hours.
- In the last 2 hours of cooking, stir the beans intermittently, it will help them to cream up.
- Serve over white rice.
How to Video:
Recipe Notes:
- Do not use kidney beans – There has been some research that kidney beans have a toxin in them called toxin called phytohaemagglutinin. And since the slow cooker doesn’t come to a full boil, that toxin may not be cooked out completely. Instead, use small red beans in the slow cooker.
- Using a smoked sausage is integral to the flavor of the dish. It doesn’t have to be Polska Kielbasa, but it should be a smoked sausage of sorts. Andouille Sausage is a Louisiana favorite for red beans too.
- In addition to the diced onion, bell peppers, and celery, you can add shredded carrots, green onions, mushrooms, or other veggies of your choice. Throw it all in your crockpot or slow cooker and cook according to the recipe directions.
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
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