Creole Red Beans and Rice (Printable)

Savory red beans with smoked turkey and Creole spices served atop fluffy white rice.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beans and Meat

01 - 1 pound dried red kidney beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
02 - 1 pound smoked turkey wings or drumsticks
03 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 3 celery stalks, diced
07 - 4 garlic cloves, minced

→ Seasonings & Aromatics

08 - 2 bay leaves
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning or Cajun seasoning
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
14 - 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

→ Finishing & Rice

15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
17 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
18 - 3 cups cooked white rice

# How To Make It:

01 - Drain and rinse the soaked red beans thoroughly under cold water.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté until vegetables are softened and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic, being careful not to burn.
04 - Add drained beans, smoked turkey pieces, bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, Creole seasoning, black pepper, cayenne, salt, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir well to combine.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are completely tender and creamy. Add more liquid if needed during cooking.
06 - Remove smoked turkey pieces from the pot. Discard skin and bones, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, and return meat to the beans.
07 - Stir in apple cider vinegar and fresh parsley. Taste thoroughly and adjust salt seasoning as needed.
08 - Spoon hot beans and smoked turkey over fluffy white rice. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The smoked turkey creates an incredible depth that you cannot achieve with vegetables alone
  • This recipe proves that humble ingredients can transform into something extraordinary with just time and care
  • The creamy texture of properly cooked beans is absolutely addictive
02 -
  • Some beans simply will not get creamy no matter how long you cook them so buy from a store with good turnover
  • The vinegar at the end might seem strange but it balances the rich smokiness and makes every pop
  • Mashing a few beans against the side of the pot helps naturally thicken the cooking liquid
03 -
  • Keep your Dutch oven lid slightly ajar during the last 30 minutes to help thicken the liquid naturally
  • Never add salt until the beans are completely tender or they may stay tough forever

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