Creole Red Beans Rice (Printable)

Creamy red beans cooked with smoked turkey and spices, served over tender steamed rice.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beans & Protein

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

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced
07 - 4 garlic cloves, minced

→ Herbs & Spices

08 - 2 bay leaves
09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
12 - ½ tsp cayenne pepper
13 - 1 tsp black pepper
14 - 1 tsp salt, plus more to taste

→ Rice

15 - 2 cups long-grain white rice
16 - 4 cups water
17 - ½ tsp salt

→ Garnish

18 - 2 green onions, finely sliced
19 - Hot sauce to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Drain soaked beans thoroughly and set aside for cooking.
02 - Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
04 - Add smoked turkey, soaked beans, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt to the pot.
05 - Pour in chicken broth or water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are creamy and tender.
06 - Remove smoked turkey from pot, discard skin and bones, and shred the meat. Return meat to pot and simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes. Mash some beans against the pot side to achieve creamier consistency. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - In a saucepan, combine rice, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
08 - Spoon creamy red beans over hot steamed rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and hot sauce if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The smoked turkey adds incredible depth without being too heavy or greasy
  • This is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd
  • The creamy texture develops naturally as you cook, no fancy techniques required
02 -
  • Mashing some beans against the pot is what creates that creamy, velvety texture that makes this dish so satisfying
  • The beans continue thickening as they cool, so if it looks too thin while cooking, give it another 15 minutes
  • A splash of apple cider vinegar at the end wakes up all the flavors in a way that salt alone cant achieve
03 -
  • Don't rush the vegetable sauté at the beginning, those softened aromatics build the layered flavor base
  • If the beans are still hard after 2 hours, add more liquid and keep cooking—dried beans vary wildly by age and brand

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