
Reaper Smoked Red Beans and Rice
Sound basic? Well, we’ll admit the prep is basic. But the flavor is a 100% down-home Louisiana hurricane making a touchdown in your mouth. In fact, this dish gets even better the next day: the flavors meld closer together than an NFL tight end with a pop music diva!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 min. – 1 hour
Servings: 6 – 8
Ingredients
3 15-oz. cans red kidney beans
1 lb. andouille sausage (sliced)
1 large yellow onion (diced)
1 green bell pepper (diced)
2 celery stalks (diced)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (or adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon Aardvark Reaper Smoked Hot Sauce (or more if you dare)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon thyme (dried or 1 teaspoon fresh)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 bay leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
4 – 5 cups chicken broth or water
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 green onions (sliced for garnish)
Cooked white rice (for serving)
Hot sauce (for serving)
Instructions
Rinse and Drain the Beans: Thoroughly rinse and drain the canned kidney beans to remove any excess sodium or liquid from the can.
Cook the Sausage: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the slices and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
Sauté the Veggies: Add the onion, green bell pepper, and celery to the same pot. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
Season the Pot: Add the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, cayenne pepper (if using), and bay leaves. Stir to combine.
Combine Beans and Broth: Add beans to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth (or water) and add Smoked Reaper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Simmer and Stir: Cover the pot partially and simmer for 30 minutes or until beans are soft, stirring occasionally to ensure nothing sticks to the bottom. Add more liquid if needed.
Adjust Seasoning: Discard the bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the cooked sausage and simmer for another 15 minutes.
Serve: Spoon the beans over hot, cooked white rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and serve with hot sauce on the side.