Creole Red Beans Rice (Printable)

Tender red beans cooked with smoked turkey and spices, served atop fluffy white rice for a flavorful meal.

# 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 (optional, adjust to taste)
14 - 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

→ Finishing & Rice

15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for serving)
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 - In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté until vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Add the drained beans, smoked turkey, bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, Creole seasoning, black pepper, cayenne (if using), 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. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, and cook until beans are tender and creamy.
06 - Remove smoked turkey pieces from the pot. Discard skin and bones, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, and return it to the pot.
07 - Stir in apple cider vinegar and fresh parsley. Taste the beans and adjust salt as needed. The vinegar adds brightness and balances the rich flavors.
08 - Serve hot over fluffy cooked white rice, garnished with extra fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The smoked turkey creates this incredibly rich, smoky broth that feels like it cooked all day even though it only needs a couple hours
  • Something magical happens when the beans start to break down, turning into this creamy, luxurious sauce that clings to every grain of rice
02 -
  • The beans are done when they're creamy and starting to break apart, not when they're just soft enough to eat
  • Your pot will thicken up as it sits, so don't panic if it looks thinner than restaurant versions right off the stove
03 -
  • Mash about a cup of beans against the side of your pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking, it thickens the broth beautifully
  • Let everyone season their own bowl at the table, since some like it with quite a bit more heat than others

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