Creole Red Beans Rice (Printable)

Savory Creole red beans slow-simmered with smoked turkey and spices, served over fluffy white 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 - In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, add a splash of oil. Cook diced onion, bell pepper, and celery for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until aromatic, being careful not to burn.
04 - Add smoked turkey, soaked beans, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, cayenne, 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 completely tender and creamy.
06 - Remove smoked turkey from pot, discard skin and bones, and shred the meat. Return meat to pot and simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes. Mash some beans against the pot side to achieve a thick, creamy consistency. Adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - While beans finish, combine rice, water, and salt in a saucepan. 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 - Ladle creamy red beans over hot steamed rice. Garnish with sliced green onions and hot sauce if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The smoked turkey adds incredible depth without being overpowering
  • This is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day
  • It feeds a crowd and makes your whole house smell like New Orleans
02 -
  • Do not skip the overnight soak or your beans will never reach that perfect creamy texture
  • Mashing some beans against the pot is what creates the authentic thick consistency
  • The seasoning will concentrate as it simmers, so taste and adjust before serving
03 -
  • Reserve some bean liquid before mashing if you prefer a soupier consistency
  • Let the dish rest for 10 minutes off the heat before serving
  • The flavors deepen overnight, making this ideal for meal prep

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