$5 Budget Meal: How I Fed My Family with Red Beans & Rice

sausage

🥗Healthier: turkey sausage

💰Cheaper: smoked sausage

Turkey sausage is lower in fat, while smoked sausage can be more budget-friendly.

white rice

🥗Healthier: brown rice

💰Cheaper: white rice

Brown rice is more nutritious and has a lower glycemic index.

Pick through the red beans to remove imperfect ones and rocks.

Rinse the beans and soak them overnight in water.

The next day, prepare corn muffins while the beans are soaking.

Start cooking the rice in chicken stock using a rice cooker.

Melt butter in a large pot to sauté the frozen bell pepper, celery, and onion.

Mix in spices: thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Add the soaked beans and chicken stock to the pot.

Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.

After about an hour and a half, check and stir to ensure nothing is sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Add bay leaves that were forgotten earlier and continue to simmer.

After a little over two hours, stir again and remove bay leaves before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary