If I could make one dish every week | VEGAN RED BEANS & RICE

red beans

🥗Healthier: kidney beans

💰Cheaper: pinto beans

Pinto beans are often less expensive and provide similar texture.

brown rice

🥗Healthier: quinoa

💰Cheaper: white rice

White rice is typically cheaper and cooks faster.

vegetable broth

🥗Healthier: homemade vegetable broth

💰Cheaper: water

Water can be used if broth is not available.

canned tomatoes

🥗Healthier: fresh tomatoes

💰Cheaper: crushed tomatoes

Crushed tomatoes are often less expensive and easier to use.

Soak red kidney beans overnight for at least 8 hours for the best texture.

Chop onion, green bell pepper, and celery finely to prepare the Holy Trinity.

Mince garlic and set aside after chopping the vegetables.

Heat avocado oil in a hot cast iron skillet.

Add the chopped Holy Trinity (onion, green bell pepper, and celery) to the skillet and sauté until softened.

Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant.

Drain and rinse the soaked kidney beans before adding them to the pot.

Add thyme and bay leaves to the pot with the beans.

Cover the pot and bring to a simmer, cooking the beans for about 1 to 1.5 hours until tender.

If foam forms on top of the beans, skim it off with a spoon.

Once the beans come to a boil, add the better than bullion vegetable stock base to the pot.

In the last 20 minutes of cooking, prepare the vegan sausage by removing it from its casing and slicing it thinly.

Pan fry the sliced vegan sausage in a cast iron skillet until golden and crispy around the edges.

Add the cooked vegan sausage to the finished red beans.

Towards the end of cooking, add 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons of Creole seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke to the beans and stir.

Mash some of the beans against the side of the pot to create a thicker texture, or use an immersion blender briefly for a creamier consistency.

Once the beans are tender and seasoned, serve them over hot cooked brown rice and garnish with parsley.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary