Creole Red Beans Rice (Printable Version)

Savory red beans with smoked turkey and Creole spices served over fluffy white rice.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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
14 - 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

→ Finishing & Rice

15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
16 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
17 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
18 - 3 cups cooked white rice

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Drain and rinse the soaked red beans thoroughly.
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, about 5 minutes.
03 - Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
04 - Stir in the drained beans, smoked turkey, bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, Creole seasoning, black pepper, cayenne, and chicken broth.
05 - Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cover. Simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and creamy.
06 - Remove smoked turkey pieces. Discard skin and bones, shred the meat, and return it to the pot.
07 - Stir in apple cider vinegar and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
08 - Serve hot over cooked white rice, garnished with extra parsley if desired.

# Tips from hearthlykitchen:

01 -
  • The smoked turkey brings incredible depth without being overwhelming
  • Perfect for feeding a crowd on a budget with ingredients you probably already have
  • Leftovers taste even better after the flavors meld overnight in the fridge
02 -
  • Some beans simply will not soften no matter how long you cook them so always check the soak water
  • The liquid should look slightly thickened and creamy when the beans are done
03 -
  • Mash a few beans against the side of the pot to naturally thicken the cooking liquid
  • Let the finished pot rest for 15 minutes before serving to let flavors settle

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