Red Beans and Rice? No Way, This is Too Good

Submitted by missjuliee

"When someone says "red beans and rice" most everyone runs.... that's good, more for us! I found this recipe years ago, tweaked and made it tasty tasty tasty, the leftovers are even better."

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 6 slices bacon, pre-cut it into little pieces (freeze it for a few minutes for easier cutting)
• 1⁄2 green pepper (chopped or sliced thin)
• 1 medium onion (chopped or sliced thin)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (or if I run out-garlic powder equalling 3 cloves garlic)
• 2 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans, undrained
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 -2 teaspoon salt (I like sea or kosher)
• 1 Polish sausage, sliced (you can put any kind you like or up to a pound- we like the skinless kielbasa)
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 cup cooked rice

directions

1. In a large, heavy saucepan, saute bacon until lightly browned.
2. Remove all but 2 tablespoons fat.
3. Add onion, green pepper and garlic, saute until soft.
4. Add remaining ingredients except vinegar, sugar and rice. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes.
5. Stir in vinegar and sugar for last few minutes then serve over rice.
6. *note: this recipe I've found hinges on the bacon You need good (perhaps cheap) bacony bacon, not extra lean, you want that tasty bacon- I usually up the bacon amount to half a package or more :).
7. *variations: omit sausage for side dish-also.after all steps, mix with rice and throw in crockpot on warm and rice will soak up juice;.instead of sausage use boneless chicken.

Reviews

[JeannaLW]

I can't seem to make a recipe without adapting it to my tastes, so I won't give stars on this one, only comments. I used only one can of beans, about 3/4lb lean turkey Kielbasa diced, and I skipped the vinegar and sugar. I accidentally drained the beans so I added vegetable broth; and I couldn't resist adding just a couple tablespoonfuls of tomato sauce too -- actually, I used Marinara sauce, which I had on hand. Wow but did it smell heavenly while cooking! This doesn't taste like red beans and rice I've had before, but it was really good! I didn't want to spoil it by adding the rice ;)

 

[CabinKat]

I think that I would have given this recipe 5 stars, but I have to value the opinion of my BH. I felt this was a good combination of flavors, and I agree, add more bacon (I used a low-sodium). My BH thought it was a bit dry and thought some tomato sauce would have been nice in this. I suggested some chicken broth instead. Maybe even use extra to cook the rice in for added flavor. We used red beans instead of kidneys and low-fat kilbasa. I enjoyed it and so did my 17 year old son, who's been very picky lately on his dinner choices. I would love to do this again with the extra perks. Thanks for the insperational meal missjuliee!

 

[ladyfingers]

Being a Michigander, this is a first eating red beans and rice--and they are great. Or at least I thought so...dinner was postponed, so I followed missjuliee's crockpot suggestion. Unfortunately, the aroma and sight of them was too much--hardly enough for anyone else now. Thanks!

 

[Auntie Jan]

This was very good. Easy to fix and the smell of it cooking was making us drool. We only made a couple alterations. Nixed the green pepper(person preference)and we used turkey sausage, and of course being the onion addict that i am, I added more onion. I will make this again and it definately goes in my cookbook. Thanks for a wonderful recipe.

 

[Colorado Lauralee]

I prepared this last night for our meal. I did need to make one substitution, as I only had 1 can of kidney beans, the other can of beans included lime and jalapenos. This was a recipe that I'll keep on file and enjoy again in the future. Thanks