Simple Purple Beans and Rice Recipe (Wholesome & Flavorful!)

Should you love the daring flavors of basic Louisiana-style purple beans and rice however need one thing a bit of faster for busy nights, this simple model is for you. My recipe retains the spirit of the normal dish with easy pantry components and some lighter swaps, like brown rice and loads of veggies.

I’ve made this one numerous instances for weeknight dinners and meal prep. It’s hearty, comforting, and straightforward to drag collectively in about an hour. The mixture of smoky andouille sausage, beans, Cajun seasoning, and the basic veggie base creates a giant, satisfying pot of consolation meals.

Whether or not you’re feeding your loved ones or planning lunches for the week, this recipe delivers daring taste with little or no effort.

You could find the total checklist of components within the recipe card, however listed below are a couple of necessities that give this dish its taste:

• Kidney beans: Conventional purple beans and rice recipes use small dried purple beans, however purple kidney beans maintain their form higher and are simple to search out canned. Utilizing canned beans means you don’t should cope with soaking dried beans or lengthy simmer instances!
• Andouille sausage: This smoked Cajun sausage provides daring taste and a bit of warmth to the dish. Should you can’t discover andouille, smoked sausage, or kielbasa can work instead, however the flavors gained’t be as near the basic.
• Cajun seasoning: I take advantage of my Selfmade Cajun Seasoningwhich is far milder than many store-bought variations. Should you like issues sizzling, go for it with a store-bought Cajun or Creole seasoning mix!
• Brown rice: Purple beans and brown rice add a nutty taste and further fiber in comparison with the genuine model with white rice. It additionally helps make the dish extra filling and nutritious.
• The “holy trinity”: My model of the “holy trinity” is onion, bell pepper, and garlic. (The basic trio is onion, bell pepper, and celery.) These aromatics prepare dinner all the way down to create the flavour base that makes purple beans and rice so satisfying.

Beans are the star of this dish, however in the event you’re searching for different simple methods to take pleasure in beans, take a look at my recipe for Beans On Toast for a fast, protein-packed snack or meal.

Let’s Discuss Cookware

You don’t want any fancy gear to make this purple beans and rice recipe. Just a few primary kitchen instruments will do the job completely.

I like utilizing a Dutch oven as a result of it distributes warmth evenly and provides you loads of house to sauté the sausage and greens earlier than simmering all the things collectively. Should you don’t have one, any heavy-bottomed massive pot will work simply nice.

You’ll additionally want a saucepan for the rice, as a result of it cooks individually whereas the beans simmer. A small to medium saucepan with a lid works completely. Should you choose a hands-off technique, you possibly can simply prepare dinner the rice in an Instantaneous Pot or rice cooker whereas the purple beans prepare dinner on the range.

Nice Jones

The Dutchess

That is hands-down my favourite Dutch oven. It’s a 6.75 quart enameled forged iron Dutch oven that’s tremendous high-quality and lovely.

How one can Make This Purple Beans and Rice Recipe

Once I say this purple beans and rice recipe is straightforward, I imply it! The method is generally hands-off as soon as all the things is simmering, which makes it excellent for a straightforward weeknight stovetop dinner.

Begin by cooking the brown rice so it has loads of time to melt whereas the beans simmer. (Brown rice takes longer to prepare dinner than white rice!)

As a substitute of cooking it in plain water, I wish to simmer the rice in beef broth with a bit of Cajun seasoning. Hen inventory works, too. The broth provides a deeper savory taste and helps the rice absorb all these Louisiana-inspired spices proper from the beginning.

Subsequent, warmth a big Dutch oven or pot and add the chopped andouille sausage. Let the sausage prepare dinner undisturbed for a couple of minutes to develop a pleasant browned edge.

Browning is essential as a result of it brings out the sausage’s smoky taste and creates small caramelized bits within the pan that may taste your complete dish. As soon as it’s browned, take away the sausage and set it apart for later.

In the identical pot, sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. In Cajun and Louisiana Creole cooking, the combo of onion, bell pepper, and celery is called the “holy trinity.” It types the flavour base for a lot of basic dishes. My model subs in garlic as the last word taste enhance.

Because the veggies prepare dinner, use a spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits left from the sausage. These bits add unbelievable taste to the ultimate dish. Let the greens soften and grow to be aromatic earlier than shifting on to the following step.

Add the Beans and Simmer

As soon as the greens are tender, stir within the beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Cajun seasoning, sizzling sauce, and broth. Carry all the things to a delicate boil, then scale back the warmth and let it simmer.

Throughout this time, the flavors mix, and the sauce thickens barely. I at all times stir sometimes so nothing sticks to the underside of the pot. Some recipes name for a potato masher at this level to interrupt up a few of the beans, nevertheless it’s not an important step.

Mix and Serve

When the rice is completed cooking, add it to the pot together with the browned sausage. (It’s okay if it’s a bit of al dente.) Stir all the things collectively so the rice absorbs the flavorful sauce.

Let all of it simmer for a couple of extra minutes so the flavors totally mix, then it’s able to serve. Prime with shredded cheese or a dollop of Greek yogurt for a creamy end, or simply take pleasure in it as-is!

You possibly can tweak the recipe primarily based on what you’ve gotten available or your dietary preferences, however it will possibly have an effect on a few of these basic flavors. Listed below are some swaps that might work:

How one can Serve It

One of the best purple beans and rice is a hearty dish by itself, however any of those toppings can add an additional one thing:

• Shredded cheddar cheese for further richness
• A dollop of Greek yogurt or bitter cream for creaminess
• Diced inexperienced onion for freshness
• Chopped parsley for a vibrant natural taste

What goes with purple beans and rice? Listed below are a couple of nice pairings and aspect dishes to spherical out the meal:

For a giant unfold, purple beans and rice could be one part alongside smoked ham hocks, pork chops, or smoked turkey for a hearty Louisiana-style meal.

This recipe is ideal for leftovers and purple beans and rice meal prep as a result of the flavors proceed to develop the following day. Retailer any leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3-5 days. Simply make sure the beans are at room temperature earlier than putting them within the fridge.

Reheat leftovers on the stovetop over medium warmth or within the microwave. If the combination thickens an excessive amount of within the fridge, add a splash of broth or sufficient water to loosen it whereas reheating.

Meal prep tip: Divide the cooked purple beans and rice into particular person containers for grab-and-go lunches all through the week. It’s also possible to freeze a couple of parts so there’s at all times a straightforward home made meal prepared when wanted.

A Little Purple Beans & Rice Historical past

Purple beans and rice are a basic Louisiana dish with deep roots in New Orleans Creole cooking. In reality, it’s typically referred to as New Orleans purple beans and rice, and shares some taste notes with dishes like gumbo.

The legend goes that it was historically made on Mondays, laundry day, utilizing leftover ham bones from Sunday dinner. The ham flavors would slowly simmer with the beans and greens in bacon fats whereas the wash was finished.Over time, it grew to become one of many area’s most beloved consolation meals, identified for its wealthy taste, easy components, and talent to feed a crowd.

What’s the key ingredient in purple beans and rice?

The true secret is the mix of smoky andouille sausage, the “holy trinity” vegetable base, and an excellent Cajun seasoning mix. These construct layers of taste that make the dish comforting and satisfying.

What does a bay leaf do when cooking purple beans and rice?

Some recipes name for a bay leaf so as to add delicate natural notes. My model skips it. The depth of taste comes from the sausage, spices, and greens, so that you gained’t miss it.

Are purple beans and rice wholesome?

Sure! Beans present protein, potassium, and fiber, brown rice provides complete grains, and the greens convey nutritional vitamins and minerals like vitamin C. Utilizing leaner sausage or plant-based alternate options could make it even lighter with much less saturated fats. Including Greek yogurt as a garnish additionally gives a lift of calcium and protein.

Are you able to freeze the “holy trinity” (onion, celery, and bell pepper)?You possibly can chop and freeze the holy trinity in parts forward of time. Simply sauté them from frozen or thaw shortly earlier than including to your dish. They’ll nonetheless construct nice taste.