Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (2024)

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You are going to LOVE this red beans and rice in the slowcooker because it is so delicious and easy!

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (1)

You can make it by throwing all the ingredients in the slow cooker/ crock pot in the morning, and poof! Dinner practically prepares itself.

Note: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. See my full affiliate disclosure policy here.

Side note: If you prefer to make this traditionally on the stovetop, see my stovetop red beans and rice.

How to make slow cooker red beans and rice

First, gather your ingredients.

Ingredients

For tastiest results, always use the best quality ingredients you have access to. To make this slow cooker red beans and rice recipe, you will need the following:

  • onion
  • bell pepper
  • celery
  • garlic
  • chicken andouille sausage (or your favorite andouille sausage)
  • dry red beans (or red kidney beans work well too)
  • salt and pepper
  • white pepper (optional – still good without it)
  • hot sauce
  • thyme – fresh or dried
  • bay leaves
  • water
  • 10 cups cooked rice (prepared just prior to serving)

Assembling this recipe

After you prep/ chop and measure your ingredients, just add them to the slow cooker. Except for the rice! I cook that just prior to serving at meal time.

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (2)

Slow cooking red beans and rice

So how long does the red bean mixture need to cook? It depends on which setting you use.

On high, it will need to cook for about 6 hours. On low, it will need at least 10 hours. Of course slow cooker can vary a little bit, so it wouldn’t hurt to plan some buffer time. The beans will keep warm for a while if needed, no problem. And if they need extra cook time, make sure the pot is turned to high, and cook a bit longer.

My slowcooker(<- Amazon affiliate link) is one of my most used kitchen appliances. Itis SUCH a valuable tool for making really yummy food that is easy to set and forget. Perfect for busyfolks! Which, aren’t we ALL?!

Side note: If you want tomake this dish quicker (like less than 2 hours, starting with dry beans), check out my Instant Pot red beans and rice recipe!

Serving

Like I mentioned, I cook the rice just ahead of meal time so that it will be ready in time to serve. I have a rice cooker, but you can also prepare it on the stovetop.

Serve with some diced green onion, extra hot sauce if you wish and a side of southern skillet cornbread.

Important cooking tips and notes

PS: You do not have to soak your dried beans ahead of time! Yes, you heard me right. This article from the LA Times explains why.

I did rinse mine, but I did NOT soak them, and this turned out perfect. I use this same method for my slow cooker black bean souptoo, and it also is a gem of a recipe.

Note: Since they are not pre-soaked you will need to allow plenty of time to cook. I would suggest at least 10 hours on low, or at least 6 hours on high.This might vary a little if your slow cooker is different than mine.

Update Note: Please make sure your crock pot heats up hot enough to eliminate any potential toxins, as explained here. My crock pot gets very hot, so it works out fine for us to cook them this way. If you are in doubt, go ahead and soak your beans first just to be safe. I do not want anyone to get sick from this recipe!

What type of sausage should I use?

You can use any type of cajun sausage, but I am using Amylu’s chicken andouille sausage that I found at Costco. I had never used this in any recipe before, and I bought it on a whim…as I so often do at Costco! (<- anybody else?? I am a sucker for the sample pushers too.)

You can use any type of andouille or cajun sausage though – pork, chicken or even vegan andouille sausages work great.

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (3)

More Cajun Recipes You May Enjoy

  • Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice – tastes like this version, only quicker!
  • Chicken and Sausage jambalaya (one pot recipe)
  • Cajun shrimp and grits

More Slow Cooker Recipes You May Enjoy

  • Slow cooker black bean soup
  • Mexican shredded chicken
  • Classic beef chili
  • Ham and Fifteen Bean Soup

Note: These are Amazon affiliate links.

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Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (4)

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Print

Red Beans and Rice in the slow cooker

You are going to LOVE this red beans and rice in the slow cooker because it is so delicious and easy! Throw the ingredients into your slow cooker, and dinner practically prepares itself.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Cajun

Keyword crock pot red beans and rice, slow cooker red beans and rice

Prep Time 12 minutes

Cook Time 6 hours

Total Time 8 hours 45 minutes

Servings 10 servings

Calories 461 kcal

Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 bell pepper diced
  • 3 celery stalks chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pounds ¼ chicken andouille sausage cut into thin slices, I used Amylu brand
  • 1 pound dry red kidney beans
  • 1 tsp salt or more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp white pepper optional
  • 1 tsp hot sauce I used Texas Pete
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme or ½ tsp dried thyme
  • 2 leaves bay
  • 7 cups water
  • 10 cups cooked rice

Instructions

  1. Rinse the kidney beans and drain.

  2. Add all the ingredients (except the rice) to the slow cooker.

  3. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for either 6 hours on high or 10 hours on low (total).

  4. Optional: When there is one hour remaining, use a potato masher to go in and mash up some of the beans, then let it cook the remaining hour.

  5. Cook the rice in a separate pot, according to package directions. I used white jasmine rice and cooked it in my rice cooker.

  6. Serve with 1 cup rice in each serving.

Recipe Notes

*Nutrition information includes 1 cup cooked rice.

Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.

Adapted from The Weary Chef.

Update Note: Please make sure your crock pot heats up hot enough to eliminate any potential toxins, as explained here. My crock pot gets very hot, so it works out fine for us to cook them this way. If you are in doubt, go ahead and soak your beans first just to be safe. I do not want anyone to get sick from this recipe!

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (5)

Nutrition Facts

Red Beans and Rice in the slow cooker

Amount Per Serving

Calories 461 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 32mg11%

Sodium 735mg32%

Potassium 747mg21%

Carbohydrates 77g26%

Fiber 8g33%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 21g42%

Vitamin A 600IU12%

Vitamin C 19.9mg24%

Calcium 69mg7%

Iron 3.9mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe - A Pinch of Healthy (2024)

FAQs

Is red beans and rice healthy? ›

Together, rice and beans are nutritional magic

Beans are the opposite ― high in lysine but low in methionine, explained registered dietician nutritionist Jillian Kubala. Combining rice and beans allows you to get enough of each, as well as the remaining seven essential amino acids, forming a complete protein.

Is it safe to cook red beans in slow cooker? ›

Whether you have cans of prepared beans or bags of the dried ones stacked (neatly, of course) in your pantry, red kidney beans and cannellini beans are always good to have on hand. However, both of these colors of kidney beans can be toxic when prepared in a slow cooker.

Do I have to soak red beans before slow cooking? ›

Advantages of Cooking Red Beans in a Slow Cooker Abound

Not only are slow cookers convenient and easy to use, they're also a major time-saving device. Plus they eliminate the need for soaking, especially when you're cooking them low and slow, as does the recipe presented here.

What thickens red beans and rice? ›

A slurry is a thickening agent for hot liquids such as soups, stews, and gravies. For this recipe we are going to use 1 tablespoon of cornstarch + 2 tablespoons of COLD (again, COLD) water. Mix the two ingredients and add the slurry to the red beans mixture while stirring.

Are red beans and rice good for weight loss? ›

This combination is a staple in many cultures and cuisines for good reason. Rice and beans are low in calories and high in fiber, which makes them a perfect weight-loss food.

Can I just eat rice and beans everyday? ›

Yes, you can eat rice and beans every day. Many people in third world countries do. Rice and beans are complementary vegetables that together provide all the necessary amino acids and minerals to live on, although either alone will be deficient in some. A 50/50 mix is ideal.

What foods should not go in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  • Raw Meat.
  • Seafood.
  • Pasta.
  • Rice.
  • Delicate Vegetables.
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  • Dairy.
  • Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

Why are my beans still hard after slow cooking? ›

If your water is acidic, the beans will remain hard. You can add some baking soda to the water to eliminate the acidity.

How many hours should you soak red beans before cooking? ›

Before cooking, all dried beans need to be rehydrated by soaking. The 10- to 12-hour overnight soak is the easy and always effective method, but you can quick-soak beans by bringing them to the boil for one minute, then covering the pan and letting them sit for one hour.

What happens if you don't rinse red beans? ›

Rinsing Canned Beans, From a Nutrition Perspective

If you're a relatively healthy person though, enjoying canned beans without draining or rinsing them first is fine. That's because our bodies require sodium to function. It's only when we go above and beyond what we need that it becomes a problem.

What are the symptoms of kidney bean poisoning? ›

nausea and vomiting, followed by diarrhoea and sometimes abdominal pain; recovery is usually rapid. Outbreaks have also been reported in Canada [4] and Australia [5], each incident involving two persons who had consumed 'chili con carne. Square, London SWIP 3MJR.

Why do you have to soak red beans overnight? ›

The idea behind soaking dried beans is that it makes the beans cook more quickly and evenly. It's also been posited that soaking beans breaks down some of their complex sugars, making them easier to digest. Because every stomach is different, we didn't test for digestibility.

Why add vinegar to red beans? ›

Vinegar Makes Red Beans Taste Great!

Vinegar is an acidic liquid produced through fermentation and used in cooking as a flavoring agent and preservative. Its acid content and tangy flavor make it a standard in marinades.

What if there is too much liquid in red beans and rice? ›

If there's too much liquid in the pot, raise the heat back up to a rolling boil to burn off some of the liquid. After letting the pot boil for 10-15 minutes, reduce heat, and let simmer for 20 minutes. To make it a memorable experience, add a bottle of beer to the pot when you add the red beans.

What meat is good with red beans and rice? ›

A few that come to mind are:
  • Fried, grilled or smoked chicken.
  • Fried Oysters, scallops, shrimp or clams.
  • Smothered, grilled or fried pork chops.
  • Steak.
  • Smoked meats such as pork ribs, pulled pork, brisket, or hot links.
  • Fried, grilled, or blackened fish.
  • Meatloaf.
Mar 2, 2018

Is it OK to eat red beans everyday? ›

Yes, beans are a nutritious and healthy food that can be consumed daily as part of a balanced diet. They offer numerous health benefits and are a valuable source of essential nutrients, including: Protein: Beans are an excellent plant-based source of protein, making them a suitable option for vegetarians and vegans.

Is red beans and rice high in carbs? ›

Rice A Roni Red Beans And Rice (2.5 serving) contains 52g total carbs, 47g net carbs, 1g fat, 8g protein, and 240 calories.

Is it safe to eat red beans everyday? ›

Nutritionists often recommend beans as part of a healthy diet because of their high nutritional value. Like other beans, kidney beans can be counted as both a protein source or a vegetable. Eating at least a half-cup of beans per day can improve overall health.

When should I eat red beans and rice? ›

New Orleanians continue, with ritualistic fervor, to consume red beans and rice on Mondays. Spicy Caribbean recipes for beans and rice were brought to the city in the late 1700s by French-speaking Haitians fleeing the revolution in Saint Domingue (modern-day Haiti).

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