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Red Beans – Classic & Flavorful Recipe

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup dried red beans or 2 cans cooked red beans
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 bell pepper diced
  • 1 celery stalk diced
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional
  • 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Optional Add-Ins
  • 1 cup cooked sausage or smoked ham
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes fresh or canned
  • Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
  • Hot sauce for serving

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Beans
  • Dried beans: Rinse, soak overnight or quick-soak (boil 2 min, sit 1 hour). Drain and rinse.
  • Sauté Aromatics
  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  • Add onion, garlic, bell pepper, and celery; cook 4–5 minutes until softened.
  • Add Seasonings
  • Stir in smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Toast 30 seconds.
  • Add Beans and Broth
  • Add soaked beans and pour in broth.
  • Toss in bay leaf and bring to a boil.
  • Simmer
  • Reduce heat, cover, and simmer:
  • Dried beans: 1–1.5 hours
  • Canned beans: 20–30 minutes
  • Stir occasionally; add water or broth if needed.
  • Add Protein (Optional)
  • Add sausage or ham during last 20 minutes of cooking.
  • Finish and Serve
  • Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro. Serve hot over rice, with cornbread, or on its own

Notes

Soak beans for even cooking and reduced time.
Add acidic ingredients (tomatoes, vinegar) at the end to prevent toughness.
Simmer gently to avoid mushy beans.
Smoked meat adds depth; skip for vegetarian version.