Vegan Crimson Beans and Rice

Deal with your self to this New Orleans-style Vegan Crimson Beans and Rice recipe for a style of Cajun delicacies! Crimson kidney beans are flavored with Southern spices and slow-cooked for an genuine smoky taste then topped with spicy pan-fried vegan sausage for one of the best meatless dish over rice.

This recipe was written on April 27, 2015. It was up to date with extra recipe info on April 17, 2024.

This crimson beans and rice vegan dish is the last word savory consolation meals! It’s bursting with fragrant spices, a contact of liquid smoke, hearty greens, tender kidney beans, and flavorful vegan sausage, making it a satisfying various to the normal meat-based dish. The wealthy provide of nutritional vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and protein lets you nourish your physique whereas additionally having fun with the flavors of a New Orleans crimson beans and rice recipe! 

For many who have a more durable time digesting beans, I present an answer so you possibly can get pleasure from crimson beans and rice with no meat worry-free! This crimson beans recipe consists of directions for correctly soaking the beans, which makes them rather more tender and flavorful than their canned cousins.

When you’ve got a tough time digesting beans, I counsel together with kombu, a mineral-rich seaweed, within the pot of cooking beans to cut back the raffinose sugars – that are the offender for gasoline and digestive issues (supply). The kombu may also aid you soak up extra of the beans’ vitamins (supply). For extra vegan bean recipes, attempt my candy potato bisque with crispy white beans, coconut black bean stew, or genuine vegan black eyed peas.  

Components

Crimson Kidney Beans: This vegetarian crimson beans and rice recipe requires high-quality dried beans soaked earlier than cooking. You should use canned rinsed and drained crimson kidney beans in a pinch. 

Celery: Select recent celery stalks with a crisp texture and vibrant inexperienced colour for one of the best taste. Alternatively, you possibly can substitute celery seeds for celery salt for the same taste. 

Yellow Onion: Go for agency and unblemished onions. Alternatively, swap for Vidalia or candy onions so as to add a barely candy taste. 

Inexperienced Bell Pepper: Provides a pop of inexperienced and crisp taste to the vegan beans and rice. Swap for crimson or yellow bell peppers or a mixture of colours for added colour and taste.

*Collectively, celery, onion, and inexperienced bell pepper make up the Holy Trinity––the foundational base for many Creole and Cajun cooking.

Garlic: Select plump and agency garlic bulbs with tight pores and skin. Alternatively, use pre-minced or jarred garlic for simpler prep. 

Kombu: Provides depth of taste and richness and makes the beans extra digestible. Use a high-quality model of kombu seaweed strips. 

Vegetable Bouillon Cubes or Paste: Use a low-sodium possibility if added sodium issues you. Alternatively, you need to use bouillon paste or swap the bouillon cubes for vegetable broth. My favourite vegetable bouillon paste is Higher Than Bouillon.

Dried Herbs: Entire dried bay leaves and dried thyme give this vegan crimson beans recipe one of the best fragrant taste with delicate earthy and floral notes.

Spices: Smoked paprika and Cajun seasoning add the proper quantity of spice to this dish. Use your favourite model of Cajun seasoning like Slap Ya Mama or make your individual (recipe in my cookbook).

Liquid Smoke: Search for liquid smoke created from pure vegan elements, with no added flavors or preservatives. 

Vegan Sausage: I like to recommend utilizing the Area Roast model within the Smoked Apple or Italian Sausage flavors. Alternatively, you need to use your favourite meat-free sausage. 

Parsley: Contemporary parsley provides a tasty recent natural taste to the vegan rice and beans. Use Italian flat-leaf parsley or curly parsley relying in your desire. 

Oil: Select a impartial oil equivalent to gentle olive oil or avocado oil to sauté the greens and vegan sausage. Alternatively, you need to use grapeseed or canola oil, one other impartial oil, or vegan butter. If you happen to’re oil-free, use heat water to sauté.

Rice: Any number of brown or white rice rice works on this recipe. I like medium-grain brown rice, however you need to use any sized grain and selection.

The way to Make Vegan Crimson Beans and Rice

• Soak kidney beans. Rinse dry beans and take away any particles. Drain, then soak in water for 8 hours. I don’t suggest soaking longer than that or it could actually sluggish the cooking time.
• Sauté Greens. Warmth 2 tablespoons of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium warmth. Add celery, onion, bell pepper, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 4-6 minutes or till aromatic.
• Add Beans. Add the pre-soaked beans and eight cups of water to the pot. Convey to a boil over excessive warmth.

• Simmer Beans. As soon as the pot is at a boil, add the kombu, bay leaves, and thyme. Cut back to medium-low warmth and simmer uncovered for about 90 minutes. Verify midway by means of to skim off any foam that will type on the highest and add additional water if wanted.
• Put together Rice. Whereas the beans are cooking, make your rice following the package deal directions. 
• Pan-fry Sausage. When the rice is sort of cooked, warmth 2 tablespoons of oil in a big skillet over medium warmth and fry the sliced sausage till browned on either side. 

• Spice Beans. When the beans have completed cooking, take away them from the warmth and stir within the bouillon, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, and Cajun seasoning.
• Add Sausage. Stir the vegan sausage into the beans then serve over rice with a garnish of parsley.

Recipe Professional-Suggestions

• Take a look at a bean for doneness. You’ll know the beans are accomplished cooking by the feel. Take one bean from the pot and press it gently between your fingers or on a reducing board; it ought to maintain its form however yield to strain. They need to be tender however not mushy. Prepare dinner time could range relying on the standard and age of your beans.
• Step by step add the liquid smoke. The flavour of liquid smoke might be fairly sturdy, so add it just a little at a time and style as you till the depth of smokiness is to your liking. 
• Double up on bouillon cubes. I like to make use of two bouillon cubes for a extra flavorful and salty broth for this crimson beans and rice recipe with no meat. In case your model is additional salty otherwise you desire a much less savory taste, simply add 1 dice.
• Add some warmth. Make this Cajun crimson beans and rice vegetarian dish additional spicy by growing the quantity of Cajun seasoning, including cayenne pepper or sizzling sauce, utilizing a spicy vegan sausage, or together with diced jalapeños.

Serving Options

Meatless crimson beans and rice is an entire meal served over rice, or pair it with different Southern-inspired aspect dishes for a full unfold, like a few of our favourite recipes beneath!

Storage Instructions

• Refrigeration: Permit crimson beans and rice with out meat to chill to room temperature earlier than transferring to an hermetic container within the fridge for 4-5 days. 
• Freezing: Retailer leftovers in a freezer-safe container for as much as 2-3 months. 
• Reheating: Reheat in a pot or skillet with a splash of water or broth to revive the moisture till heated by means of or within the microwave. If frozen, thaw within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating.

Regularly Requested Questions

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