• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

  • About
  • Media/Pr
  • Contact
I Heart Recipes

  • Recipe Index
  • Soul Food
  • Slow Cooker
  • Dinner
  • Side Dishes
  • Dessert
  • Breakfast
  • Appetizers

  • My Latest Cookbook!
  • Rosamae Seasonings

  • About
  • Media/Pr
  • Contact
X
  • Recipe Index
  • Soul Food
  • Slow Cooker
  • Dinner
  • Side Dishes
  • Dessert
  • Breakfast
  • Appetizers
I Heart Recipes
I Heart Recipes

I Heart Recipes

Recipes You'll Love, Made Easy!

  • My Latest Cookbook!
  • Rosamae Seasonings
  • Recipe Index
  • Soul Food
  • Slow Cooker
  • Dinner
  • Side Dishes
  • Dessert
  • Breakfast
  • Appetizers
All Posts / Southern Red Beans and Rice

Southern Red Beans and Rice

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
By Rosie Published: July 1, 2014 Updated: July 11, 2023
This post may contain affiliate links.

Southern red beans and rice is the perfect side to fried chicken!

 A couple months ago I shared a recipe for my true southern fried chicken. I even told you all that I personally think it’s better than Popeye’s Chicken. Well I could leave you guys hanging. I had to share my recipe for my southern red beans and rice. My fried chicken and red beans and rice go together like peanut butter and jelly. They are just the perfect match!

Like my fried chicken, my southern red beans and rice ( in my opinion) blows Popeye’s recipe out of the water. I honestly don’t think there is any competition.

This recipe for southern red beans and rice is, hands-down, the best around!

Before I actually cook the beans I do a quick soak method. I never soak my beans over night, because AIN’T NO BODY GOT TIME FOR THAT! Usually the directions for the quick soak method are on the package of the beans but if not, follow these directions

    1. Sort the beans, and remove any little rotten beans
    2. Rinse the beans under cool water, and gently scrub, using your finger tips.
    3. Drain the beans.
    4. Bring about six cups of water to a boil.
    5. Add the bean to the water.
    6. Turn the burner off, and remove the pot from the heat.
    7. Cover the pot, and let the beans soak for 2 hours
    8. After two hours, drain the beans.
    9. Now it’s time to cook the beans!!

When I recorded the video for this recipe, I used smoked ham chunks. If you don’t have that on hand- no need to worry! Here are other meats that will work just as good!

    • Ham Hocks – Take much longer to cook. About 6 hours on high, along with 8 cups of water, in a slow cooker. Reserve the broth, and transfer to a pot.
    • Smoked Turkey Legs, Wing, or Necks – Boil for 45 minutes over high heat in 8 cups water. Reserve broth.
    • Pork Neck Bones – Boil for 45 minutes over high heat in 8 cups water. Reserve broth.
    • Bacon ( Turkey or Pork) – Prepare the same way as the ham in the directions below
    • Smoked Turkey Tails – Boil for 45 minutes over high heat in 8 cups water. Reserve broth.

Watch my video tutorial, and don’t forget to leave me a comment below! If you haven’t tried my True Southern Fried Chicken, be sure to do so! XOXO

Southern Red Beans and Rice

This Southern Red Beans and Rice is a classic! It's savory, delicious and the perfect side for your favorite fried chicken.
Watch Video Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine Southern/ Soul Food
Keyword Southern Red Beans and Rice
Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 16 oz bag of dry dark red kidney beans
  • 1 medium sized white onion diced
  • 1 lb smoked ham ham hock, smoked turkey wing
  • 1 tsp vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp cajun seasoning
  • 1 tsp crushed cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp crushed black pepper
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 8 -10 cups water
  • 4 cups cooked rice.
  • * optional
  • green onions and paprika for garnishing

Instructions

  • Start of by sorting and rinsing the beans, then do a quick soak (directions for the quick soak method are on the package of the beans).
  • Add one tsp of vegetable oil in a large pot, then begin to brown the smoked meat over medium high heat. Add in the onions, and cook until they start to sweat.
  • Pour in 8 cups water.
  • Drain the beans, then add them to the pot. Stir the ingredients, reduce the heat to medium, and cover the pot.
  • Cook for 30 minutes. Add in 2 more cups of water. Sprinkle in the cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, ground cayenne, and ground black pepper.
  • Stir the beans, and cover. Cook for another 45 minutes over medium heat.
  • Place the beans in a bowl. Add some rice on top of the beans in the center of the bowl, and add more beans.
  • Garnish with smoked paprika, and green onions

Video

If you loved this recipe, leave me a review below. This helps future recipe makers and ensures continued high-quality recipes for years to come!
© 2024 I Heart Recipes
Recipe by: I Heart Recipes
480 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

EXPLORE RECIPE CATEGORIESAll Posts, Dinner, Mains, Sides, Southern Recipes

MEET THE RECIPE AUTHOR

Rosie

I’m a Soul Food blogger living in the Pacific Northwest, bringing Southern cooking to gorgeous Seattle, Washington. I was born and raised in the PNW, but my family roots go all the way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where my grandparents were born and raised. I live every day to bring the traditional values, recipes, and love of food to life for my family—whether they’re online or in real life. So, welcome to the party, family!

Related Recipes

  • Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
  • Southern Green Beans and Potatoes
    Southern Green Beans and Potatoes
  • green beans, bacon, potatoes
    Southern Green Beans, Bacon, and Potatoes
  • Southern Green Beans and Potatoes with Smoked Turkey

Free Email Guide

My favorite seasonal tips & recipes

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Helpful comments include feedback on the recipe or changes you made.

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. jill says

    July 2, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    Can you do these without meat?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      July 24, 2014 at 3:51 pm

      Yes you can. It won’t be as flavorful, but you can try adding different seasonings, and etc for spice it up.

      Reply
  2. Lesley G says

    January 13, 2015 at 9:41 am

    Hi, how do you think Polish Sausage or Kielbasa would work with this?? I want to try this, but don’t want to be disappointed if the flavoring is off.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      January 13, 2015 at 2:04 pm

      I’ve tried polish sausage before, and all of the flavor went into the beans, leaving the meat really bland. I don’t recommend it 🙁

      Reply
  3. Mariah Ivy says

    January 20, 2015 at 6:38 am

    I want to cook the red beans with beef neck bones in a crock pot. How long must I cook them and must I cook on high or low temp.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      January 23, 2015 at 11:36 am

      That is a completely different recipe than the one that I have written here.

      Reply
  4. Veronica Maddox says

    March 4, 2015 at 2:26 pm

    Making this tonight ! What do I use the broth from the turkey for? Can I put some in my beans ?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      March 6, 2015 at 11:21 am

      Yes you can. 🙂

      Reply
  5. karena says

    March 6, 2015 at 1:44 pm

    Do you have a recipe for a chicken or tuna wrap

    Reply
  6. Dibiana says

    December 22, 2015 at 4:34 am

    Thank you so much Rosie, you’re the best

    Reply
  7. Myra says

    January 31, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    So glad I found your Instagram page and your blog!! Made these beans today!! Delicious!! Thanks for sharing your gift with the world!!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      February 2, 2016 at 8:56 am

      Hi Myra! I’m glad that you found my blog as well!! XOXO

      Reply
  8. Ms.felicia says

    July 24, 2016 at 1:41 pm

    Hey ms. Rosie how are you I saw this picture and thought wow those look good and the video looked pretty simple and so I really want to make them but how ever I’m searching up and down just to find the printable recipe with the correct amount of ingredients to use and i find that there isn’t one I would appreciate it if you could send me some info on how much ham and seasonig to use.

    Reply
  9. Sam says

    July 29, 2016 at 7:46 am

    Hi,
    For this recipe, are you saying for the six cups of water add the beans and boil. Reading this it reads as if you’re saying to boil the water then add the beans, please clarify. The beans really look delicious.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      July 29, 2016 at 6:23 pm

      Hi Sam. I added the written recipe & directions. Check it out! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Keisha Earl says

    November 24, 2016 at 10:19 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for this recipe. My fiancee requested red beans and rice with smoked pork neck and kielbasa for Thanksgiving. I don’t really throw down in the kitchen too much so I wasn’t sure how to pull it off. Was so glad to find your blog. I used the broth from the pork necks and I blended about a cup of the final cooked recipe to give it a creamier texture, per his request. It came out great!

    Reply
  11. Nikki says

    February 10, 2019 at 5:19 pm

    Yummy I’m going to make this tomorrow

    Reply
  12. Jenean says

    July 11, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe it was flavorful. As a matter of fact I am going to make it again for dinner with your coconut curry fried chicken.

    Reply
  13. DANELLE says

    December 26, 2022 at 6:54 am

    5 stars
    Can I do this in the Crock-Pot without the soaking process like your pinto bean recipe? I absolutely love my Crock-Pot and try to do anything I can in there. But I don’t want to soak them and they get mushy.

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      December 26, 2022 at 4:04 pm

      Yes, you can 🙂

      Reply
  14. Chanteria McGee Harris says

    September 12, 2023 at 8:30 am

    5 stars
    You have the best family recipes! Words can’t describe how much I appreciate your recipes. Thanks for all that you do!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hey cousins, it’s Rosie!

I’m a Soul Food blogger living in the Pacific Northwest, bringing Southern cooking to gorgeous Seattle, Washington. I was born and raised in the PNW, but my family roots go all the way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where my grandparents were born and raised. I live every day to bring the traditional values, recipes, and love of food to life for my family—whether they’re online or in real life. So, welcome to the party, family!

FOLLOW ALONG

  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • Subscribe

Subscribe by Email

Keep up with all things Rosie & I Heart Recipes and subscribe—it’s FREE!

Order Rosie

Mayes New Cookbook

In this newest cookbook, Rosie shares the must-have recipes in her Holiday spread. Holiday favorites from mains to sides and, of course, pies and desserts—all made Cousin Rosie style.

ORDER NOW!

Learn More

Reader Favorites

Smothered Oxtail

Southern Slow Cooker Smothered Oxtails

yams

Baked Candied Yams – Soul Food Style!

Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake

Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese

Best Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Oven Baked Barbecue Pork Chops

Tex Mex Ground Beef Skillet

Free Email Guide

My favorite seasonal tips & recipes

Footer

FOLLOW ALONG

  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • Subscribe

Recipe Index

  • Appetizers
  • Breakfast
  • Dessert
  • Side Dishes
  • Slow Cooker
  • Soul Food

Resources

  • Subscribe by Email
  • Join on Facebook
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

About

  • Meet Rosie Mayes
  • Rosamae Seasonings
  • Super Soul Food Cookbook
  • I Heart Soul Food Cookbook
  • Let’s Work Together!

© 2024 I Heart Recipes  ·  All Rights Reserved  ·  Website Design by Anchored Design

480 shares