Cajun Purple Beans and Rice (Vegan!)

29 de December de 2025

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My Cajun crimson beans and rice is an excellent easy meal that is filled with smoky, spicy Southern taste! The beans cook dinner up splendidly creamy with daring spices, making for an extremely comforting vegan dinner when served over a mattress of fluffy rice.

White wooden surface set with a bowl of Cajun Red Beans and Rice, hot sauce, and pot of beans.

Generally the only meals are the very best! Working example: rice and beans, in mainly any kind. My Spanish rice and beans, Mediterranean chickpeas and rice, and Mexican black beans and rice are a few of my favorites, they usually’re all so easy. Cajun crimson beans and rice is much more fundamental, however they’re arguably the very best. You simply cannot beat the creamy texture of slow-cooked beans and that spicy Southern taste profile.

Soar to:

Now, full disclosure: this rice and beans recipe takes longer than the others I discussed above. That’s as a result of it makes use of dried beans, which want an in a single day soak and a protracted simmer. The excellent news is that the majority of that point is hands-off, and it offers the completed beans the creamiest, most irresistible texture.

If you happen to’re set on utilizing canned beans or wish to make this on a busy weeknight, I get it! I’ve included suggestions within the FAQ part beneath for making this recipe with canned crimson beans.

Substances You may Want

Under you may discover a checklist of elements on this recipe, with notes and substitutions. Scroll all the best way to the underside of the put up to see the total recipe, together with the quantity of every ingredient.

Dried kidney beans. Darkish crimson beans or mild crimson beans will work — cook dinner’s selection!
Vegetable oil. No matter impartial oil you usually prefer to cook dinner with can be utilized.
Onion.
Inexperienced bell pepper.
Celery.
Garlic.
Water.
Dried spices. We’re utilizing a easy mixture of dried thyme, candy paprika, smoked paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and a bay leaf. You may get all of them within the spice aisle of nearly any grocery retailer.
Rice. Lengthy grain white rice is conventional for rice and beans, however be happy to make use of one other selection like brown rice should you choose.
Scorching sauce. I like Crystal model for this recipe, as a result of it really works so properly with Cajun spices and provides a variety of tangy taste together with warmth.
Liquid smoke. Conventional Cajun crimson beans and rice is made with ham hock or sausage, so we’re including smoky taste to this vegan model with a little bit of liquid smoke. You’ll be able to depart it out should you choose!
Salt.
Scallions.

How It is Made

The next is an in depth picture tutorial on make this dish. Scroll all the best way down if you would like to skip proper to the recipe!

Red kidney beans soaking in a bowl of water.

Step 1: Soak the beans. Place them into a big bowl and canopy them with water. The beans will double and even triple in measurement, so ensure that to make use of loads of water. Allow them to soak not less than 8 hours, although in a single day is right. Drain and rinse them after they’re finished.

Diced green peppers, onions, and celery cooking in a pot with a wooden spoon.

Step 2: Cook dinner the greens. Warmth your oil in a pot, then add the holy trinity of veggies: diced onion, inexperienced bell pepper, and celery. Cook dinner the combination for about 10 minutes, stirring it often, till every little thing begins to melt.

Minced garlic cooking in a pot with diced onions, green peppers, and celery.

Step 3: Cook dinner the garlic. Push the veggies to the aspect, add minced garlic, and cook dinner it briefly, till it turns into very aromatic. Make sure to stir the garlic continually to stop it from burning.

Red beans simmering in a pot with green peppers, celery, and onions.

Steps 4 and 5: Simmer. Add the water, dried beans, and spices to the pot. Flip up the warmth and produce every little thing to a boil, then decrease the warmth to a simmer. Cowl the pot and let it cook dinner for a few hours, giving it an occasional stir.

Step 6: Cook dinner the rice. Begin it when the beans have a few half hour left to cook dinner. Merely cook dinner the rice in accordance with the package deal instructions.

Cooked red beans in a pot with a wooden spoon.

Step 7: End the beans. They need to be mushy and a bit creamy after they’re completed. Take the pot off the warmth, take away the bay leaf, and season the beans with salt and sizzling sauce.

Bowl of Cajun Red Beans and Rice with a bottle of hot sauce in the background.

Step 8: Serve. Divide the rice amongst bowls or plates, then high it with the beans. Give every portion a sprinkle of chopped scallions earlier than serving.

Variations

Add greens. Beans and greens are a fantastic mixture! Stir in some chopped up kale, collards, spinach, or chard when the beans have only a few minutes of simmer time left.
Add vegan sausage. Conventional Cajun rice and beans are sometimes served with sausage, so add some vegan sausage to yours! Past Sausage Cajun Solar Sausage or Discipline Roast Spicy Chipotle Sausage each work rather well with this recipe.
Make it additional creamy. Mash a number of the beans utilizing a fork or potato masher.
Make it additional spicy. Add additional sizzling sauce, cayenne pepper, or a minced jalapeño.

Incessantly Requested Questions

Is that this recipe gluten-free?

Sure! The recipe consists of no gluten-containing elements.

Can I make this recipe with canned beans?

You’ll be able to! Use three 15-ounce cans of crimson beans, drained and rinsed. Scale back the water to 2 cups. Simmer the beans uncovered for about quarter-hour, till they’re very mushy and the flavors have melded, including a splash of water if the pot begins to dry out.

Is that this recipe spicy?

If you happen to observe the recipe as written and use Crystal sizzling sauce, it’ll have a slight kick. If you happen to choose no warmth, you’ll be able to omit the cayenne pepper and sizzling sauce, and as an alternative season the beans with a few tablespoons of vinegar.

Extra Vegan Cajun Recipes

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📖 Recipe

Bowl of Cajun Red Beans and Rice with a fork.

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