Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe

175 Comments

4.74 from 50 votes
Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This delicious Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice recipe is a traditional Creole red beans and rice favorite made easy in the slow cooker! Freezes well for meal prepping too!

White bowl filled with Red Beans and Rice, with pieces of smoked sausage, garnished with green onion and parsley.

Red Beans and Rice is definitely a favorite meal at my house. It’s so comforting and delicious. The ingredients for this satisfying meal are inexpensive, readily available in the grocery store, and usually found in most stocked pantries.

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe

When I was growing up, my Mama would make Red Beans and Rice when she knew she would be home all day so that she could tend to it on the stove. Now, I just take about 5 minutes to toss the ingredients into the slow cooker, set the timer, and smell the deliciousness as it cooks. There is no need to babysit the pot or hover around the kitchen, which makes this remake of a family favorite super simple to make and a winner in my book!

Slow cooker insert filled with red beans, chopped onion, sliced sausage.

How to Make Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe

To make this dish, you’ll need the following ingredients and a slow cooker.

Ingredients

Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.

  • beans – You will need three (15-ounce) cans of red kidney beans. You’ll drain two cans and leave one undrained for this recipe.
  • sausage – Use your preference of a mild smoked sausage or a spicy andouille sausage for more spice.
  • celery – chopped
  • green bell pepper – chopped
  • onion – chopped
  • garlic cloves – I also love to use Stone House Seasoning in place of the salt and garlic in this recipe. If using instead of the garlic cloves and salt, use 1 1/2 teaspoons.
  • seasoning – Use Worcestershire sauce (or coconut aminos), salt, and chili powder. If using Stone House Seasoning in place of the garlic cloves, omit the salt.
  • long grain rice – cooked according to package instructions
  • optional garnish: green onions and/ or fresh parsley
Slow Cooker insert with red beans, onions, seasonings, bell pepper, sliced sausage.

Step by Step Instructions

Prep. Add red beans (2 cans drained, 1 can undrained), smoked sausage, celery, bell pepper, onion, garlic (or Stone House Seasoning), Worcestershire sauce (or coconut aminos), salt, and chili powder to a 6-quart slow cooker.

Cook. Stir all of the ingredients together so that they are well combined. Place the lid onto your slow cooker and set the timer for 4 hours on High. Once the beans and other vegetables are tender, give your red beans another stir to combine all of the flavors. I have to say, the aroma coming from the slow cooker is out of this world!

Slow Cooker with cooked red beans recipe with sausage, bell pepper and onions all spooned into a ladle.

Cook rice. As the red beans are finishing, cook your favorite rice according to the package directions.

Spoon in a bowl of garnished Red Beans with sausage and bell pepper and onions.

Serve. Once both beans and rice are done, add rice to each serving bowl. Top each bowl of rice with a serving of the red beans. To garnish, top your red beans and rice with chopped green onions and chopped fresh parsley. Serve and enjoy!

How to Store Red Beans and Rice

This recipe is perfect to make ahead and it freezes well.

Refrigerator

Once cooled, place cooked and cooled red beans in an air-tight container(s) and do the same for the cooled rice. It will last 5-6 days in the refrigerator.

Freezer

To freeze, allow the red beans and the rice to cool completely. Portion each into a freezer-safe container(s). Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat and serve.

More Slow Cooker Favorites

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Classic Pot Roast

White Chicken Chili

Vegetable Soup

Here’s my Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe

4.74 from 50 votes
Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe โ€“ A traditional Creole red beans and rice recipe that everyone loves made easy in the slow cooker! 
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 10

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 (15-ounce cans) red kidney beans,, drained
  • 1 (15-ounce can) red kidney beans,, undrained
  • 1/2 pound smoked sausage, thinly sliced (andouille or smoked)
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 medium bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, or coconut aminos
  • ยฝ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ยผ teaspoon chili powder
  • 4 cups uncooked long grain rice

Optional Garnish

  • green onions, chopped, for garnish
  • fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions 

  • Add red kidney beans, smoked sausage, celery, bell pepper, onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and chili powder to a 6-quart slow cooker. Set on high setting and cook for 4 hours.
  • Cook rice according to package directions.
  • Serve red beans over top of the cooked rice. Top with fresh green onions and parsley.

Notes

Substitutions:
Andouille Sausage. This is a mild recipe with smoked sausage.ย  For a spicier version, use a spicy andouille sausage.ย 
Stone House Seasoning. Use 1 1/2 teaspoons Stone House Seasoning in place of the garlic and salt called for in the recipe.ย 
How to Store Red Beans and Rice:
To store. Once cooled, place cooked and cooled red beans in air tight container(s) and do the same for the cooled rice. It will last 5-6 days in the refrigerator.
To freeze. Allow the red beans and the rice to cool completely. Portion each into freezer safe container(s). Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 502kcal | Carbohydrates: 89g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 354mg | Potassium: 826mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 13.2mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Slow cooker red beans and rice graphic with text.

Originally published September 2017.

Welcome to Add A Pinch

About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

4.74 from 50 votes (11 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Review




175 Comments

  1. Brittany says:

    5 stars
    I made this for the 1st today and it was great. Followed the instructions, but the only thing I added was some hot sauce. Making sure I bookmark this page to make again. Thanks for the recipe from a single mom learning to cook.

    1. Robyn Stone says:

      The hot sauce sounds like a wonderful addition, Brittany! I’m going to try that myself next time. I’m excited for you learning to cook. Please reach out if you have any questions or things you’d like help with learning to cook! I’m here to help! xo