Red Beans and Rice

A hearty Southern-style dish combining long-grain rice with kidney beans, smoky bacon, and aromatic spices like cumin and smoked paprika. This flavorful one-pot meal features a perfect blend of proteins and carbohydrates.

6 servings
39 min

Ingredients

  • 3 slices bacon slices, chopped
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • ¾ cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups long-grain white rice
  • 3 leaves bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon hot Spanish smoked paprika (Pimentón de la Vera)
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 can kidney beans
  • rinsed
  • drained

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Sauté chopped bacon in heavy 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat until bacon is brown and fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Add onion, red bell pepper, and garlic; sauté until onion is golden, about 5 minutes. Add rice and stir until coated, about 1 minute. Stir in bay leaves, tomato paste, cumin, paprika, and salt. Add 4 cups water and beans and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 18 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand covered 10 minutes. Fluff rice with fork. Remove bay leaves. Transfer rice to bowl and serve.

    39 min