Savory Smoked Turkey Red Beans and Rice
This hearty dish combines tender smoked turkey sausage with a medley of vibrant vegetables and creamy red beans, all served over a fluffy bed of seasoned rice. Perfect for busy weeknights, this Savory Smoked Turkey Red Beans and Rice recipe is not only satisfying but also packed with flavor and nutrition. It's an excellent dish for gathering family and friends around the table, and it pairs nicely with crusty French bread and a splash of hot sauce for an extra kick.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
raw long grain rice
1 1/2 cups (rinsed and drained)
canola oil
3 tablespoons (divided)
water
2 3/4 cups (for cooking rice)
medium onion
1 (diced)
bell pepper
1 (diced)
celery stalks
3 (diced)
smoked turkey sausage
1 lb (sliced)
red cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon (to taste)
bay leaf
1 (whole)
minced garlic
1 teaspoon (fresh)
canned diced tomatoes
1 can (with juice)
canned red beans
2 cans (undrained)
salt
to taste (freshly ground)
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
hot sauce
to taste (for serving)
Instructions
1
In a medium non-stick pan, heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil or butter over medium heat.
2
Add the raw rice to the pan and stir well in the hot oil until most grains become opaque, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
3
Pour in 2 3/4 cups of water, raise the heat to high and bring it to a boil.
4
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes. If using brown rice, adjust the cooking time and water slightly as needed.
5
While the rice is cooking, dice the onion, bell pepper, and celery into small pieces.
6
In a large non-stick pan or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of canola oil or butter over medium heat.
7
Add the diced onion, bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, approximately 5-7 minutes.
8
Add the sliced smoked turkey sausage to the pan and cook until heated through and slightly browned, about 5 minutes.
9
Stir in the red cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning, and bay leaf, continuing to sauté for an additional 3 minutes to fuse the flavors.
10
Add the can of diced tomatoes (with juice) and the two cans of undrained red beans to the pan. Stir to combine everything.
11
Season with salt, pepper, and hot sauce to taste, then let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Remove and discard the bay leaf after simmering.
12
To serve, scoop approximately 3/4 cup of rice into a large soup bowl and ladle the red bean and sausage mixture over the top.
13
Accompany with fresh French bread and provide additional hot sauce on the side for those who enjoy a bit more heat.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Smoked Turkey Red Beans and Rice?
It is a hearty dish that combines tender smoked turkey sausage with a medley of vegetables and creamy red beans, served over seasoned rice.
What kind of rice is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of raw long grain rice.
How should the rice be prepared before cooking?
The raw long grain rice should be rinsed and drained before starting the cooking process.
How do I start cooking the rice?
Heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil or butter in a medium non-stick pan over medium heat, then stir in the rice until the grains become opaque.
How much water is needed to cook the rice?
You will need 2 3/4 cups of water to cook the rice.
How long does the rice need to simmer?
The rice should simmer for 15 minutes after the water has been brought to a boil and the heat is reduced to low.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but you will need to adjust the cooking time and water amount slightly according to the rice's specific requirements.
What vegetables are included in the dish?
The recipe includes onion, bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic.
How should the onion, bell pepper, and celery be prepared?
They should be diced into small pieces.
How long do the vegetables need to sauté?
Sauté the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic for approximately 5-7 minutes until they are tender.
What type of sausage is used in this recipe?
The recipe specifically uses 1 lb of sliced smoked turkey sausage.
When do I add the smoked turkey sausage?
Add the sliced sausage to the pan after the vegetables have become tender and cook for about 5 minutes until heated through.
What seasonings provide the Cajun flavor?
The dish is seasoned with Cajun seasoning, red cayenne pepper, and a bay leaf.
How much Cajun seasoning should I use?
The recipe suggests 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, but you can adjust this to your taste.
What should I do with the bay leaf?
The bay leaf should be added during the seasoning phase and then removed and discarded after the mixture has finished simmering.
Do I need to drain the canned diced tomatoes?
No, you should add the canned diced tomatoes along with their juice.
Do I need to drain the red beans?
No, use two cans of red beans and keep them undrained for the recipe.
How long should the bean and sausage mixture simmer?
The mixture should simmer for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
What is the recommended serving size for the rice?
Scoop approximately 3/4 cup of rice into a large soup bowl for each serving.
How is the dish assembled for serving?
Ladle the red bean and sausage mixture over the top of the portioned rice in a soup bowl.
What side dish pairs well with this recipe?
Crusty French bread is highly recommended as an accompaniment.
How can I add extra heat to the dish?
You can add red cayenne pepper to taste and provide additional hot sauce on the side.
Is this recipe suitable for a busy weeknight?
Yes, it is described as a perfect dish for busy weeknights because it is satisfying and relatively quick to prepare.
How much oil is used in total for the recipe?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of canola oil in total, divided between the rice and the vegetable sauté.
What kind of garlic is best for this recipe?
Freshly minced garlic is recommended, specifically 1 teaspoon.
Is this dish considered healthy?
Yes, the description notes that the dish is packed with nutrition and uses smoked turkey as a leaner meat option.
What category of cuisine does this recipe fall under?
It is categorized as Cajun cuisine and soul food.
How many cans of red beans are required?
The recipe requires two cans of red beans.
When do I add the salt and pepper?
Season with salt and pepper to taste just before the final 15-minute simmer.
Can I use butter instead of canola oil?
Yes, the recipe allows for the use of either canola oil or butter for both the rice and the sautéing steps.