Creole-Style Red Beans & Rice

Ingredients

• 1 pack vegan chipotle sausages (Chopped; Field Roast is suggested as a store-bought option.)
• 1 tbsp cooking oil (Use a small amount for sautéing.)
• 0.5 cup onion (Chopped.)
• 0.5 cup green pepper (Chopped.)
• 0.25 cup celery (Chopped.)
• 1 tbsp Creole or Cajun seasoning (Use either Creole or Cajun seasoning.)
• 1.5 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper (Use according to desired heat.)
• 4 cans red beans (Drain if needed before adding; the source specifies four 15-ounce cans.)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• salt (To taste.)
• black pepper (To taste.)
• white or brown rice (Prepared according to package instructions; serve the beans over the cooked rice.)
• hot sauce (For serving.)

Steps

1. 1

   Chop the vegan chipotle sausages into bite-size pieces. Heat the cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat, add the chopped sausages, and sauté for 4–5 minutes, until browned and heated through. Field Roast is suggested as a store-bought vegan chipotle sausage option.

2. 2

   Transfer the sautéed sausages to a bowl and set them aside.

3. 3

   Using the same skillet, add the chopped onion, green pepper, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables begin to soften and become fragrant.

4. 4

   Add the Creole or Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper to the skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring, so the spices become fragrant and coat the vegetables.

5. 5

   Remove the skillet from the heat and set the seasoned vegetables aside.

6. 6

   Add the red beans, bay leaf, fresh thyme, and vegetable broth to a pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

7. 7

   Once the beans begin boiling, use a potato masher to crush some of the beans. Leave some beans whole so the mixture has both a creamy texture and visible bean pieces.

8. 8

   Add the reserved vegan sausages and seasoned vegetables to the pot of beans. Stir to combine, then season with salt and black pepper to taste.

9. 9

   Serve the red beans over white or brown rice prepared according to its package instructions. Finish with hot sauce to taste.

Notes

The recipe does not specify a simmer time after the beans come to a boil; cook until heated through and the beans reach the desired partially mashed consistency. Adjust cayenne and hot sauce to taste.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• vegan
• vegetarian
• dairy-free
• Southern-inspired
• Creole-inspired
• one-pot
• gluten-free