Crockpot Red Beans and Rice
Crockpot Red Beans and Rice with Kielbasa – Easy Slow Cooker Dinner
This Crockpot Red Beans and Rice with Kielbasa is a hearty, flavorful, and comforting dinner made with smoky kielbasa sausage, tender red beans, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and delicious Cajun-inspired seasonings. Everything simmers together in the slow cooker, creating a rich, savory meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights!
If you love easy crockpot dinners, this delicious red beans and rice recipe is one you’ll want to add to your regular dinner rotation. The smoky kielbasa adds wonderful flavor to the beans, while the onion, celery, bell pepper, and seasonings create a rich, homestyle sauce.
Serve the tender beans and sausage over a big helping of fluffy white rice for a filling, budget-friendly family dinner.
This easy slow cooker recipe is perfect for chilly evenings, Sunday suppers, meal prep, or anytime you’re craving a delicious Southern-inspired comfort food meal.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6–7 hours on LOW
Total Time: Approximately 7 hours
Servings: 6–8
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Red Beans and Rice
- Easy slow cooker dinner: Just add the ingredients to your crockpot and let everything simmer.
- Smoky kielbasa sausage: Adds delicious savory flavor to the tender beans.
- Budget-friendly: Made with affordable pantry staples and simple ingredients.
- Hearty and filling: Protein-rich beans, sausage, and fluffy rice make a satisfying dinner.
- Perfect for meal prep: The flavors become even better after sitting overnight.
- Great comfort food: A delicious meal for fall, winter, or busy family weeknights.
Ingredients
For the Red Beans and Kielbasa
- 2 cans (15–16 ounces each) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 14 ounces smoked kielbasa sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained, optional
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter, optional
- Hot sauce, to taste
For Serving
- 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
- Water, according to rice package directions
- Chopped green onions, optional
- Fresh parsley, optional
How to Make Crockpot Red Beans and Rice with Kielbasa
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Dice the onion, green bell pepper, and celery into small, evenly sized pieces.
Mince the garlic and slice the kielbasa sausage into approximately 1/4-inch-thick rounds.
Step 2: Add the Ingredients to the Crockpot
Place the drained and rinsed canned red kidney beans into a 5- or 6-quart slow cooker.
Add the sliced kielbasa, onion, bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic.
Step 3: Add the Seasonings
Pour in the chicken broth and add the diced tomatoes, if using.
Stir in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
Add the bay leaf and stir everything together.
Step 4: Slow Cook
Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for approximately 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have blended together.
Because this recipe uses fully cooked canned kidney beans, the slow cooker is simply heating and flavoring the beans rather than cooking dried beans from scratch.
Step 5: Thicken the Beans
Approximately 30 minutes before serving, remove the bay leaf.
Use the back of a spoon or a potato masher to mash about 1/2 cup of the beans directly in the crockpot.
Stir the mashed beans back into the mixture to create a thicker, creamier sauce.
Add the butter, if using, and stir until melted.
Allow the mixture to continue cooking for another 20–30 minutes.
Step 6: Cook the Rice
Prepare the white rice separately according to the package directions.
Fluff with a fork before serving.
Step 7: Serve
Spoon a generous serving of fluffy white rice into a bowl.
Ladle the warm red beans and kielbasa over the rice.
Garnish with chopped green onions, fresh parsley, or a few dashes of hot sauce.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Jennie’s Thoughts
I absolutely love making hearty crockpot dinners, especially recipes that are easy to prepare and full of delicious flavor.
This Crockpot Red Beans and Rice with Kielbasa is such a wonderful comfort food meal! The smoky kielbasa sausage adds so much flavor to the beans, and I love how the onions, peppers, garlic, and Cajun seasonings cook together to create a rich, savory sauce.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how simple it is to put together. You can add everything to the slow cooker, let it simmer throughout the afternoon, and have a delicious homemade dinner waiting for you.
I especially love serving the beans and sausage over fluffy white rice because the rice soaks up all that wonderful sauce.
This is the kind of easy family dinner that’s perfect for a chilly evening, and it’s even better with a warm piece of homemade cornbread on the side!
Tips for the Best Crockpot Red Beans and Rice
Use smoked kielbasa. The smoky flavor adds richness to the beans and makes the finished dish extra delicious.
Brown the sausage first for extra flavor. If you have a few extra minutes, brown the kielbasa slices in a skillet before adding them to the crockpot. This creates delicious caramelized edges.
Use canned beans for convenience. Canned kidney beans are already fully cooked and work beautifully in this easy slow cooker recipe.
Mash some of the beans. Mashing a small portion of the cooked beans helps naturally thicken the sauce without adding flour or cornstarch.
Adjust the Cajun seasoning. Some Cajun seasoning blends are saltier or spicier than others, so adjust the amount to your preference.
Cook the rice separately. This keeps the rice fluffy and prevents it from becoming mushy in the slow cooker.
Add hot sauce at the end. This allows everyone to customize the heat level of their serving.
What Kind of Beans Are Best for Red Beans and Rice?
Red kidney beans are a convenient choice for this easy crockpot recipe because they hold their shape while developing a soft, creamy texture.
You can also use canned small red beans, which are closer to the beans traditionally used in Louisiana-style red beans and rice.
Both options work well with the smoky kielbasa and Cajun-inspired seasonings.
Important: This recipe specifically calls for canned, fully cooked kidney beans. Do not substitute raw or soaked dried kidney beans directly into the slow cooker. Dried kidney beans must be properly boiled before slow cooking to destroy naturally occurring toxins.
What to Serve with Red Beans and Rice
This hearty slow cooker meal is delicious on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with classic Southern-inspired side dishes.
Some of my favorites include:
- Homemade Buttermilk Cornbread
- Cheesy Cornbread Waffles
- Southern Fried Cabbage
- Baked Cabbage Steaks
- Garlic Bread
- Collard Greens
- Homemade Dinner Rolls
- Simple Green Salad
A warm slice of buttery cornbread is especially delicious for soaking up the savory bean sauce.
Delicious Variations
Spicy Cajun Red Beans and Rice
Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or your favorite Louisiana-style hot sauce for a spicier version.
Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage
Replace the kielbasa with smoked andouille sausage for a more traditional Louisiana-inspired flavor.
Creamy Crockpot Red Beans
Mash an additional cup of beans near the end of cooking to create a thicker, creamier consistency.
Red Beans and Rice with Bacon
Add a few tablespoons of cooked, crumbled bacon for an extra smoky flavor.
Red Beans and Rice Without Tomatoes
Simply omit the diced tomatoes for a more traditional-style red beans and rice. Add an extra 1/2 cup of broth if needed.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow the red beans and kielbasa to cool slightly before transferring them to airtight containers.
Store the beans and rice separately in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat the beans in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce has thickened.
Reheat the rice thoroughly until steaming hot.
For longer storage, freeze the cooled red beans and kielbasa in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Can You Make Crockpot Red Beans and Rice Ahead of Time?
Absolutely!
This is a wonderful make-ahead dinner because the flavors become even more delicious as they sit.
You can prepare the red beans and kielbasa one day in advance and refrigerate them in an airtight container.
When you’re ready to serve, gently reheat the beans and prepare a fresh batch of white rice.
It’s a great option for busy weeknights or meal prepping lunches for the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make red beans and rice in a crockpot?
Yes! The slow cooker is a wonderful way to prepare red beans and rice, especially when using canned, fully cooked beans. The ingredients simmer together and develop a rich, savory flavor.
Can I use kielbasa instead of andouille sausage?
Absolutely! Kielbasa is a delicious substitute for andouille sausage. It has a milder, smoky flavor that works beautifully with red beans and Cajun-inspired seasonings.
Do I need to cook the kielbasa before adding it to the crockpot?
No. Fully cooked smoked kielbasa can be sliced and added directly to the slow cooker. However, browning it first adds extra flavor.
Can I put uncooked rice in the crockpot with the beans?
For this recipe, I recommend cooking the rice separately. This prevents the rice from absorbing too much liquid and becoming overly soft.
How do you thicken crockpot red beans and rice?
The easiest way is to mash a portion of the cooked beans and stir them back into the sauce. This creates a naturally creamy texture.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a mild Cajun-inspired flavor, but the spice level depends on the seasoning blend you use. Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce if you prefer a spicier meal.
Can I use dried kidney beans?
Not directly in this recipe. Raw or soaked dried kidney beans should never be cooked solely in a slow cooker because they contain a naturally occurring toxin that requires proper boiling to destroy. Use canned beans, or fully boil and cook dried kidney beans using established food-safety guidance before adding them to the slow cooker.
More Easy Crockpot Dinner Recipes
If you love this Crockpot Red Beans and Rice with Kielbasa, be sure to try some of our other delicious slow cooker meals, including Crockpot Kielbasa and Potatoes, Crockpot Salisbury Steak, Crockpot Chili Spaghetti, and Crockpot Meatloaf.
This easy Crockpot Red Beans and Rice with Kielbasa is a delicious, budget-friendly dinner that’s full of smoky sausage, tender beans, and wonderful savory flavor. It’s the perfect meal for busy families who love hearty homemade comfort food!
