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Louisiana Red Bean Soup

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By Katrina Wells • January 31st, 2026
Steaming bowl of Louisiana Red Bean Soup with fluffy white rice, topped with fresh parsley and smoky andouille sausage. Save
Steaming bowl of Louisiana Red Bean Soup with fluffy white rice, topped with fresh parsley and smoky andouille sausage. | dishvoyager.com

This dish features a smoky blend of sausage and bacon alongside sautéed onion, bell pepper, and celery. Red beans simmer in a seasoned broth with herbs and spices, delivering a rich, comforting flavor. Paired with fluffy long-grain white rice, it's a satisfying meal inspired by Louisiana Creole traditions. Adjust spices for heat and garnish with fresh parsley for added freshness. Serve with cornbread or a green salad to complete the experience.

The first time I made this soup was on a gray, rainy Sunday when nothing sounded better than something bubbling away on the stove for hours. My apartment smelled so incredible that my neighbor actually knocked on my door to ask what I was cooking.

I once served this at a winter dinner party and watched everyone go quiet after the first spoonful. One friend admitted she usually hates bean soup but went back for seconds.

Ingredients

  • Smoked sausage: Andouille is traditional here but any quality smoked sausage brings that essential Creole depth
  • Thick-cut bacon: The optional addition that renders its fat into the pot, creating an incredibly rich base
  • The holy trinity: Onion, bell pepper, and celery diced small because they melt into the soup rather than staying chunky
  • Red kidney beans: Canned work perfectly here, but if you have time, dried beans give an even creamier texture
  • Chicken or vegetable broth: Low sodium lets you control the salt level since the cured meats add plenty already
  • Smoked paprika and cayenne: This spice combination mimics the slow smoke of a proper Louisiana boil without the effort
  • Fresh parsley: Stir it in right at the end for a bright pop that cuts through all that rich smokiness

Instructions

Build your flavor foundation:
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook bacon until crisp and remove it, leaving all that gorgeous rendered fat behind.
Brown the sausage:
Add sliced andouille to the pot and let it develop a nice crust. Remove it and set aside with the bacon.
Sauté the holy trinity:
Cook onion, bell pepper, and celery for 5 to 6 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add garlic for just 1 minute so it does not burn.
Bring it all together:
Return the meats to the pot. Add beans, broth, bay leaf, and all those spices. Stir everything well.
Let it simmer:
Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes. Stir occasionally and add more liquid if it gets too thick.
Make the rice while you wait:
Rinse rice until water runs clear. Combine with water and salt in a saucepan. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes then let steam for 5.
Finish and serve:
Remove the bay leaf and stir in parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into bowls and top with fluffy rice.
Spoon dipping into rich Louisiana Red Bean Soup served over rice, revealing tender vegetables and beans in a savory broth. Save
Spoon dipping into rich Louisiana Red Bean Soup served over rice, revealing tender vegetables and beans in a savory broth. | dishvoyager.com

This recipe became my go to comfort food the year I lived alone. Something about having a pot of this simmering made the apartment feel like home.

Making It Your Own

I have played around with this soup enough to know that the holy trinity of vegetables is not negotiable if you want that authentic Creole taste. Skipping any one of the three changes the entire flavor profile.

Rice Secrets

Rinsing your rice until the water runs clear removes excess starch. That simple step is what keeps each grain separate instead of clumping together when you serve it.

Serving It Right

The way you serve this matters more than you might think. I always put the rice in a separate bowl so people can control their ratio. Some want it more like a stew, others like a proper soup.

  • Keep hot sauce on the table because Louisianans know heat levels are personal
  • A slice of buttered cornbread soaks up every last drop
  • The parsley garnish is not just for looks, it adds essential freshness
Family-style pot of Louisiana Red Bean Soup with rice and garnishes, ready to serve with hot sauce on the side. Save
Family-style pot of Louisiana Red Bean Soup with rice and garnishes, ready to serve with hot sauce on the side. | dishvoyager.com

There is something deeply satisfying about a recipe that turns simple ingredients into something this comforting. Hope it becomes a staple in your kitchen too.

Common Questions

Smoked sausage like andouille adds a deep smoky flavor essential to the dish. You can omit for a vegetarian version, using smoked paprika instead.

Yes, soaked and cooked dried red beans work well, enhancing texture and flavor with proper simmering time.

The cayenne pepper gives a mild kick. You can increase or reduce the amount to suit your preferred heat level.

Rinse the rice before cooking, then simmer with water and a pinch of salt until tender. Let it steam off heat before fluffing.

Yes, flavors meld even better the next day. Reheat gently, adding a splash of broth if needed to maintain consistency.

Crusty cornbread or a simple green salad complement the hearty, flavorful nature of the meal perfectly.

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Steaming bowl of Louisiana Red Bean Soup with fluffy white rice, topped with fresh parsley and smoky andouille sausage.
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Louisiana Red Bean Soup

Savory Louisiana dish with smoked sausage, red beans, vegetables, and fluffy white rice.

Prep 20m
Cook 70m
Total 90m
Servings 6
Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

Meats

  • 9 oz smoked sausage (andouille), sliced
  • 3.5 oz thick-cut bacon, diced (optional)

Vegetables

  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Beans

  • 2 cans (15 oz each) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

Liquids

  • 5 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 bay leaf

Spices & Seasonings

  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Rice

  • 1 1/4 cups long-grain white rice
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

1
Prepare Bacon Base: Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add bacon if using and cook until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside, keeping rendered fat in the pot.
2
Brown Sausage: Add sliced sausage to the pot and cook until well browned. Remove sausage and set aside with the cooked bacon.
3
Sauté Vegetables: Add onion, bell pepper, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
4
Combine Soup Ingredients: Return sausage and bacon to the pot. Add red beans, broth, bay leaf, thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to combine.
5
Simmer Soup: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water or broth if soup becomes too thick.
6
Prepare Rice: While soup simmers, rinse rice under cold water. Combine rice, water, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let steam covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
7
Finish and Season: Remove bay leaf from soup. Stir in chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
8
Serve: Ladle hot soup into bowls and top with a scoop of steamed rice. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired.
Additional Information

Equipment Needed

  • Large Dutch oven or soup pot
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Saucepan with lid
  • Ladle

Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories 480
Protein 20g
Carbs 52g
Fat 19g

Allergy Information

  • Possible gluten in smoked sausage
  • Possible soy in processed sausage
  • Possible sulphites in smoked meats
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Katrina Wells

Passionate home cook sharing simple, flavorful meals and kitchen tips for busy families and food lovers.