This hearty classic comes together quickly with ingredients that are easy to keep on hand.
Follow this recipe and you’ll have six filling portions without need for any additions. If you add vegan sausage, you could stretch this further. It’s the epitome of comfort food and it’s even better the next day after the flavors have melded overnight.
I often made red beans and rice from the packets when I was in college. So, this takes me back, but this version is fresher and can be dialed in to fit any taste.
If I have rice sitting around or pouches, this recipe is a great way to make use of it. Otherwise, it’s easy to prepare rice. I like to make it under pressure in our Instant Pot. Otherwise, prepare 6 cups (prepared) from 2 cups (dry) according to directions on the package. You can use any rice blend you like since this recipe is very flavorful and hard to overwhelm.
If you can’t find Marmite or Vegemite (yeast extract) use vegetable bouillon instead.
Maggi is a wonderful salty, savory seasoning that brings everything to life and can be found at any Asian supermarket. But if you can’t find it, use soy sauce instead.
Top with sliced jalapeños for a burst of color, crunch and heat.
INGREDIENTS
- 6 cups prepared long-grain rice
- 1½ TBSP refined coconut oil
- 2 sweet onions, diced
- 3-4 long dashes Maggi
- 3 15 oz cans kidney beans, divided
- 1 tsp Marmite
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 sweet bell pepper, diced
- 1½ tsp Cajun seasoning (no salt)
- 1½-2 tsp salt (to taste)
- ¼ tsp liquid smoke
DIRECTIONS
- Prepare rice
- Add refined coconut oil to a large cast iron pan over medium heat
- Add diced sweet onions to pan
- Add Maggi
- Add Marmite to hot water in a measuring cup and stir to dissolve (making a broth)
- Open one can of kidney beans and pour beans (including liquid) into a high-powered blender.
- Add Marmite broth to the blender.
- Start the blender and blend 10+ minutes.
- Meanwhile, add diced sweet bell pepper to the cast iron pan
- When onions are translucent and sweet bell pepper is softened, pour contents of blender into the pan, and stir it in.
- Add remaining two cans of kidney beans, drained and rinsed.
- Carefully add next three ingredients and stir in.
- In a large bowl, combine the rice and beans
- Consider topping with jalapeño slices
- Serve and enjoy!