Gluten Free Red Beans and Rice Soup Recipe
While hurricane Irene has been swirling around the Atlantic, hurricane Carol was brewing at our house. I had a bad day yesterday and when I have a bad day, those around me tend to have a bad day too. Funny how that happens.
Fortunately, hurricane Carol petered-out without leaving too much damage and debris in her wake. Let’s hope the same can be said for the Eastern Seaboard after Irene hits this weekend.
The thing about hurricane season here on the Gulf of Mexico is that while the days can be dark and stormy it is still really hot outside. Which poses a dinner dilemma – when it is dark and stormy out and comfort-food is called for but heating up the house is not a great option – what do you make for dinner?
This is a perfect time to pull out the slow cooker. I love the fact that I can have something cooking away, wafting homey, comforting scents into the air, that doesn’t make my air conditioner work overtime.
Ever since Katrina I can’t go into hurricane season without thinking of New Orleans. This hearty, stick to your ribs, gluten free recipe is my homage to New Orleans – Red Beans and Rice Soup.
I love this recipe because it is so packed with flavor, so robust and yet so simple. To make it really easy I started off with a bag of Hurst Family Harvest Bayou Cajun Red Bean Soup mix which has the gluten free seasonings all ready in the mix!
You can make this recipe on the stove top, just simmer the soup for about 2 hours, but I like to prepare everything the night before, while I am already cooking dinner that night and throw it all in the slow cooker in the morning. This was a strategy I employed when my kids were younger, whenever possible I would try to make more than one dinner at a time. Such a great time saver especially at a time when families are adjusting to the kids going back to school and busier schedules.
So here’s hoping that Irene calms down and acts more like Carol than Katrina.
Oh, and if you happen to be in need of a new slow cooker, hop over here and enter to win one!
Gluten Free Red Beans and Rice Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 package Hurst Family Harvest Bayou Cajun Red Bean Soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound andouille sausage - (omit for vegan and vegetarian), sliced
- 1 medium onion - chopped
- 2 large carrots - thickly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic - minced
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 1 cup rice
- 4 cups gluten free chicken or vegetable stock
- 3 cups water
- 3 green onions - sliced
Instructions
- The night before you plan to serve this soup, pour the beans into a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Reserve the seasoning packet for later. Let the beans cool in the water and then refrigerate overnight. Drain the beans and rinse. Put into a slow cooker along with the reserved seasoning packet.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the sliced sausage, onions and carrots. Cook until everything starts to brown, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made up to this point the night before, put in an airtight container and refrigerate.) Put in slow cooker with the beans and add the rice, stock and water. Stir everything to combine. Cook on low for 8 – 10 hours. Garnish soup with green onions.
Nutrition
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Looks so warm and comforting…perfect if a storm comes. I live on the Gulf of Mexico too, praying everyday that we don’t get any hurricanes this year!
I hear you Melanie! I am hoping for an uneventful hurricane season this year.
Looks amazing, Carol! I really must get myself a slow cooker. . .so many of the recipes I want to try use it! And how convenient that there is a giveaway in progress–!! Hope you’re keeping safe. :)
Yes you must get a slow cooker! I love mine. In fact I have had my slow cooker for soooo long (got it as a wedding present a million years ago) I can’t imagine living without one! Go over there and enter to win one and good luck!
I love this soup – and I love your make two dinners tip! Thanks Carol, I am definitely going to use that one. Glad to hear you calmed down :)
Thanks Maggie. My hubby is glad I calmed down too :)
What a tender homage, and what could be better comfort food than something warm that cooks all day by one of my favorite people? Thanks for sharing.
Ah Heather! That’s the sweetest comment ever! Thank you. xo, c
I hope you stay safe and dry this weekend!
Thanks Donna. I think the north is going to get the brunt of it, holding good thoughts for them!
Great idea to cook two meals at once. I hope the storms keep away from your neck of the woods too. We have our share of storms this year here too.
Hello Carol, I make lots of red beans and rice down here in Louisiana. I hope that you enjoyed yours!
I hope to meet you at the GF Expo in Dallas!
Praying for no hurricanes this year!!
Blessings,
Jeanie (Jeanene)
I’ll be there and I hope to meet you too! I’m with you on those no hurricane prayers!
Delicious dish and sweet thoughts, Carol. So glad that both Hurricane Carol and Hurricane Irene are behind us now! Tropical Storm Jose has formed just below Bermuda (how ironic is that?), but will pass by later today … well before we fly there on Tuesday. Thank goodness! Hopefully there will be no damage to Bermuda.
xo,
Shirley
Haha, me too Shirley!
xo,
c
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Mmmm…meaty and bean-y, this could go over well with the family! Couple questions about the bean packet – can you find them in stores, or do you need to order online? What’s the spicy-ness scale of the packet (hubby’s tender-stomached…)? Thanks!
Hi Laura,
I get the beans in my normal grocery store. They are not hot spicy, my hubby has a tender mouth and tummy too. They are flavorful with out the hea, you can always add more heat for those who like with red pepper flakes and hot sauce!
I was just at my local publix, and there were a bunch of Hurst beans on the clearance rack!! Great for me, because they had a red beans one for $1.50. But bummer because they won’t be carrying them anymore. Will try the soup soon!!
Yay! That’s even better!
What a great soup. I would love it!
Thank you Helene!
There is a new GF cookbook out there that is a great read….”In the Land of Misfits, Pirates and Cooks” is a GF cookbook with a Caribbean twist. It is available at Barnes and Noble stores and Amazon dot com.
is the time correct? I put my crockpot on for 8.5 hours and then it warmed for another 1.5. The rice was pretty overcooked. Any ideas?I love your recipes, this one just didn’t work out so well for me.
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