Delicious and Easy Red Beans and Rice in the Slow Cooker

You are going to LOVE this red beans and rice in the slow cooker because it is so delicious and easy!

You can make it by throwing all the ingredients in the slow cooker/ crock pot in the morning, and poof! Dinner practically prepares itself.

Note: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. See my full affiliate disclosure policy here.

Side note: If you prefer to make this traditionally on the stovetop, see my stovetop red beans and rice.

How to make slow cooker red beans and rice

First, gather your ingredients.

Ingredients

For tastiest results, always use the best quality ingredients you have access to. To make this slow cooker red beans and rice recipe, you will need the following:

• onion
• bell pepper
• celery
• garlic
• chicken andouille sausage (or your favorite andouille sausage)
• dry red beans (or red kidney beans work well too)
• salt and pepper
• white pepper (optional – still good without it)
• hot sauce
• thyme – fresh or dried
• bay leaves
• water
• 10 cups cooked rice (prepared just prior to serving)

Assembling this recipe

After you prep/ chop and measure your ingredients, just add them to the slow cooker. Except for the rice! I cook that just prior to serving at meal time.

Slow cooking red beans and rice

So how long does the red bean mixture need to cook? It depends on which setting you use.

On high, it will need to cook for about 6 hours. On low, it will need at least 10 hours. Of course slow cooker can vary a little bit, so it wouldn’t hurt to plan some buffer time. The beans will keep warm for a while if needed, no problem. And if they need extra cook time, make sure the pot is turned to high, and cook a bit longer.

My slow cooker (<- Amazon affiliate link) is one of my most used kitchen appliances. It is SUCH a valuable tool for making really yummy food that is easy to set and forget. Perfect for busy folks! Which, aren’t we ALL?!

Side note: If you want to make this dish quicker (like less than 2 hours, starting with dry beans), check out my Instant Pot red beans and rice recipe!

Serving

Like I mentioned, I cook the rice just ahead of meal time so that it will be ready in time to serve. I have a rice cooker, but you can also prepare it on the stovetop.

Serve with some diced green onion, extra hot sauce if you wish and a side of southern skillet cornbread.

Important cooking tips and notes

PS: You do not have to soak your dried beans ahead of time! Yes, you heard me right. This article from the LA Times explains why.

I did rinse mine, but I did NOT soak them, and this turned out perfect. I use this same method for my slow cooker black bean soup too, and it also is a gem of a recipe.

Note: Since they are not pre-soaked you will need to allow plenty of time to cook. I would suggest at least 10 hours on low, or at least 6 hours on high. This might vary a little if your slow cooker is different than mine.

Update Note: Please make sure your crock pot heats up hot enough to eliminate any potential toxins, as explained here. My crock pot gets very hot, so it works out fine for us to cook them this way. If you are in doubt, go ahead and soak your beans first just to be safe. I do not want anyone to get sick from this recipe!

What type of sausage should I use?

You can use any type of cajun sausage, but I am using Amylu’s chicken andouille sausage that I found at Costco. I had never used this in any recipe before, and I bought it on a whim…as I so often do at Costco! (<- anybody else?? I am a sucker for the sample pushers too.)

You can use any type of andouille or cajun sausage though – pork, chicken or even vegan andouille sausages work great.

More Cajun Recipes You May Enjoy

• Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice – tastes like this version, only quicker!
• Chicken and Sausage jambalaya (one pot recipe)
• Cajun shrimp and grits

More Slow Cooker Recipes You May Enjoy

• Slow cooker black bean soup
• Mexican shredded chicken
• Classic beef chili
• Ham and Fifteen Bean Soup

Tools Used to Make This Recipe

Note: These are Amazon affiliate links.

• Slow cooker
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Bowl (for soaking the beans)
• Strainer (for draining the beans)
• Optional – rice cooker. You can also just prepare the rice on the stovetop, according to package directions.

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4.53 from 17 votes

Print

Red Beans and Rice in the slow cooker

You are going to LOVE this red beans and rice in the slow cooker because it is so delicious and easy! Throw the ingredients into your slow cooker, and dinner practically prepares itself.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Cajun

Keyword crock pot red beans and rice, slow cooker red beans and rice

Prep Time 12 minutes

Cook Time 6 hours

Total Time 8 hours 45 minutes

Servings 10 servings

Calories 461 kcal

Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion diced
• 1 bell pepper diced
• 3 celery stalks chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 pounds ¼ chicken andouille sausage cut into thin slices, I used Amylu brand
• 1 pound dry red kidney beans
• 1 tsp salt or more to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp white pepper optional
• 1 tsp hot sauce I used Texas Pete
• 1 tsp fresh thyme or ½ tsp dried thyme
• 2 leaves bay
• 7 cups water
• 10 cups cooked rice

Instructions

1. Rinse the kidney beans and drain.
2. Add all the ingredients (except the rice) to the slow cooker.
3. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for either 6 hours on high or 10 hours on low (total).
4. Optional: When there is one hour remaining, use a potato masher to go in and mash up some of the beans, then let it cook the remaining hour.
5. Cook the rice in a separate pot, according to package directions. I used white jasmine rice and cooked it in my rice cooker.
6. Serve with 1 cup rice in each serving.

Recipe Notes

*Nutrition information includes 1 cup cooked rice.

Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator. 

Adapted from The Weary Chef.

Update Note: Please make sure your crock pot heats up hot enough to eliminate any potential toxins, as explained here. My crock pot gets very hot, so it works out fine for us to cook them this way. If you are in doubt, go ahead and soak your beans first just to be safe. I do not want anyone to get sick from this recipe!

Nutrition Facts

Red Beans and Rice in the slow cooker

Amount Per Serving

Calories 461 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 32mg11%

Sodium 735mg32%

Potassium 747mg21%

Carbohydrates 77g26%

Fiber 8g33%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 21g42%

Vitamin A 600IU12%

Vitamin C 19.9mg24%

Calcium 69mg7%

Iron 3.9mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.