Cajun-Style Vegan Red Beans and Rice

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These Cajun-Style Vegan Red Beans and Rice are a healthier version of the typical Louisiana cuisine, but they are still flavorful and satisfying! 

Cajun-Style Vegan Red Beans and Rice

If there is one thing about Louisianians that unites us, it is our love of cuisine. Unquestionably, you can see this strong affection mirrored in the manner that virtually every gathering we have centers around food. Wedding? Breakfast time. March 1? Please, let's load our faces with as much king cake as we can. just completed a 5K downtown? There will be plenty of beer and fried food waiting for you at the finish line, so don't worry.

If you've ever been to New Orleans or any city in the deep South, you undoubtedly already know all of this. The highlights of your vacation were undoubtedly all the delectable restaurants you visited, and your Southern friend or host likely prepared you a massive feast when you were there. We love hard and we love to love in Louisiana. We most importantly express love through our food, though. And holy crap, do we cook well.

The food down here is unquestionably some of the best in the world. Not only in your upscale eateries, but also in households across the state where home cooking is valued and adored. There are many vegetable gardens, and many people cook from scratch. But many of the amazing home-cooked Cajun dishes I grew up with are not suitable for vegans. We're on a journey to veganize all of my fave Cajun dishes, my buddies! The task for today? Rice with red beans for vegans. I'm at a loss for words, this was that wonderful.

How to Make Vegan Versions of Classic Cajun Recipes without Sacrificing Flavor 

You did read that correctly. I've discovered a method to continue eating the foods I grew up eating while being vegan! These creamy, meaty recipes can actually be made without the animal-based cheese and meat. And what about that? You can duplicate them without sacrificing any of the strong, robust tastes you anticipate from cajun cooking.

To begin with, there are SO MANY incredibly delicious plant-based meat and dairy substitutes available today. But using these kinds of plant-based substitutes isn't even necessary to preserve the flavor. I really believe that the spices and fresh herbs are what give Cajun food its special flavor. And the caramelized onions, of course. Caramelize your onions at ALL TIMES.

Therefore, the main sources of flavor in this batch of vegan red beans and rice, for instance, are paprika, thyme, parsley, and spicy sauce. Sausage would be included in a typical red beans and rice meal. If you'd want, you could use a vegan sausage, but in all honesty, we don't really need it. Oh, and of course, the holy trinity—onion, bell pepper, and celery—forms the basis for those flavors. No need for meat!

My goal is to encourage people all over the world to prepare some of my favorite Cajun foods at home by sharing these vegan adaptations of them. And to show you that you CAN prepare delectable southern cuisine that's wholesome.

Ingredients for Vegan Red Beans and Rice



When I took a bite of this batch of Cajun red beans, I was genuinely shocked to discover that they tasted just like the red beans and rice I remembered from my youth. The spices are what make the dish!

This Cajun cuisine becomes a hearty, gratifying, healthful dinner without the sausage, packed with fiber, whole grains, plant-based protein, and taste, of course!💃🏼 It's the ideal comforting dish to have on a chilly night curled up on the couch, especially with winter just around the corner.

The ingredients you'll need to prepare this vegan red beans and rice recipe are listed below:
  • 1 pound dry red kidney beans, soaked overnight
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, cored and diced
  • 2 medium stalks celery, diced
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper, plus more to taste
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 32-ounce container vegetable broth
  • 1 1/2 cups dry brown rice
  • 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional)

How to Make Cajun Red Beans and Rice Vegan-Friendly


  1. Drain and set aside the kidney beans.
  2. Add oil to a big saucepan set on a medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery once it is hot. Vegetables should be cooked for 8 to 10 minutes, or until slightly caramelized and soft. When aromatic, add the garlic and simmer for one more minute.
  3. Add salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, hot sauce, and toss to thoroughly distribute the spices over the vegetables. For one minute, cook.
  4. Bay leaves, kidney beans, and vegetable broth should be added. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for one hour and fifteen minutes. 15 minutes of simmering should be done without the lid.
  5. Prepare the rice per the guidelines on the package while the beans are simmering.
  6. As soon as the beans are done, place about 1/4 of them in a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Once more, add liquid smoke to the pot. Stir
  7. Serve beans with a portion of rice and some parsley that has been chopped.






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