Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Ham or Turkey Recipe (Plus Vegetarian Option!)
This simple red beans and rice can be made with ham or smoked turkey leg. It uses fridge and pantry staples and is so hearty and absolutely delicious! See recipe notes for vegetarian option!
Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Ham or Turkey
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Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Ham or Turkey
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I can't get enough recipes that are easily made from fridge and pantry staples. Especially now with limited shopping options while we're spending our days at home.
This recipe was created from ingredients I already had on hand. Since I have a huge stash of canned beans, it was a perfect way to use some of them up in this filling and tasty comfort food meal. You can also make this after Easter using your leftover Easter ham!
I ate two servings of this red beans and rice when I made it, then ate it leftover twice the next couple days. My daughter is super picky and wouldn't touch it, buy my boyfriend devoured the rest of what I didn't eat.
Being 18 weeks pregnant, I need all the protein I can get right now and I definitely got my share from this meal.
We served this on white rice, but brown rice, quinoa, pasta or even baked potatoes would be delicious. If I had some on hand, I would also serve it with some cornbread for the ultimate comfort food meal.
I'm sharing vegetarian directions in the notes on the recipe further down, and also some substitutions if you don't have all of these ingredients on hand.
This recipe is well within anyone's budget and it makes alot! It can easily feed a family of six, or you'll have some leftover if your family is smaller!
What is in red beans and rice?
- Bell pepper: The bell pepper comes in different colors including red, yellow, orange, green, white, and purple. Red peppers have the most nutrition, because they've been on the vine longest. Green peppers are harvested earlier, before they have a chance to turn yellow, orange, and then red. Red bell peppers have almost 11 times more beta-carotene and 1.5 times more vitamin C than green.
- Cumin: Part of the parsley family and native to southwestern Asia including the Middle East. The dried seeds are used as a spice, especially ground and can be found in Mexican recipes or curry powder.
- Paprika: This ground spice is most commonly made from bell or sweet peppers. It can also be made from tomato peppers with the addition of chili pepper or cayenne pepper. It's the 4th most consumed spice in the world and it has vitamin a.
- Fresh tomatoes: They are technically a fruit since they have seeds, but are prepared or served as a vegetable in savory dishes. They contain lycopene, which has great health benefits, vitamin c, potassium and folate. They are served fresh or cooked and can be roasted, canned, dehydrated or frozen for use later.
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- Rosemary Chicken Chowder with White Beans
- 10 Minute Easy Bean Dip
- Sausage and White Bean Soup
- Cowboy Caviar
- Beefy Black Bean Enchilada Bake
This recipe is ready in these steps:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil
- Add the tomato, bell pepper, brown sugar, cumin and pepper
- Saute until the tomato is soft and juice starts to thicken
- Add the ham, garlic powder, paprika, and chicken broth
- Turn to medium high until sauce starts to bubble
- Reduce heat, add the beans
- Cook until sauce has cooked down to a gravy like consistency
- Garnish with green onion and cilantro
Full recipe below
You can add or substitute with the following ingredients:
- green, yellow or orange bell pepper
- cooked and crumbled bacon
- small red beans
- smoked sausage
- fresh diced onion
- garnish with fresh chopped parsley
- crushed red pepper flakes
- fresh minced garlic
- vegetable broth
- black beans
- cayenne pepper
Looking for more ham recipes?
- Ham Bone and Potato Soup
- Leftover Ham and Noodle Casserole
- Ham and Mushroom Scalloped Potatoes
- Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Rice Skillet
- Cuban Ham Salad
- Cheesy Ham and Broccoli Pot Pie
Things you may need for this recipe:
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I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did!
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Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Ham or Turkey
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups diced fresh tomatoes (I used campari)
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups diced ham
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2- 15.5 ounce cans light red kidney beans, drained
- green onions and cilantro, chopped for garnish (optional)
- cooked rice
Instructions:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the tomato, bell pepper, brown sugar, cumin and black pepper.
- Saute until the tomato is soft and juice starts to thicken, about 8 minutes.
- Add the ham, garlic powder, paprika, and chicken broth. Turn heat to medium high until sauce starts to bubble.
- Reduce heat to medium low, add the beans.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes, until sauce has cooked down to a gravy like consistency.
- Garnish with green onion and cilantro.
Notes:
For a vegetarian version, skip the ham and add 1 teaspoon liquid smoke. Add 3/4 cup vegetable broth instead of 1 cup chicken broth.
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