Soulful Vegetarian Red Beans and Rice

Name: Soulful Vegetarian Red Beans and Rice
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium onion, chopped; 1 green bell pepper, chopped; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional); 1 pound dried red kidney beans, rinsed; 6 cups vegetable broth; 1 bay leaf; 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste; 2 cups cooked white rice, for serving; Hot sauce, for serving (optional); Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)

Recipe by Zideons

Published December 19, 2025

This meatless red beans and rice recipe delivers all the comforting flavors of the classic dish without any meat! Slow-cooked beans meld with aromatic vegetables and Cajun spices for a satisfying and deeply flavorful meal that's perfect any night of the week.

AI-Generated Recipe Disclaimer:
This recipe was generated by artificial intelligence and may not be fully accurate. Always use your best judgment, follow proper food safety practices, and adjust ingredients or cooking methods as needed. MealMagX is not responsible for cooking outcomes, dietary reactions, or food safety issues.

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.

Add garlic, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the pot and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.

Stir in the rinsed red kidney beans, vegetable broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2-2.5 hours, or until the beans are tender and creamy, stirring occasionally and adding more broth if needed.

Remove the bay leaf. Use the back of a spoon or an immersion blender to mash some of the beans to create a creamy texture (optional, but recommended).

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve hot over cooked white rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and a dash of hot sauce, if desired.

Final Notes

Enjoy this hearty red beans and rice as a complete meal or as a delicious side dish. It's even better the next day, so don't hesitate to make a big batch! Serve with cornbread for a truly Southern-inspired experience.

About the Author

Zideons

Cooking is my passion. I love blogging and sharing my creative recipes with the world. With my busy lifestyle, it can be challenging to create new recipes, write posts, and ensure everything is formatted and presented well. I started MealMagX for this very reason—for those who share my passion for creative cooking but may not have the time to maintain a blog.

Soulful Vegetarian Red Beans and Rice

Ingredients

Instructions

Final Notes

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About the Author

Zideons

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