How To Make Delicious Vegetarian Red Beans

Indulge in the rich flavors of creamy vegetarian red beans and rice, a delightful and satisfying twist on the classic dish. Velvety textures, aromatic spices, and a medley of vegetables create a comforting meat-free option. This is soul food, vegetarian style!

Related Bean Recipe Posts:

• New Orleans Red Beans and Rice
• Ham and Beans
• Cuban Black Beans
• Pinto Beans with Ground Beef

Creamy vegetarian red beans and rice offer a delectable twist on a classic dish, combining rich flavors and hearty textures. The dish features tender red beans cooked to perfection in a velvety, flavorful sauce.

The creaminess, achieved through a blend of ingredients like coconut milk or cashew cream, adds a luxurious touch to the dish, making it both comforting and indulgent.

Perfectly balanced and bursting with savory goodness, this creamy vegetarian version of red beans and rice is a delightful and nourishing choice for those seeking a meat-free yet satisfying culinary experience.

Add this vegetarian red beans and rice dish to your meatless Monday rotation. 

These beans are creamy, delicious, and comforting thanks to a simple homemade stock and a great combination of spices.

 

Beats and Eats (music to pair with red beans and rice)

Vegetarian red beans and rice being revealed to family and homies from the hood are going to go over as well as that time my crew discovered my love of Pearl Jam. It was like the circle of trust among us was broken.

Hood culinary rules say red beans are cooked with smoky fatback or some other meat protein. Anything short of this gets you the side-eye treatment. After tasting this dish though, there will be tight-lipped acknowledgment and approval.

The pairing of Pearl Jam's song "State of Love and Trust" with vegetarian red beans and rice might create a synergistic experience due to the song's dynamic energy and emotional resonance. The intense and passionate sound of the music could complement the robust flavors of the dish, enhancing the overall sensory experience.

Vegetarian Red Beans Flavor Enhancements

• Green chilis - add a vibrant and slightly spicy kick to vegetarian red beans. Their fresh and bright flavor enhances the overall taste profile of the dish, providing a subtle heat that complements the savory and creamy nature of the beans. Replace with bell pepper if you prefer no heat.
• Homemade vegetable stock - Homemade vegetable broth adds depth, richness, and a savory umami quality to vegetarian red beans. When prepared from scratch with a blend of vegetables, herbs, and spices, the broth infuses the beans with a complex and flavorful base. The natural flavors extracted during the broth-making process enhance the overall taste of the dish, providing a robust foundation.
• Turmeric - adds a warm, earthy flavor and a vibrant golden color to vegetarian red beans. The distinctive taste of turmeric complements the other spices in the dish, enhancing the overall flavor profile with its slightly bitter and peppery notes.
• Allspice - adds a warm and aromatic flavor with hints of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg to vegetarian red beans. Its complex profile enhances the overall taste of the dish, providing a subtle sweetness and depth. Allspice contributes a unique and comforting element, balancing the savory components of the red beans.
• Smoked Paprika - adds a rich, smoky flavor and a deep red color to vegetarian red beans. The distinctive smokiness enhances the overall taste profile, imparting a savory and slightly sweet note to the dish. Smoked paprika can provide a subtle warmth without overwhelming the other flavors, creating a well-balanced and complex flavor experience. The smokiness also adds depth to the vegetarian red beans, mimicking the complexity associated with traditional meat-based preparations.
• Sage - adds a warm and earthy flavor to vegetarian red beans. Its distinct herbaceous notes contribute depth and complexity to the dish, enhancing the overall taste profile. Sage has a slightly peppery and savory quality that complements the other herbs and spices used in the preparation of vegetarian red beans.
• Fire Roasted Tomatoes - add a smoky and charred flavor to vegetarian red beans. The smokiness from the fire-roasting complements the other savory elements in the red beans, creating a well-balanced and robust flavor profile.
• Coconut Milk - adds creaminess, richness, and a subtle hint of sweetness to vegetarian red beans. It imparts a velvety texture, contributing to the overall mouthfeel of the dish. The natural sweetness of coconut milk complements the savory and earthy flavors of the red beans, creating a harmonious balance.
• Apple cider vinegar - adds a tangy and slightly acidic component to vegetarian red beans. Its acidity helps brighten and balance the flavors in the dish, cutting through the richness of other ingredients like coconut milk. The vinegar contributes a subtle zing, enhancing the overall taste profile by adding complexity and depth.

COOKING RED BEANS INSTRUCTIONS

This recipe is for an instant pot version of the recipe, but it could easily be converted to traditional stovetop directions. The recipe is the same, however the cooking time is much longer and you'll definitely want to soak the beans prior to cooking.

I typically make up a large batch of stock each month - either vegetable stock, chicken stock, or both.

Before I begin cooking I like to mix-up my seasoning mix into one small bowl and then season as I go.

Step 1

Heat an instant pot on "high" saute settings. Once the instant pot reads "hot" add butter, ghee or olive oil then saute diced jalapenos and onions 3-4 minutes. Add half of the seasoning and stir a few times

Step 2

Add beans to the pot and stir a few times. Add the veggie broth, bay leaf, tomatoes, remaining spices, and coconut milk. Mix well then turn-off saute function.

Step 3

Cover the pot with the lid and pressure cook for 35 minutes. Allow to pressure release naturally for 15 minutes then turn the pressure release valve to finish. Add the cider vinegar, mix well, and serve with cooked rice. Garnish the cooked red beans with fresh parsley and green onion.

What To Serve With Red Kidney Beans

Vegetarian red beans pair well with a variety of side dishes to create a balanced and flavorful meal. Here are some suggestions:

1. Cornbread: The slightly sweet and crumbly texture of cornbread complements the savory flavors of the red beans.
2. Plantains: Fried or roasted plantains provide a sweet and caramelized contrast to the savory red beans.
3. Avocado Salad: A refreshing avocado salad with tomatoes, cilantro, and lime adds a burst of freshness to the meal.
4. Sautéed Greens: Serve with sautéed spinach, kale, or collard greens for a vibrant side.

COOKING CONSIDERATIONS AND TIPS

Don't sweat if you don't have an Instant Pot. The regular stovetop method works just as well. Though it will take you much longer, the recipe is still a set it and forget it one. You will have to soak the beans though.

For instant pot beans, soaking is optional. Out of habit I typically soak, but if you choose not to, plan for an extra 5 minutes of cooking time in the Instant Pot. Recipe instructions (35 minute cooking time) are for unsoaked beans.

For smokier beans use dried chilis like chipotle or morita in your stock. Simply drop the chilis into the stock and slowly simmer to allow the smoke to infuse the stock.

This recipe works for other beans as well. Black beans, pinto beans, navy beans, butter beans, etc are all good options. Serve this with rice to make tasty vegan red beans and rice dish and throw in some hot water cornbread.

I prefer dried red kidney beans over canned beans. The longer cook time allows for maximizing flavor. Slow cooking allows for the flavors to come together on an optimal level.

If preferred this dish can be prepared in a slow cooker or crock pot.

Optionally you can add vegan sausage for a more satisfying meal.

MORE BEANS RECIPES

New Orleans Red Beans and Rice

Vegan Stewed Beans

Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage

BBQ Baked Beans

Ham and Beans

Instant Pot Pinto Beans and Brisket

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Hoppin John

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The velvety consistency, infused with aromatic spices and a medley of vegetables, elevates this classic dish to new heights of comfort and indulgence. This red beans dish offers a satisfying and flavorful option for those seeking a hearty and vegetarian-friendly meal.

If you make this Vegetarian Red Beans and Rice recipe, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

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