What To Serve With Red Beans And Rice?

Have you decided to cook red beans and rice today? Are you confused regarding the side dishes that taste superb with the rice meal? If your answer is yes, then my guide will help you sort that problem.

All the sides mentioned in this list are my personal favorites since they complement the taste of the red beans very well.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

What To Serve With Red Beans And Rice – Quick Comparison

Recipe	Calories	Preparation Time
1. Collard Greens With Bacon	85	40 minutes
2. Fried Green Tomatoes	510	20 minutes
3. Fried Pork Chops	443	21 minutes
4. Cornbread	141.5	1 hour
5. Andouille Sausage	146	5 hours
6. Fried Chicken	543	30 minutes
7. Coleslaw	183	25 minutes
8. Biscuits	191	25 minutes
9. Roasted Vegetables	88	30 minutes
10. Okra Jalapeno Fritters	approx. 200	20 minutes
11. Cajun Chicken Tenders	248.2	15 minutes
12. Mashed Potatoes	88	45 minutes
13. Garlic Bread	254	20 minutes
14. Blackened Broccoli	75	25 minutes
15. Southern Ratatouille	141	40 minutes
16. Potato Salad	250	35 minutes
17. Slow Cooked Pork	404	6 hours
18. Shrimp Scampi	119	15 minutes
19. Louisiana Dirty Rice	270	20 minutes
20. Corn On The Cob	106	15 minutes
21. Yam	168.7	45 minutes
22. Brisket	476	10 hours
23. Smoked Ribs	250	6 hours
24. Steamed Veggies	60	20 minutes
25. Simple Green Salad	142	15 minutes

1. Collard Greens With Bacon

Calories (per serving): 85
Preparation Time: 40 minutes

If you think collard greens are bitter, you thought wrong!

The sweetened cider vinegar in this recipe tends to tone down the natural bitterness of the greens. Also, the hot pepper sauce and onions along with the bacon give a very unique taste to the side dish.

To add some spicy notes, one can always add some garlic cloves and a mildly seasoned chicken broth while cooking!

Check the recipe here:

2. Fried Green Tomatoes

Calories (per serving): 510
Preparation Time: 20 minutes

If you are looking for a creative side dish to be served with red beans and rice, fried green tomatoes are your solution.

This dish is crispy on the outside and when one takes a bite, the tangy juice of the green tomato pours in.

The cornmeal and the breadcrumbs help to give a nice golden brown appearance to this appetizer.

Check the recipe here:

3. Fried Pork Chops

Calories (per serving): 443
Preparation Time: 21 minutes

If you want to enhance the protein content of your meal, pork chops are one of the easiest side dishes to produce.

The crispy exterior of the pork chops contrasts with the mushy red beans and rice. Moreover, the butter which is utilized while cooking the pork chops gives it a very smooth and pleasantly salty flavor.

To season it you can add kosher salt, steak seasoning as well as black pepper!

Check the recipe here:

4. Cornbread

Calories (per serving): 141.5
Preparation Time: 1 hour

Another very unique combination to be served alongside red beans and rice is cornbread.

The flavor of cornbread is sweet and buttery. The thing that makes this side dish interesting is the crispy edges of the bread pieces.

You can serve your con read with a little drizzle of honey to make it extra decadent.

Check the recipe here:

5. Andouille Sausage

Calories (per serving): 146
Preparation Time: 5 hours

This unique sausage recipe goes very well with red beans and rice because of its flavourful ingredients.

The spicy flavor of this sausage is contributed by garlic, black, and cayenne pepper. The smoky taste of this sausage contrasts with heavily flavourful red beans.

Also, the aroma of this sausage is beautiful because of the presence of a lot of thyme.

Check the recipe here:

6. Fried Chicken

Calories (per serving): 543 calories
Preparation Time: 30 minutes

A bowl of crispy fried chicken is never the wrong idea!

The crusty on the outside and tender on the inside chicken wings go very well when combined with red beans and rice meal.

The garlic salt and paprika give a spicy kick to the chicken wings and as such, they will be appreciated by almost everyone on your dining table.

Check the recipe here:

7. Coleslaw

Calories (per serving): 183
Preparation Time: 25 minutes

A bowl of creamy coleslaw with crunchy vegetables is a perfect salad for almost any main course.

The red cabbage and the onions make the coleslaw crunchy while the mayonnaise makes up the creamy dressing.

To amp up the taste of your coleslaw you can also add Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar.

Check the recipe here:

8. Biscuits

Calories (per serving): 191
Preparation Time: 25 minutes

A tray of crispy biscuits served with a bowl of red beans and rice is always the right idea.

The crispy and buttery melt-in-your-mouth texture of the biscuits is ideal to be served alongside any rice recipe. It also changes the taste of your palate after having a spoon of rich flavourful red bean sauce.

You can buy your biscuits from a bakery but the homemade biscuits will taste delectable along with your rice meal.

Check the recipe here:

9. Roasted Vegetables

Calories (per serving): 88
Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Roasted vegetables are one of the most popular side dishes to be served with red beans and rice.

The reason why they are preferred so much is that they are deliciously smoky from the outside and beautifully tender on the inside.

Moreover, the Italian flavors that are incorporated into these roasted vegetables such as oregano and thyme also contribute to its beautiful aroma.

Check the recipe here:

10. Okra Jalapeno Fritters

Calories (per serving): approx. 200
Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Combining okra with jalapeno is one of the most creative combinations when it comes to appetizers.

The golden-brown crusty exterior of the fritters tastes delectable when dipped in a cold mint dip.

The jalapeno adds to the hotness of the appetizer while okra makes the fritters even more crunchy. Therefore, these fritters are perfect to be served alongside rice.

Check the recipe here:

11. Cajun Chicken Tenders

Calories (per serving): 248.2
Preparation Time: 15 minutes

If spicy food is your favorite, Cajun chicken tenders won’t disappoint you!

The flavor of Cajun seasons the chicken tenders very well and the entire recipe is crispy yet flavourful and goes perfectly when paired with a bowl of red beans and rice.

Check the recipe here:

12. Mashed Potatoes

Calories (per 100 gms): 88
Preparation Time: 45 minutes

Mashed potatoes with a very creamy consistency are a crowd favorite and would be great if you have many picky eaters on your dining table.

The little flakes of dried Italian herbs and the deliciously smooth potatoes pair up very well. Together with red beans, it balances the flavors on your palate!

Check the recipe here:

13. Garlic Bread

Calories (per serving): 254
Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Crispy slices of toasted garlic bread with some melted Cheese is the classic appetizer.

The butter along with the seasoning makes the garlic bread even more flavourful and its crunchy texture makes it a good side dish for the mushy rice dish.

Check the recipe here:

14. Blackened Broccoli

Calories (per serving): 75
Preparation Time: 25 minutes

If the broccolis are roasted for a little more time their florets turn black and even more delicious.

The smoky flavor from the burnt broccoli is surprisingly very pleasant to the palate. It is one of those healthy side dishes that you can serve with any main course.

Check the recipe here:

15. Southern Ratatouille

Calories (per serving): 141
Preparation Time: 40 minutes

A classic ratatouille with a little bit of protein will complement the flavors of the red beans and rice very well.

The yolk from the fried eggs gives a very nice flavor to the ratatouille. Also, the crispy layer of the bacon when seared releases sweet juices that make your side dish a preferred summer special.

Check the recipe here:

16. Potato Salad

Calories (per serving): 250
Preparation Time: 35 minutes

Potato salad is a great recipe to be made with red beans and rice because it is creamy and starchy.

Mayonnaise and sour cream make the potato salad extra delicious. To add a little spice, use regular mustard. You can also add a little bit of apple cider vinegar over the cooked potatoes to amp up the taste.

Check the recipe here:

17. Slow Cooked Pork

Calories (per serving): 404
Preparation Time: 6 hours

Slow-cooked pork tests delicious with barbeque sauce any protein recipe which is tender flavourful and juicy red beans and rice meal.

The best thing about this dish is that one can prepare this ahead of time and can use it to make multiple dishes such as sandwiches or even a burger.

Check the recipe here:

18. Shrimp Scampi

Calories (per 100 gms): 119
Preparation Time: 15 minutes

This side dish is great for seafood lovers. The sauce in which these shrimps are cooked is full of flavourful ingredients such as butter, garlic, and white wine.

The fresh herbs such as the parsley and chives add a beautiful aroma to the recipe.
One can serve this dish with some toasted slices of bread as well.

Check the recipe here:

19. Louisiana Dirty Rice

Calories (per serving): 270
Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Louisiana dirty rice is one of those creative recipes which incorporates all the colorful veggies of the season into one bowl. The result is a beautifully flavored rice bowl full of different textures.

The ground beef and sausage add protein while the other vegetables contribute to the crunchy texture. Instead of simple rice, you can also use this recipe to serve your red beans.

Check the recipe here:

20. Corn On The Cob

Calories (per 100 gms): 106
Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Corn on the cob is one of the most popular side dishes that one can serve alongside a rice meal.

The melted butter and cheese coat each kernel of the corn and gives it a wonderful flavor. One can also choose to garnish their cobs with some dried Italian herbs for a stunning aroma.

Check the recipe here:

21. Yam

Calories (per serving): 168.7
Preparation Time: 45 minutes

The texture of yam is exactly like that of fish. Therefore, it can be a great vegan option.

The rich flavor of the curry is contributed by ginger garlic paste, lime juice, and other aromatic spices like coriander, cloves, and turmeric.

Check the recipe here:

22. Brisket

Calories (per serving): 476
Preparation Time: 10 hours

A beef brisket recipe full of flavor and tender texture is a proteinaceous side dish for any main course.

The juicy meat tastes delectable when served with a bowl of rice. To make the dish even more interesting, you can cook it in. a homemade barbeque sauce.

Check the recipe here:

23. Smoked Ribs

Calories (per 4 oz): 250
Preparation Time: 6 hours

For a rich, flavourful, and protein-packed side dish idea, smoked ribs are a sure-shot solution.

The smoky and charred exterior of the ribs cutting into tender and juicy meat is perfect when paired with red beans and rice.

Check the recipe here:

24. Steamed Veggies

Calories (per serving): 60
Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Another healthy side dish idea for the red beans and rice are steamed vegetables.

A bowl full of tender vegetables soaked in a simple chilly-lime and butter dressing will leave you craving for more and more.

Check the recipe here:

25. Simple Green Salad

Calories (per serving): 142
Preparation Time: 15 minutes

A quick and easy green salad is one of the most preferred side dishes when it comes to a rice and red beans meal.

The salad is a mix of crunchy and flavourful textures because of the different types of veggies used. A simple white vinegar or lemon juice dressing will amp up the taste of the salad.

Check the recipe here:

What Protein Goes With Red Beans And Rice?

If you are looking for some protein-packed side dishes for red beans and rice then one of the most delectable options is smoked ribs. A beef brisket will also complement the taste of the red beans very well. If you are eager to make sandwiches or burgers, then you can also try making slow-cooked pork. Other dishes which pair well with red beans and rice include fried pork chops, chicken tenders, and bacon.

I hope this elaborate list of side dishes helps you in working out your recipe for the day.

If you have other suggestions regarding decides which go well with red beans and rice then comment in the given section below!

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