Charleston Red Rice Recipe
Charleston red rice is a Lowcountry dish of rice cooked in a mix of tomatoes, onions, peppers, bacon or sausage and spices, served as a side or main course.
Servings: 8
Calories: 214kcal
Ingredients
- 3 strips bacon chopped
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 bell pepper chopped (use jalapeno for a spicier version)
- 1 stalk celery chopped
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1.5 cups long grain rinsed
- 1 15- ounce can tomatoes drained (I prefer fire-roasted tomatoes)
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning or more to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups chicken broth warmed
- Hot sauce to taste use a Louisiana style hot sauce
- Fresh chopped parsley and red pepper flakes for serving
Instructions
- Add the chicken broth to a small pot and heat to warm it.
- Heat a large pan to medium heat and add the chopped bacon. Cook for 5 minutes to crisp up the bacon. Remove the bacon and set aside on a paper towel lined plate to drain. Reserve the bacon grease in the pan.
- Add the onion, peppers, and celery. Cook 5 minutes to soften.
- Add the garlic and cook another minute, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
- Add the butter and melt, then add the rinsed rice. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes to lightly brown the rice.
- Add the tomatoes, Cajun seasonings, salt and pepper, and chicken broth, and hot sauce to taste. Stir to incorporate.
- Bring the rice to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Cook, covered, for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice absorbs all of the liquid. Do not stir while cooking. If the rice gets too dry, add a few tablespoons of extra chicken broth or water.
- Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Stir the reserved bacon into the rice. Fluff with a fork and serve your red rice! Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and red pepper flakes.
Notes
Andouille sausage is a nice addition. To use it, brown 8 ounces sliced andouille with the bacon, reserve it with the bacon, then add it back in when you simmer.
Serves 8 as a side dish.
Nutrition
Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 166mg | Potassium: 354mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 904IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg