Slow Cooker Red Beans

 

Depending on what size your crock pot is. My pot has 3 different sized bowls and I like the largest one (6 quart). As you can see by the photo above, it’s filled to the top!

2 lbs dry kidney beans
2 medium onions
2 Tablespoons minced garlic
2 Tablespoons of Liquid Smoke
Cajun Seasoning, to taste
garlic powder, to taste
Cayenne pepper, to taste
Paprika, 2 dashes :)
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon of black pepper
one (tube?) breakfast sausage, cooked and drained
1 package of smoked sausage
1 package of Polska Kielbasa sausage
2 cans of cooked kidney beans (makes a great gravy) I like to use dark beans and it creates a nice color combination – we eat with our eyes first, you know.
            Note: Depending on how full your pot is, you may have to "try" some of the beans to make room for the canned beans.

Put 2 pounds of dry red beans in the pot and fill with water. Allow to soak overnight. In the morning drain well and rinse the beans then put them back in the pot.
Add diced onions and other seasonings. I love spicy food and usually go a little heavy on the Cayenne. Be as liberal with it as you want. You can always add more.
Cook and drain the breakfast sausage, add it to the beans. Slice the smoked and kielbasa sausages and fry them in a skillet. Add them to the pot.
Cook on high for about 6 to 8 hours depending on the amount of food being cooked. Generally I will cook them on high for about 6 hours and turn the temp down to low. About 30 minutes before serving add the canned beans.
Serve over rice with a side of cornbread.