The Best Charleston Red Rice
Recipe by
Serves
2 -4 people
Prep time
10 min
Cooking time
1 hour 10 mins
Calories
320/360 kcal
Who’s ready for a flavorful Friday evening with an easy home cooked meal? There are a few key foods of the Lowcountry that landed in Charleston generations ago and haven’t left. Some of these recipes have been perfected and served at family meals, formal weddings, and gatherings in between. Gullah-style red rice is a protein-packed side dish that’s hearty and flavorful. Pair it with chicken, turkey, seafood, and pork. This nutritious Charleston Red Rice recipe is inspired by all the versions we’ve tried along the Charleston peninsula.
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup (or 4 Ounces) Uncooked rice, white
- 1/2 Cup Smoked Sausage or bacon, diced. Turkey, pork, or meatless vegetarian crumbles are other options.
- 1/2 Cup Onion, Vidalia or white, chopped
- 1/2 Cup Green Bell Pepper, chopped
- 1 Clove of Garlic, peeled and minced
- 1/2 Cup Tomato Sauce
- 1 Cup Crushed Tomatoes and the juice
- 1-2 Tablespoons Water or Broth, chicken or vegetable
- 1/2 Teaspoon Sugar
- 1/2 Teaspoon Seasoned Salt
- 1/2 Teaspoon Chilis, dry chili pepper flakes
Directions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare the Rice: Preheat oven to 345 degrees F. Rinse the white rice thoroughly in cold water until water is mostly clear then drain.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add butter to a saucepan on medium heat to melt. Cook meat or protein with onion and bell peppers until vegetables are almost translucent and softened, about 7-10 minutes. Turn down heat a little and add garlic, stirring often about another 2 minutes. Add seasonings and stir to combine.
- Add Rice: Stir in rice and combine. Cook and stir about 2 minutes before adding tomato products. Stir well to combine.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a glass baking or casserole dish, 8×8-inch or smaller with spray oil. Turn out the rice mixture into baking dish and spread rice out to corners. Level the top. Stir in water or broth as needed to thin out mixture if it looks dry. Top with foil or lid. Bake 50 minutes, undisturbed. Turn off oven, remove from heat and allow rice to rest an additional 5 or more minutes before uncovering, stirring, and serving.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish this awesome rice with green onions, scallions, bacon bits, or chopped parsley as you like. Refrigerate leftovers and eat within 3 days. Fully reheat rice prior to eating to avoid possible food born illness.
Notes
Feel free to customize this rice recipe as you like. Omit peppers or onions, swap out pork bacon for vegan crumbles, adjust the spice factor and make this recipe yours.
* Oven-ready side dish =When side dishes are prepared in the oven, they are out of site and off the range top.
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