What to Serve with Red Beans and Rice – 20 Tasty Sides
Red beans and rice is a classic dish that is often served as a main course. However, it can also be served as a side dish.
The other day, I was in the mood for red beans and rice, but I didn’t want to serve it alone without a suitable pairing.
I wanted to find some side dishes that would complement it perfectly. So, I went on a hunt for the best side dishes for red beans and rice.
Making that decision wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be.
There were so many options!
However, I finally found a few really good ones – the best of the best side dishes for red beans and rice.
If you’re ever in a bind and don’t know what to serve with your red beans and rice, you’ve come to the right place.
Here is the ultimate guide to side dishes for red beans and rice.
Side Dishes For Red Beans And Rice
- Fried Green Tomatoes
- Spicy Collard Greens
- Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Skewers
- Southern-Style Biscuits
- Best Simple Tossed Green Salad
- Fried Okra Salad
- Andouille Sausage
- Cornbread
- Okra Jalapeno Fritters
- Fried Chicken
- Cajun Roasted Potatoes with Creole Dipping Sauce
- Seafood Stuffed Potatoes
- Fried Pork Chops
- Shrimp and Crab Dip Stuffed Tomatoes
- Savory Black Pepper and Gruyere Beignets
- Cajun Seasoned Roasted Vegetables
- Brisket
- Easy Southern Ratatouille
- Cajun Corn Maque Choux
- Smoked Ribs
Fried Green Tomatoes
This is a classic side dish that pairs well with red beans and rice. They are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. And they’re absolutely delicious!
The key to making good fried green tomatoes is to make sure that they’re ripe. If they’re not ripe, they won’t be as sweet and you may end up with a sour taste in your mouth.
Spicy Collard Greens
This is a great side dish if you like your food with a little bit of a kick. The collard greens are cooked with bacon, onions, and garlic. And they’re seasoned with cayenne pepper, black pepper, and vinegar.
If you don’t like your food to be too spicy, you can always adjust the amount of cayenne pepper that you use.
Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Skewers
These skewers are perfect if you’re looking for something to serve as an appetizer or a main course. They’re packed with flavor and they’re relatively easy to make.
You can make them as spicy or as mild as you like. And they go great with a dipping sauce.
Southern-Style Biscuits
These biscuits are fluffy and buttery. They’re the perfect side dish to soak up all of the delicious gravy from the red beans and rice.
And they’re so easy to make! You can have them ready in under 30 minutes.
Tossed Green Salad
This salad is the perfect side dish if you’re looking for something light and refreshing. It’s made with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and a simple vinaigrette.
Tossed green salad is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables. And it pairs well with red beans and rice.
Fried Okra Salad
This salad is a wonderful way to combine your vegetable and protein in one meal. It’s made with fried okra, black-eyed peas, corn, tomatoes, and bacon. And it’s tossed in a homemade dressing.
Fried Okra salad is a great side dish for your red beans and rice meal.
Andouille Sausage
This sausage is a must-have if you’re making red beans and rice. It’s spicy and full of flavor. And it pairs well with the other ingredients in the dish.
If you want to blend the sausage into the dish, you can always cook it before adding it to the pot. Just know that it will add a bit more spice to the dish.
I would advocate Andouille sausage for this dish since it has a wonderful, rich flavor. If you don’t have Andouille sausage, use Kielbasa instead! It has a similarly strong and somewhat spicy taste profile.
Cornbread
This is a classic side dish that goes great with red beans and rice. It’s moist and fluffy on the inside and slightly crisp on the outside. And it has a sweet flavor that pairs well with the savory flavors of red beans and rice.
Cornbread is best served warm. But it’s also good at room temperature.
Okra Jalapeno Fritters
These fritters are a wonderful way to combine your veggies and protein in one dish. They’re prepared with okra, jalapenos, cornmeal, and flour. And they’re pan-fried until golden brown and crispy.
If you want to tone down the heat, you can always remove the seeds from the jalapenos. Or you can substitute them with bell peppers.
Fried Chicken
What else can I say about fried chicken? It’s delicious! And it goes great with red beans and rice.
The key to making good fried chicken is to make sure that the oil is hot enough. If it’s not, the chicken will be greasy and rubbery.
So, make sure to preheat your oil before you start frying. And use a thermometer to check the temperature of the oil.
Cajun Roasted Potatoes with Creole Dipping Sauce
These potatoes are a great side dish for your red beans and rice meal. They’re roasted in a Cajun spice blend and served with a homemade Creole dipping sauce.
The potatoes are best served hot. But they’re also good at room temperature.
So, if you’re looking for a side dish that’s easy to make and can be made ahead of time, these Cajun roasted potatoes are a perfect choice.
Seafood Stuffed Potatoes
When I think of stuffed potatoes, I usually think of meat-filled potatoes. But these seafood stuffed potatoes are a delicious and healthy alternative.
They’re filled with shrimp, crabmeat, and vegetables. And they’re baked until tender.
These potatoes make a great side dish for your red beans and rice meal. And they’re also a good source of protein and healthy fats.
Fried Pork Chops
Pork chops are another classic side dish that goes great with red beans and rice. And like fried chicken, they’re best when they’re cooked in hot oil.
To make sure your pork chops are juicy and tender, brine them before you fry them.
Just soak them in a mixture of salt, water, and spices for at least 30 minutes. Then, remove them from the brine and pat them dry.
This will help to keep the pork chops moist and prevent them from drying out.
Shrimp and Crab Dip Stuffed Tomatoes
These tomatoes are a wonderful way to combine your seafood and vegetables in one dish. They’re stuffed with shrimp and crab dip. And they’re baked until tender.
These tomatoes make a great side dish for your red beans and rice meal. And they’re also a good source of protein and healthy fats.
So, if you’re looking for a side dish that’s easy to make and can be made ahead of time, these shrimp and crab-stuffed tomatoes are the right choices.
Savory Black Pepper and Gruyere Beignets
I don’t know about you but I love beignets! And these savory black pepper and Gruyere beignets are the perfect side dish for your red beans and rice meal.
They’re made with a yeast dough that’s flavored with black pepper and Gruyere cheese. And they’re fried until golden brown and crispy.
These beignets are best served hot. But they’re also good at room temperature.
Cajun Seasoned Roasted Vegetables
I get it. Not everyone likes seafood. So, for those of you who don’t like seafood, these Cajun-seasoned roasted vegetables are the perfect side dish for your red beans and rice meal.
They’re made with a mix of vegetables that are roasted in a Cajun spice blend. And they bring a nice amount of heat to your meal.
Brisket
If you’re looking for a hearty side dish, brisket is a great option. It’s a great source of protein and it pairs well with red beans and rice.
The key to making good brisket is to cook it low and slow. This will help to tenderize the meat and give it a rich flavor.
Easy Southern Ratatouille
When you want a side dish that’s healthy and flavorful, this easy Southern ratatouille is perfect for you.
It’s made with a mix of vegetables that are simmered in a tomato sauce. And it’s seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices.
Cajun Corn Maque Choux
Don’t go to a Cajun restaurant without ordering the corn maque choux. It’s a classic side dish that’s made with corn, peppers, and onions.
And it’s the perfect side dish for your red beans and rice meal. The corn is sweet and the peppers add a nice amount of heat.
Smoked Ribs
This is the perfect side dish if you like your food with a smoky flavor. These smoked ribs are cooked low and slow. And they’re seasoned with a dry rub that’s made with paprika, garlic powder, and cumin.
These ribs are best served hot. But they’re also good at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should a vegetarian eat with rice and beans?
There are many side dishes that would be suitable for a vegetarian. Some options include roasted vegetables, a simple salad, or ratatouille.
What can I make ahead of time?
There are many side dishes that can be made ahead of time. Some options include roasted vegetables, shrimp and crab-stuffed tomatoes, or Cajun corn maque choux.
Is red beans and Rice the main dish?
Red beans and rice is traditionally served as a side dish. However, it can also be served as a main dish. To make it a main dish, simply add protein such as chicken, shrimp, or beef.
Wrapping Up
I have given you a list of side dishes that would be perfect for your red beans and rice meal. I have also given you some tips and tricks to make the best choices. And I’ve answered some FAQs that you may have.
So, now it’s time for you to choose a side dish. And enjoy your meal!
If you’re not sure yet, don’t sweat it. Just go with whatever sounds good to you. Because in the end, that’s all that matters.