Table of ContentsSouthern style red beans and rice with smoked turkey wing, made in the slow cooker!
Hey y’all! I have been getting a ton of request for a soul food, southern style red beans and rice recipe. I have shared a couple bean recipes in the past with you all, and I cooked them with smoked pork. However, for this recipe I will be using smoked turkey, which is just as delicious.
Check out my video tutorial for this recipe

Red Beans and Rice
Ingredients
- 3 cups dry red beans sorted and rinsed
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 stalks of celery diced
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1.5 pound smoked turkey wing
- 1 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tsp thyme leaves
- 6 cups water
Instructions
- Place everything in the slow cooker, then cover.
- Set on high, and let cook for 6 hours.
- Serve with hot rice.
- Enjoy!
Hello Rosie! Thanks for sharing. About how many people does this recipe serve?
Hi Ann! This makes about 8 servings, as listed in the recipe 🙂
Rosie, this recipe looks so good. We love red beans and rice, but I’ve never used smoked turkey. Will definitely try this recipe. Pinned. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much Mary!
Hi Rosie,
How long did you soak your beans before you put them in the crockpot or did you have to cook them before hand?
Please watch the video 🙂
Hi Rosie,
does the recipe call for 2 teaspoons or 2 tablespoons of thyme? I followed the recipe but my beans tasted like nothing buy thyme lol.
Sorry typo *but
I used 2 tsp as in the recipe.
Ok, thank you! My family said it was just me, they loved it. My son said its better than popeyes. I did notice it tasted better the next day! Blessings!
Rosie I love this recipe I just used kidney beans because I just realized that you used red beans will that make a difference in the taste. and also where can I find red beans for the next time I make this meal? thank you for sharing and God bless.
Kidney beans are red beans hun.
Kidney beans are red beans but there’s another, smaller red bean that doesn’t taste like kidney beans. These smaller red beans are more like pinto beans. I’m from the south (also lived in Louisiana) & have never heard of anyone using kidney beans for Red Beans and Rice.
Made this recipe for over night cooking. Me and hubby had it for lunch. OMG it was great! Had a slice of cornbread to help with the sopping. Thx for the recipe looking forward to next installment.
Hi Alice! I’m glad that you liked the recipe!
Hi Rosie, I made this last night and used 1 1/2 tablespoons of thyme and the thyme was overwhelming. I did a taste test last night but I will have a bowl for dinner tonight.
Hi Lennie. Adjust it to your taste.
Hi Rosie, I am going to be making this dish tomorrow. I wanted to know if you suggest a specific type of cajun seasoning?
Thanks
I used McCormicks.
This looks so good. Will be trying it soon. Thanks for posting!
HELLO MS. ROSIE!
I MADE THE RED BEANS AND RICE LAST NIGHT AND I AM SO PROUD OF THEM! WHEN I ATTEMPT TO SLOW COOK RED BEANS, THEY ALWAYS END UP RUNNY AND HARD NOT SOFT. ALSO, I WAS COOKING THE BEANS ON LOW SO THAT MIGHT BE WHY THEY NEVER CAME OUT RIGHT. I FOLLOWED YOUR RECIPE TO THE T AND THEY CAME OUT WONDERFUL. I DID NOT HAVE BAY LEAVES AND I ADDED GREEN AND RED PEPPERS. THEY WERE DELICIOUS. THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO. I NOW KNOW HOW TO PREPARE RED BEANS!
Hi Yvonne! Thanks for trying recipe! XOXO
Hi Rosie, this looks delicious. Do you have a particular recipes for the brown rice?
Oh my gosh I can’t wait to make this.
Hi Jodie! I will try to work on uploading some brown rice recipes.
I am so excited to make this! I’m new to cooking and never used smoked turkey before. I love how simple you made this look! I am a Chicago native but also live here in the Pacific Northwest now! I look forward to trying more of your recipes.
Looks easy! Definitely will be making this for the hubby. Do you have a recipe for Chess Pie that’s not too complicated?
Lord Rosie, will you marry me. Your recipes would make any sc boy want to stay home.
LOL!! I’m glad that you like my recipes Robert!
If you don’t have a slow cooker will this work on stove top as well?
Absolutely!
I tried this recipe and it was delicious. Could I use white beans and still get the same flavor?
It will be good, but it will taste different.
Hi” Rosie I am so glad that I found your recipes, you are such a wonderful cook I enjoy trying your recipes, you make them so simple, and they taste fantastic, God Bless you Rosie for I am blessed to find such a wonderful cook.
Awee. Thanks so much Denise!
How many cups of chicken broth should I use if I don’t want to use water?
The same amount.
Absolutely great recipe. Easy to follow directions., easy preparation. Ingredients don’t cost too much.
Thanks Gal!
Outstanding recipe! My family loved it!
Girl, you nailed it and so did I, thanks to your recipe! I did use part chicken broth for deeper flavor, but as I sit here devouring my first bowl I’m wishing I’d invited friends over to enjoy it with me!
Glad that you like the recipe!
I made this for the 4th and it was a hit. I am now making it just because and taking it to work to share! Thanks for an amazing and easy recipe. Can’t wait for the cookbook!
Hi Rosie! I could only find smoked turkey legs, do you think those will be okay to use in this recipe? I don’t have a crockpot mine broke recently, so I’m going to make this on the stove, do you have any tips so it turns out just as good? I can’t wait to make this recipe for my family, it looks so good! Thank you!
Hi Nicole. The smoked turkey leg should be fine. The wing is my preference 😉
Do you have a recipe for the rice that accompanies it? It appears to be seasoned, too (in the picture). Thanks! I’m looking forward to trying this when the weather cools off a little.
I just used regular steamed rice. It just has parsley on it 🙂
Loved this recipe. I cooked it as was written except for the smoked turkey. The store didn’t have any so just used plain turkey. It was delicious!
I’ making this recipe for the third time tomorrow!! It is so good and turns out perfectly! Thanks for sharing!
I used my Ninja, using sauté setting on high to begin with, then lowered temperature as I went along. I used canned red beans and liquid smoke because my daughter (quarantined with) is a vegetarian. I stuck to the rest of the recipe as instructed. So good! My daughter loved it. And… I’m glad you showed how you present it. Impressive. Thank you.
That truly rocked. Thanks for sharing a no nonsense recipe that truly satisfies. Many thanks and blessings.
-Joe
Thanks for trying Joe!
I did this recipe and it turned out absolutely awful! I’m so upset about it cause it looks so good in your pictures and videos. It’s not you, it’s definitely me. Please help me because I really do want to make this right and enjoy it. The beans were hard, almost crunchy and after cooking on high for 6 hours it didn’t get like that “creamy“ looking coLor yours has. Mine basically stayed “watery” or “brothy” looking. Please help
Hi Maya. Sorry to hear that your beans didn’t come out like you wanted them too. Are you using an older slow cooker? The beans definitely shouldn’t be hard after 6 hours of cooking on high heat.
This is the most delicious recipe I’ve had for red beans and rice!!! The recipe is also very easy with very simple to follow instructions. I only tweaked it a little, because we like a little heat, but this recipe is great as is.
I have always wanted to make red beans and rice. Thank you for the recipe! It’s absolutely amazing. I followed the instructions to the letter. I did use Red Beans, instead of Kidney Beans because I wanted Red Beans and Rice, not Kidney Beans and Rice. I used a Cajun spice called Creole Kick. Thanks again! This recipe will be in heavy rotation. ❤️
There were delicious Rosie making them again today . thanks
Just threw it all together in the crockpot!
I can’t wait to see how it turns out. You’re recipe/video is foolproof and so simple. Thank you for the amazing detail. I can’t wait to try it.
Your*
I was skeptical because I always use tomato paste or sauce in my red beans. I used smoked turkey sausage and chicken broth in place of water. Let cook on low all night. Got up and just tasted it. Amazing. Had my husband try it. He said Delicious. Doesn’t need a thing.
Looks so good, I’ll try it tonight
Since there is only me I will be cutting this recipe down to 3 servings. Can not wait to make it and serve it with garlic mashed potatoes. Yum!!!! Thanks for posting and I love your recipes.
Best red beans and rice I have ever eaten. Thank you so much for sharing. I have people asking me to make a batch for them.
Ms. Rosie I am definitely going to try this recipe. Thanks Ms. Rosie for sharing your soul food recipes with us.
I have gone to school to cook and I just love your recipes.
I make mine almost the same way.
Really nice!
Anytime I’m looking for a recipe, i check iheart page first. Just made this recipe and it was definitely a hit!
You didn’t include soaking the beans in your Red beans and Rice slow cook recipe, is it necessary to soak the beans?
Because I didn’t soak them, LOL! It depends on the person. I don’t always soak them.
I love this recipe and how the flavors come together.