Vacation Recipe: How to Make Authentic Gulf Coast Red Beans & Rice

Warm up with a Gulf Coast tradition: red beans and rice. Discover the history behind this Creole classic, follow our step-by-step recipe, and find vacation rentals with kitchens perfect for cooking and sharing this hearty dish along Florida and Alabama's Gulf Coast.

When the evenings turn cool, nothing hits the spot quite like a steaming bowl of red beans and rice. This hearty dish, rooted in Louisiana Creole tradition, has long been a staple across the Gulf Coast. It's a recipe that brings family and friends together around the table, blending smoky meats, tender beans, and perfectly seasoned rice.

Cooking red beans and rice isn't just about feeding a crowd—it's about carrying on a tradition that's been shared for generations. If you're visiting the Gulf Coast of Florida or Alabama, making this dish in your vacation rental kitchen is a wonderful way to connect with the region's flavors and culture.

If you're visiting the Gulf Coast of Florida or Alabama, cooking one yourself is a way to step into the rhythm of local life.

This experience is made possible if you stay in one of our vacation rentals with fully equipped kitchens. 

In this blog, we'll share Emily Shaya's celebrated recipe for Red Beans & Rice—along with insights into its history and tips for enjoying Gulf Coast flavors in the comfort of your vacation home.

Red Beans & Rice Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 pounds dried red beans, soaked overnight
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 ounces bacon, chopped
• 2 yellow onions, divided
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 dried bay leaves, divided
• 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 large smoked ham hock or shank
• 1 ½ quarts chicken stock (plus more as needed)
• 1 pound smoked pork sausage
• 4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 4 teaspoons Tabasco sauce, plus more for serving
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• ½ cup canola oil
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 pound jasmine rice
• 3 cups water
• 1 bunch scallions, sliced

Steps

1. Start with the bacon. Warm olive oil in a heavy pot, add bacon, and cook until golden.
   
   
2. Build your base. Stir in chopped onion, celery, bell pepper, and a bay leaf. Cook until vegetables soften, then add paprika and cayenne.
   
   
3. Add beans and broth. Toss in soaked beans, ham hock, and stock. Bring to a boil, skim foam, reduce to low, cover, and cook for 3 hours, topping with extra stock if needed.
   
   
4. Enrich with sausage. Remove ham hock, shred the meat, and return it to the pot with sliced sausage. Season with salt, Tabasco, and sugar. Simmer low and slow for another 30 minutes or more until flavors deepen.
   
   
5. Cook the rice. In a separate pot, sauté onion with butter, canola oil, a bay leaf, and salt. Add rice and water, then simmer covered until tender.
   
   
6. Serve it up. Spoon red beans over fluffy rice, garnish with scallions, and don't forget the hot sauce on the side.
   
   

The Story Behind the Dish

Red beans and rice may have its strongest roots in Louisiana, but its influence reaches well into the wider Gulf Coast culinary landscape. Traditionally cooked on Mondays—using leftover pork from Sunday dinners—it was a dish designed to simmer slowly while families did their weekly chores. Over time, it became synonymous with comfort, resilience, and community.

Today, the Gulf Coast carries that legacy forward. From Pensacola to Gulf Shores, the dish appears on local menus and in family kitchens alike, celebrating the blending of Creole, Cajun, and Southern traditions. Its importance lies not only in its flavors but also in how it represents the region's story: resourceful cooking that transforms simple ingredients into something deeply satisfying and cultural.

Why it matters to the Gulf Coast:

• A link between Louisiana Creole tradition and Gulf Coast dining culture
• A dish that reflects the region's heritage of gathering and sharing meals
• Comfort food that feels as at home in vacation kitchens as in local restaurants

The Joy of Cooking in Your Vacation Rental

Part of the delight of staying in a vacation rental along the Gulf Coast is the freedom to cook and share meals with family and friends. Spacious kitchens, outdoor decks, and fully equipped rentals make it easy to host your own crawfish boil after a day at the beach. It's a chance to bring the flavors of the Gulf into your holiday home—creating memories that linger long after the season ends.

Vacation Rentals with Kitchens Made for Cooking

One of the best parts of staying in a vacation rental is having the space and tools to truly make the most of your Gulf Coast getaway. A fully equipped kitchen means you're not just limited to restaurant dining—you can bring back fresh seafood from the market and prepare it exactly the way you like.

Here are a few vacation rentals with amazing kitchens that will let you cook this crawfish boil—and many more Gulf-inspired recipes—while enjoying time with family and friends:

THE LAZY FISH – VIVIANA #3

Perdido Key beachfront house with a chef's kitchen

Set right on the Gulf, The Lazy Fish (formerly Viviana #3) is built to host families who want space, style, and serious cooking ability. The chef's kitchen with a wet bar, wine cooler, ice maker, and stainless-steel appliances gives you everything you need to pull together a full crawfish boil. With room for up to 14, it's ideal for big pots, long tables, and shared meals where everyone pitches in.

• Chef's kitchen fully outfitted (stove, oven, ample cookware & utensils)
• Large dining area adjacent to the kitchen, great for gathering and serving family-style
• Outdoor grill & saltwater pool deck let you cook outside after the boil
• Multiple bedrooms with en-suite baths—everyone has their space
  
  

INDIGO WEST 1502

Beachfront condo retreat with all the indoor comforts

Indigo West 1502 feels like being in your own coastal clubhouse, with bright ocean views and a kitchen that works hard so your vacation feels luxurious and comfortable. It's perfect for guests who want to cook a shared seafood feast: the kitchen has enough prep space, essential cookware, and modern appliances to support rolling out a boil. It sleeps eight so everybody's included—kids, friends, grandparents.

• Fully equipped kitchen with cookware, dishes, utensils for group cooking
• Dining table that's spacious enough for gathering after boating or beach walks
• Oceanfront balcony views make even kitchen clean-up pleasant
• Shared resort amenities (pool, fitness, tennis courts) to balance the cooking days
  
  

BEACH COLONY TOWER 5B

Oceanfront condo steps from the sand

Beach Colony Tower 5B is quieter, cozy, and perfect for smaller family groups wanting both beach proximity and a kitchen that delivers. It's a two-bedroom condo with views and enough kitchen gear to pull off a small boil: pots, pans, utensils, and a layout that keeps everyone involved. After cooking, step out to the balcony or dip in the onsite pool or hot tub.

• Well-stocked kitchen (stove, oven, fridge, enough dishes & tools for family meals)
• Expansive Gulf front balcony—great for steaming pots or dining outdoors
• Steps away from white sandy beaches so you can fetch fresh seafood easily
• Lounge, pool, hot tub, and beach access let you relax post-cooking
  
  

At a Glance: Your Red Beans & Rice Recipe

Best Family Place to Stay in Gulf Shores & More

Looking for an extra idea to make the most of your vacation on the stunning Gulf Coast? Booking your stay with Luxury Coastal Vacations. We offer the finest selection of luxury rentals on the Gulf Coast, spanning Alabama and Florida.

When you choose to stay in one of our homes or condos, you can anticipate a 5-star experience that you'll cherish forever. Browse through our options and discover what awaits you on the beautiful Gulf Coast.