What sausage do I use for red beans and rice??

I LOVE red beans and rice. I'm making it this week for dinner. I know, typically, Andouille sausage is used.

However. I shop at aldi. Do I need to make a special trip somewhere else to get it?

Orrrr would hot Italian sausage be alright?
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Replies

  • kellyskitties
    kellyskitties Posts: 475 Member
    Look for fit and active smoked sausage (it might be turkey) - or just plan smoked sausage.

    I love Andouille - but it's hard to find outside LA - and Andouille style sausage just isn't the same that I've found at Aldis sometimes.

    Polish sausage works too - but I like smoked better
  • sweetlyybroken
    sweetlyybroken Posts: 209 Member
    The only smoked sausage I saw online looks like glorified hot dogs basically.. is that what you're referring to?
  • junejadesky
    junejadesky Posts: 524 Member
    Hot italian sausage is ALWAYS alright lol!! I love Kilbesa too
  • ThinLizzie0802
    ThinLizzie0802 Posts: 863 Member
    I use Johnsonville fully cooked dinner sausage...they have different meat and flavor combos. Idk if Aldi has it but practically everywhere else does. I started using the chicken cajun sausage.

    http://www.johnsonville.com/lines/fully-cooked.html
  • chelstakencharge
    chelstakencharge Posts: 1,021 Member
    Conecuh
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    chorizo
  • dangerousdumpling
    dangerousdumpling Posts: 1,109 Member
    I use Andouille.
  • GurleyGirl524
    GurleyGirl524 Posts: 578 Member
    Thanks, now I craving red beans and rice LOL!!

    To answer your question, I think any smoked sausage will do the trick. Pick a flavor that suits your taste.
  • TribeHokie
    TribeHokie Posts: 711 Member
    Gut reaction would be that it's not really red beans and rice without andouille, but then I got to thinking and it may be interesting to try with either hot italian or chorizo.
  • PaulFields56
    PaulFields56 Posts: 108 Member
    You would really need to go to Louisianna to get the right kind of andouille. I agree with other posters who say there's no real substitute. However, we usually use smoked turkey kielbasa when we can't get the real thing. I suggest you look for something that's not name-brand. They tend to be smokier and have more flavor.

    Another idea is to add baked ham as well as sausage. Again, more flavor is better.

    Enjoy!
  • jdm_taco
    jdm_taco Posts: 999 Member
    Conecuh

    /thread



    I see you from Alabama too. I live in gulf shores. Glad we have unlimited access to that sausage
  • byHISstrength
    byHISstrength Posts: 984 Member
    chorizo

    Yes, definitely!
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  • dcr5452WECHANGED
    dcr5452WECHANGED Posts: 121 Member
    You shouldnt have too much trouble finding andouille. Just go to a regular supermarket. The brand I get is called Aidells. You could totally sub in hot italian sausage or you could use a Mexican or Spanish chorizo. You could also use the Portuguese linguica or chourico but I think the Mexican or Spanish style would be preferable. I'm glad you werent looking for some "healthy" sausage : )
  • giggitygoo
    giggitygoo Posts: 1,978 Member
    I use Turkey Andouille - but don't tell my grandma. She'd smack me for ruining her recipe.

    I buy it at Sprouts - which is a smaller specialty grocery chain.

    I've also made it with some homemade smoky mystery sausages my friend bought from the Brazilian market. She speaks Portuguese - I don't.

    Bottom line - it's a forgiving recipe.


    Edit - I misread. I think you can pretty much buy andouille anywhere.
  • conniemaxwell5
    conniemaxwell5 Posts: 943 Member
    To the posters that said you can't get it outside of LA - I live in Colorado and we do have Andouille sausage here! I would think you could find it at most large supermarket chains in most parts of the country.
  • salvyhead
    salvyhead Posts: 66 Member
    You can substitute kielbasa for andouille but andouille is better.
  • dcr5452WECHANGED
    dcr5452WECHANGED Posts: 121 Member
    chorizo

    Oh hell yea. Chorizo please.

    I may be the only moron who found it amusing OP calls it red beans and rice and here in nyc its always rice and beans.

    In Cajun/Creole culture it is red beans and rice. In Hispanic culture it is rice & beans
  • triciab79
    triciab79 Posts: 1,713 Member
    Smoked sausage is fine but I bet you can find andouile if you look. I live in AZ and all the grocery stores have aidells andouille out here. Open Naturals (Safeway/Vons)has a decent one, Trader Joe's does too and you can often find it at butcher shops. None of them are quite as good as the one I get from the little butcher shop in my hometome in Louisiana but they all work. I like to use a mix of Smoked and Andouille in my red beans and rice.
  • byHISstrength
    byHISstrength Posts: 984 Member
    chorizo

    Oh hell yea. Chorizo please.

    I may be the only moron who found it amusing OP calls it red beans and rice and here in nyc its always rice and beans.

    I call it rice and beans too...now I want some with some platanos!
  • babyj0
    babyj0 Posts: 531 Member
    chorizo

    Looooove chorizo!
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    chorizo

    Looooove chorizo!

    i bet you do ;-)
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    finally.

    i was waiting this whole thread so i can get set up for that joke.
  • LAW_714
    LAW_714 Posts: 258
    I LOVE red beans and rice. I'm making it this week for dinner. I know, typically, Andouille sausage is used.

    I usually use Conecuh, but I don't know that it's available outsideof the region where it is made.
    Conecuh
    /thread

    I see you're from Alabama too. I live in gulf shores. Glad we have unlimited access to that sausage

    Roll Tide or War Eagle, whichever your preference might be. :)
  • sweetlyybroken
    sweetlyybroken Posts: 209 Member
    .....geaux tigers y'all :)
  • ActiveGuy81
    ActiveGuy81 Posts: 705 Member
    Cajun Sausage!
  • capnrus789
    capnrus789 Posts: 2,736 Member
    I just picked up some turkey sausage with monterey jack and chipotle peppers, pretty tasty.

    They also had some mild Italian chicken sausages that had a decent kick for being mild (Simply Nature, or Simple Nature, somethin like that).
  • yourenotmine
    yourenotmine Posts: 645 Member
    I think you should get the Andouille. :)
  • mitzvahmom78
    mitzvahmom78 Posts: 64 Member
    Andouille is definitely best, but I have also used "lite" or "reduced fat" smoked sausage, and they were decent substitutes.
  • none. to be honest, I sausage is just...one of those "evil" foods. unless you had a wicked weight/exercise day, I just think sausage (while delicious) is a macro nutrient black hole