Charleston Red Rice

Content… What Is It? Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs What to Serve More Extraordinary Rice Recipes to Try Watch How to Make It

What Is Charleston Red Rice?

This Charleston red rice recipe is a soul-warming Southern dish that originated in Charleston, South Carolina. Long-grain, white rice simmered in tomato-based liquid and packed with vegetables, meats, seasonings, and just a touch of heat. Also known as Savannah or Gullah (Lowcountry region) red rice, its inspiration comes from the famous West African jollof rice.

Recipe Ingredients

1. Meat – Bacon and andouille sausage add flavor and smokiness.
2. Vegetables – I use onions and bell peppers to add sweetness and texture.
3. Seasonings – Fresh thyme, garlic, paprika, Creole Cajun seasoning, and chicken bouillon provide layers of flavor. But you can use beef or vegetable bouillon instead of chicken.
4. Sugar – Perfectly balances out the acidity of the tomato paste.
5. Rice – Long-grain rice, such as Carolina Gold, is the best choice for this recipe. You can also use basmati.
6. Tomato – Puree and paste deliver a unique tomatoey flavor and beautiful color.
7. Chicken Broth adds a robust flavor layer. You can substitute vegetable or beef broth for chicken broth.

How to Make Charleston Red Rice

• Prep – If using the oven method, preheat oven to 350°F (175℃). Rinse rice and drain.
• Meat – Cook the bacon in a large skillet (cast iron or other oven-proof skillet) over medium heat until crisp, 7-8 minutes. Remove it with a slotted spoon and put it on a paper-towel-lined plate, reserving the drippings in the pan. Add the sliced sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes. Take it out of the pan and set aside. (Photos 1-2)
• Onion – Melt the butter in the same skillet over medium-high. Then add onions and cook, stirring them until they soften, 3-4 minutes. (Photo 3)
• Seasoning – Add the garlic, thyme, bell pepper, paprika, black pepper, bouillon powder or salt, sugar, and Creole Cajun seasoning and cook, stirring constantly for about 3 minutes. (Photos 4-5)
• Rice – Stir in rice and cook for 2 minutes, stirring until the rice is coated in oil. (Photo 6)
• Tomato Puree – Stir in the tomato puree and tomato paste. Cook for one more minute. (Photos 7-8)
• Broth – Add in your chicken broth or water and stir. Add the bacon and sausage. (Photo 9)

• Bake – At this point, you can cover the pot with a tight lid or foil paper or transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish or casserole and bake for about 40-45 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes until the rice is tender if using the oven method. (Photos 10-11)
  Stovetop: Bring to a boil, stirring once or twice. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer until the rice is tender and liquid absorbs (20-25 minutes).
• Rest – Remove pan from heat, let it sit covered for five minutes, then fluff rice with a fork or serving spoon. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve. (Photo 12)

Recipe Variations

1. Meat Swap – Replace the bacon and andouille sausage with finely diced kielbasa or beef sausage.
2. Veggie Add-Ins – Boost the nutrients in this dish by adding extra vegetables. Diced celery, carrots, okra, and corn kernels are delicious options! Stirring in some frozen peas at the end is good, too.
3. Seasoning Boost – Load up on the flavor with a sprinkle of paprika, chili powder, or oregano according to your palate. You could also add more heat with a few drops of hot sauce.
4. Garnish the rice with chopped chives, thyme, basil, cilantro, or crumbled bacon for a beautiful finishing touch.

Tips and Tricks

1. Rinsing the uncooked rice is a crucial step! Rinsing removes excess starch for fluffy, tender rice.
2. If the rice looks a bit dry before it finishes cooking, add a splash of water or broth to the pan.
3. A skillet with a properly-fitting lid will cover the rice tightly so it cooks evenly.
4. Keep an eye on the rice while cooking so it doesn’t get gummy.
5. Check the rice occasionally and add more liquid if the rice looks dry.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Charleston red rice is easy to start the day before and finish cooking right before serving. Prepare the rice dish and bake it for 20-25 minutes. Let it cool, and refrigerate it in an airtight container overnight. When you’re ready to enjoy, transfer it back into a casserole dish, cover it tightly, and complete the cooking time, approximately 20-30 minutes.

Serving and Storage Instructions

I like to serve Charleston red rice fresh from the oven after it has rested for a few minutes.

Leftover rice stores well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three days. Or you can freeze it for up to three months.

Reheat the leftover rice on the stovetop over low heat or in a 300℉ (150℃) oven for 20 minutes. You could also microwave individual servings in 1-minute intervals until heated. Add a splash of water or broth to rehydrate if necessary.

FAQs

What to Serve With Charleston Red Rice

This soul-warming side dish goes with almost any Southern main dish. I love serving it with pan-fried boneless pork chops or smoked pulled pork and oven-roasted okra. Add a side of skillet cornbread for a Southern feast!

More Extraordinary Rice Recipes to Try

1. Caribbean Rice and Beans
2. Mexican Rice
3. Coconut Jollof Rice
4. East African Pelau Rice
5. Mushroom Rice

Watch How to Make It