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Southern Style Sweet Potato Casserole

by 2 Comments

Southern Style Sweet Potato Casserole is a delicious dish made with creamy sweet potato filling and topped with an oat and brown sugar mixture. This dish is perfect for Sunday dinner or as a side with a beautifully roasted turkey.  

a scoop removed from the corner of the casserole dish with a spoon sticking out

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

When it comes to sweet potatoes, I have my favorite ways to make them. We like candied sweet potatoes, and we also love a good Southern sweet potato pie. But I had to share this delicious sweet potato casserole to round out our love of sweet potatoes. This will be your favorite way to make this southern-style casserole this year!  

What is a southern-style sweet potato casserole?

This version of sweet potato casserole is lighter and made without a marshmallow topping. It's topped with light brown sugar, melted butter, oats, and cinnamon for a wonderfully warm flavor combination. 

The best part of this southern sweet potato casserole recipe is how easy it is to make and the sweet yet comforting flavors. You won't be able to put down your fork!  

Ingredients

ingredients labeled in small bowls for southern style sweet potato casserole

These everyday ingredients can be found in grocery stores at any time of year.

Filling: 

  • Sweet potatoes 
  • Sugar 
  • Eggs 
  • Butter 
  • Heavy cream 
  • Vanilla extract 
  • Salt 

Topping: 

  • Butter 
  • Brown sugar 
  • Flour 
  • Oats 
  • Cinnamon 

How to make sweet potato casserole 

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash and dry sweet potatoes. Use a fork and poke the sweet potatoes all over. Place the sweet potatoes on a lined sheet pan and bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until the sweet potatoes have softened. Remove from the oven and allow the sweet potatoes to cool. 

Reduce the heat of the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, remove the skin from the sweet potatoes and place the sweet potatoes in the bowl of a stand mixture. Beat the potatoes on low speed until smooth. Add granulated sugar, eggs, butter, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and kosher salt, and beat the mixture for about 1-2 minutes until combined. Pour the mixture into a 2-quart baking dish and set aside. Rinse and dry the bowl of the stand mixture. 

sweet potatoes in a mixing bowl

Next, prepare the topping by combining cold butter, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, oatmeal, and ground cinnamon in the bowl of the stand mixture. Beat the mixture on low speed until combined, and it starts to stick together in about 1 minute.

brown sugar topping in a mixing bowl with a white paddle

Break the topping up and place the topping over the sweet potato mixture in the baking dish. 

casserole sprinkled with brown sugar topping in a white casserole dish on a white background

Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes to 1 hour, until the top is golden and the bottom is bubbly around the edges. Remove and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

topping spread out over the casserole

Expert Tips

These tips and tricks will help you make the best southern-style casserole you've ever tried.

  • You can also air fry or microwave your sweet potatoes if you need them done a bit quicker. To air fry, cook them at 400° F for 35-40 minutes. To microwave, cook them for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until they're fork tender.
  • You can combine the filling by hand if you don’t have a stand mixer using a large bowl, a potato masher, or a hand mixer. For the topping, use a pastry cutter, two butter knives, or your fingers to combine.
  • Use cold unsalted butter in the oat topping. It'll allow the oat topping to be nice and crunchy, which is the perfect pair to the smooth sweet potato filling.

Variations 

Here are some different options you can try when making your casserole dish.

  • Add mini marshmallows for a different topping.
  • Make a streusel topping with pecans or walnuts.  
  • Add a splash of bourbon for a classic southern flavor.
  • Use white, orange, or purple sweet potatoes for a fun color change.  
a scoop removed from the corner of the casserole dish with a spoon sticking out

What’s the difference between yams and sweet potatoes?  

Sweet potatoes and yams are often confused by shoppers looking to make classic southern sweet potato casserole.

There are a couple of ways you can distinguish the two.

Sweet potatoes can be sold in white, orange, or purple and have soft exterior skin. The flesh is sweet and starchy like a regular white potato.

Yams have tough brown skin and white flesh. They aren't as starchy as other potatoes and are not sweet.

If you've found that you've purchased yams instead of sweet potatoes, don't worry! You can still make an amazing casserole with them. 

Add some pure maple syrup to the dish to sweeten it up a bit, and everyone will enjoy a different dish this year.

How to freeze southern-style sweet potato casserole  

If you're a prepper, you can make this sweet potato casserole recipe up to three months before the holiday season! 

This is a great way to prepare a large Thanksgiving dinner with many side dishes. You'll need to let it thaw in the fridge overnight and then pop it in the oven when you're ready to serve. 

This can cut down on the time you spend in the kitchen and allow you to enjoy the holiday rather than worrying about preparing everything.

This classic recipe can also be frozen if you have leftover casserole. Put it in an airtight container or freezer bag and keep it in the freezer for up to three months. 

It's also a good idea to write the date and title on the bag or piece of tape and stick it to the container. This will help you remember what you saved all those months ago.  

a scoop removed from the corner of the casserole dish with a spoon sticking out

How to serve 

Serve this easy sweet potato casserole with other side dishes depending on your traditions and your meal.

If you're making it for Sunday dinners, serve it with southern green beans, cornbread, or a beet and orange salad.   

Pair it with candied sweet potatoes, cheesy scalloped potatoes, or soft dinner rolls to serve for special occasions.

How to store southern style sweet potato casserole

To refrigerate: Store leftover creamy sweet potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can easily reheat a scoop in a small bowl in the microwave in 30-second increments. Stir when the time ends and continue microwaving until the potatoes are warm all the way through.

To meal prep: This dish is perfect for making ahead to have with your Thanksgiving meal or Christmas dinner. You can prepare it through baking or bake it the day you're going to eat. Either way, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge for up to three days. When you're ready to serve, follow the directions for baking or reheating.

How to make sweet potato casserole ahead of time

You can prep this dish 2-3 days in advance. Prepare the sweet potato mixture and place it in the casserole pan. Store this in the refrigerator. Store the crumble topping in a separate container in the refrigerator. When ready to assemble, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and remove the casserole pan from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Add the crumble topping at this time. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes to 1 hour.

a scoop removed from the corner of the casserole dish with a spoon sticking out

FAQs

Why do you add eggs to sweet potato casserole?

Eggs bind the sweet potatoes together and provide a bit of liquid to help keep the casserole moist.

Can you use canned sweet potatoes?

You can use canned potatoes for this recipe; fresh sweet potatoes have the best flavor and texture.

How do you thicken sweet potato casserole?

This casserole shouldn't need to be thickened since the potatoes are a natural thickener. If you find it does need to be a little thicker, you can cook the dish a little longer until the moisture evaporates.

Can I boil the sweet potatoes for sweet potato casserole?

I recommend roasting your sweet potatoes for the best results. Sweet potatoes release natural sugars when roasting, giving this dish the best flavor. If you prefer to boil your sweet potatoes, peel and chop your sweet potatoes before placing them in a pot with water that covers the potatoes by 2 inches. Boil the sweet potatoes until tender before draining.

If you have tried this Sweet Potato Casserole recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

a scoop removed from the corner of the casserole dish with a spoon sticking out
Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

Southern Style Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Southern Style Sweet Potato Casserole is a delicous dish made with creamy sweet potato filling and topped with an oats and brown sugar mixture.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time1 hour
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: sweet potato casserole
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 540kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

Filling

  • 3 pounds sweet potatoes (about 6 medium-sized sweet potatoes, about 8 ounces each) or 4 cups mashed sweet potatoes
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Topping

  • 8 Tablespoons cold unsalted butter diced
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • ½ cup all purpose flour
  • ½ cup old fashioned oats
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Wash and dry sweet potatoes. Use a fork and poke the sweet potatoes all over. Place the sweet potatoes on a lined sheet pan and bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until the sweet potatoes have softened. Remove from the oven and allow the sweet potatoes to cool.
  • Reduce the heat of the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Once the sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, remove the skin from the sweet potatoes and place the sweet potatoes in the bowl of a stand mixture. Beat the potatoes on low speed until smooth. Add granulated sugar, eggs, butter, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and kosher salt, and beat the mixture for about 1-2 minutes until combined. Pour the mixture into a 2-quart baking dish and set aside. Rinse and dry the bowl of the stand mixture.
  • Next, prepare the topping by combining cold butter, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, oatmeal, and ground cinnamon in the bowl of the stand mixture. Beat the mixture on low speed until combined, and it starts to stick together, about 1 minute. Break the topping up and place the topping over the sweet potato mixture in the baking dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes to 1 hour, until the top is golden and the bottom is bubbly around the edges. Remove and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • You can also air fry or microwave your sweet potatoes if you need them done a bit quicker. To air fry, air fry on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-40 minutes. To microwave, for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway.
  • You can mix the mixture by hand if you don’t have a stand mixer. For the topping, use a pastry cutter, two butter knives, or your fingers to combine the mixture.

Nutrition

Calories: 540kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 108mg | Sodium: 413mg | Potassium: 657mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 24943IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 2mg

Smothered Pork Chops

by 5 Comments

Seasoned and seared perfectly, these bone-in Pork Chops are tender, smothered in rich onion gravy, and done in 30 minutes! Serve with creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice.

smothered pork chop on a plate with a fork and bite taken out

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

This recipe is an inspiration from childhood, pork chops and gravy with Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes and either green beans or corn. Don't forget to soak up that leftover gravy lingering on your plate! Whip up some soft Air Fryer Dinner Rolls to serve with pork chops with gravy.

A true easy weeknight recipe you'll want to make again and again.

I use a hot cast-iron pan to get the perfect sear on these pork chops, but feel free to use any large skillet you have. Ready in less than 30 minutes, these pork chops are perfect for any night of the week.

cast iron pan with three pork chops

Ingredients and Tools Needed

ingredients for smothered pork chops with labels on it

Ingredients you'll need are:

Tools you'll need are:

  • Sheet pan
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • 12-inch skillet or cast iron skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Meat thermometer

How to make Pork Chops in Onion Gravy

Add kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, poultry seasoning, and smoked paprika in a small bowl and mix until combined. Pat pork chops dry and season pork chops on both sides.

Three seasoned pork chops on a paper towel

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork chops and brown on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. 

three pork chops seared in a cast iron pan

Remove pork chops from heat and let the chops rest while you make the gravy. 

Decrease the heat to medium and add butter and onions to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to sauté the onions until softened, for about 5-7 minutes, deglazing the pan by removing any brown bits from the bottom.

Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. 

caramelized onions in a cast iron pan

Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic in the pan and stir for about one minute. 

onions and flour in a cast iron pan

Slowly pour the chicken broth into the pan while stirring. Allow the mixture to cook for about 8-10 minutes, occasionally stirring, until it has thickened slightly. Pour in the heavy cream and stir. 

gravy in a cast iron pan
cream being added to the gravy in a cast iron pan

Add the pork chops back to the skillet and cover them with the gravy. Continue to cook pork chops for about 3-4 minutes until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. 

pork chops in gravy in a cast iron pan

Remove from heat and serve. 

pork chops covered in gravy in a cast iron pan

What to serve with Smothered Pork Chops

While the star of the show is our creamy gravy-smothered pork chops, what to serve it with is just as important.

How to know when your pork chops are done

A meat thermometer will give the best indication of when the pork chops are perfectly cooked.

The internal temperature for perfectly juicy and tender pork chops should be a minimum of 145 Fahrenheit. This also goes for any other cut of pork except ground pork and is true for bone-in pork chops and boneless pork chops.

If cooked to the typical 160 Fahrenheit, your pork chops may not be as tender and juicy. Do note that only ground pork should be cooked at 160 Fahrenheit.

pork chops in a cast iron pan ready to be served

Gravy variations

  • Mushrooms: In addition to onions and garlic, including mushrooms in your gravy will add another layer of delicious flavor.
  • Spice: Add a pinch of Cayenne pepper for a bit of spice.
  • Extra caramelized onions: Sauté your onions until dark golden brown to release those sweet umami flavors onions have.

Picking out a Pork Chop

For this recipe, I have used a Rib Chop. This will be the most tender of the pork chops to choose from.

Bone-in or Boneless Pork Chops? While all delicious, a bone-in chop will yield more flavor. A nice fat marbling will also provide more flavor. Fat = Flavor!

Rib Chop or Center Loin Chop, Bone-in: Tender & thick. Approx 1 inch thick.

Loin Chops: A leaner cut of pork. May not yield as much flavor as a bone in chop.

Storing leftover Smothered Pork Chops

Refrigerate pork chop in gravy in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

pork chop with gravy on a plate over rice

Notes

  • The pork chops will not be done once they are browned. They should finish cooking in the gravy. 
  • Use a quick-read thermometer to ensure the pork has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Overcooked pork can result in rubbery meat. 
  • I use center-cut rib chops that are all-natural. Using all-natural or organic chops will allow your pork chops to brown nicely. You can also sub with loin chops or boneless chops.

Looking for more delicious recipes? Try these out:

 If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

pork chop with gravy on a plate over rice
Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Smothered Pork Chops

Seasoned and seared perfectly in a hot cast iron pan these bone-in Pork Chops are tender, smothered in rich onion gravy, and done in 30 minutes! Serve with creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: Smothered Pork Chops
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 507kcal
Author: Tanya

Equipment

  • cast iron skillet
  • meat thermometer

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Poultry seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 3 Bone-in rib pork chops 1 inch thick, patted dry (about 2 lbs.)
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons Butter
  • 1 Yellow onion halved and sliced
  • 2 Garlic cloves chopped
  • ¼ cup All purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups Chicken broth
  • ½ cup Heavy cream

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, add kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, poultry seasoning, and smoked paprika and mix until combined. Sprinkle the seasoning over both sides of the pork chops.
  • Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork chops and brown on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side.
  • Remove pork chops from heat and set aside on a plate.  Decrease the heat to medium and add butter and onions to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to sauté the onions until softened, about 5-7 minutes, deglazing the pan in the process by removing any brown bits from the bottom. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic in the pan and stir for about one minute.
  • Slowly pour the chicken broth into the pan while stirring. Allow the mixture to cook for about 8-10 minutes, occasionally stirring, until it has thickened slightly. Pour in the heavy cream and stir.
  • Add the pork chops back to the skillet and cover them with the gravy. Continue to cook the pork chops, for about 3-4 minutes, until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Remove from heat and serve. 

Notes

  • The pork chops will not be done once they are browned. They should finish cooking in the gravy. 
  • Use a quick-read thermometer to ensure the pork has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Overcooked pork can result in rubbery meat. 
  • I use center-cut rib chops, that are all-natural. Using all-natural or organic chops will allow your pork chops to brown nicely. You can also sub with loin chops or boneless chops.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1Pork Chop | Calories: 507kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 1638mg | Potassium: 558mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 849IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 2mg

Creamy Carrot and Lentil Soup

by 1 Comment

A creamy and hearty meatless soup! This Carrot and Lentil Soup is protein-packed and full of flavor. It works well as a side or main dish. Budget-friendly and naturally Vegan!

overhead of two bowl of carrot and lentil soup with cilantro garnish and two spoons

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

An absolutely delicious bisque-like soup made in one pot! Start the soup season with this carrot soup and a side of crusty bread. Create a big batch to share with family and friends, and let the warm spices distract you from the Fall chill outside. You'll impress everyone, and they'll be coming back for more.

Serve Carrot and Red Lentil Soup alongside Air Fryer Bone-In Chicken Breasts and a Cranberry Pecan Apple Salad. If this meal doesn't scream fall I don't know what does.

overhead of a bowl of carrot and lentil soup with cilantro garnish and two spoons

Ingredients and Tools Needed

ingredients for carrot and lentil soup

Ingredients you'll need for Carrot and Red Lentil Soup:

  • Olive oil
  • Carrots
  • Shallots
  • Fresh Ginger
  • Ground Cumin
  • Ground Cinamon
  • Paprika
  • Vegetable broth
  • Dried red lentils
  • Coconut milk
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh Cilantro for serving

Tools you'll need are:

  • Immersion blender
  • Large pot or dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon

How to make Carrot and Lentil Soup

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the carrots, shallots, and ginger, and cook until the carrots start to soften.

carrots, shallots, and ginger in a large pot

Add the spices and cook until fragrant stirring occasionally, about 2-3 more minutes.

carrot, shallots, ginger and spices in a large pot

Then add the vegetable broth and lentils. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes or until lentils and carrots are tender.

vegetable broth and lentils added to a large pot

Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until creamy. Alternatively, transfer to a high-speed blender. Remember to let steam escape the blender while blending the soup.

soup blended with an immersion blender

Return the soup to the pot and stir in the coconut milk. Add water to thin the soup if necessary. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

finished soup being stirred with a wooden spoon

Can you freeze Carrot Lentil Soup?

Of Course! Making a large batch to save for later? Or do you need to portion out individual servings? This soup freezes very well.

Before freezing, allow the carrot red lentil soup to cool to room temperature. Freeze soup in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Thaw completely before reheating and serving.

What to serve with Carrot and Lentil Soup

While this wonderful recipe is hearty and absolutely delicious, serving it with crusty bread or warm naan bread will bring it full circle. Use the bread to soak up the leftover bits in the bottom of your bowl.

overhead of two bowl of carrot and lentil soup with cilantro garnish and two spoons

Do lentils need to be soaked for carrot and lentil soup?

Nope! For this Carrot and Red Lentil Soup recipe soaking the red lentils is unnecessary. While rinsing them off before adding them to the lentil soup is okay.

How to garnish Carrot soup with red lentils

Top off the finished carrot and lentil soup with a couple of swirls of coconut milk and freshly chopped cilantro.

Additional garnishes you may love are:

  • Croutons
  • Chilli flakes
  • Fresh Parsley
  • Plain yogurt or greek yogurt
  • Drizzle of olive oil
overhead of two bowl of carrot and lentil soup with cilantro garnish and two spoons

Looking for more tasty recipes? Try these out:

If you have tried this delicious soup recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

overhead of a bowl of carrot and lentil soup with cilantro garnish and two spoons
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Creamy Carrot and Lentil Soup

A creamy and hearty meatless soup! Protein packed and full of flavor, it works well as a side or main dish. Budget-friendly and naturally Vegan! You'll impress everyone and they'll be coming back for more.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time22 minutes
Total Time32 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Carrot and Lentin Soup
Servings: 4 People
Calories: 351kcal
Author: Tanya

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 Pound Carrots Sliced
  • 2 Shallots Thinly sliced
  • 1 inch Ginger Peeled and grated
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon Paprika
  • 4 cups Vegetable broth
  • ⅔ cup Dried red lentils
  • 1 cup Coconut milk Canned, shake first.
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cilantro for serving

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the carrots, shallots, and ginger, and cook until the carrots start to soften.
  • Add the spices and cook until fragrant, about 2-3 more minutes.
  • Add the vegetable broth, and lentils. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes or until lentils and carrots are tender.
  • Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until creamy. Alternatively, transfer to a high-speed blender. Remember to let steam escape the blender while blending the soup.
  • Return the soup to the pot and stir in the coconut milk. Add water to thin the soup if necessary. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

  • You don't need to soak the red lentils for this recipe. Just rinse and add them to the recipe. 
  • Choose your favorite soup toppings, like croutons, chili flakes, fresh parsley, yogurt, or a drizzle of olive oil. 
  • Serve with nice crusty bread or naan bread. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 351kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 1038mg | Potassium: 838mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 19587IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 5mg

Easy Dirty Rice Recipe

by 2 Comments

A deliciously seasoned side dish packed with flavor and easy to prepare in one pot! Don't let this Dirty Rice fool you, it's substantial flavor and ingredients could make this a hearty main dish as well. Packed with the holy trinity, robust flavor, ground sausage, and chicken livers, your guests will surely love it!

large white bowl of dirty rice

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Combine the Holy Trinity and other Cajun seasonings to this one-pot wonder. This dish is a perfect stand-alone one-pot dinner or a delicious side to Fried Catfish! This will be the best dirty rice your family has.

This recipe has been one of our favorites for years because of its authentic taste. Authentic dirty rice has chicken livers and/or gizzards in addition to ground pork. Feel free to change up the meats in this recipe to your liking. I tend to stick with this version for my family and friends.

If you love this dish, try our Instant Pot Cajun Dirty Rice or Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta (Instant Pot)!

white pot of dirty rice with wooden spoon

Ingredients and Tools Needed

Ingredients you'll need

  • Ground Pork Sausage - ground beef can be used as a substitute
  • Chicken Livers - finely chopped or minced chicken livers
  • Onion
  • Celery Stalks
  • Green bell pepper
  • Garlic
  • Creole Seasoning - If you don't have access to creole seasoning, try our Homemade Cajun Seasoning.
  • Dried Thyme
  • Worcestershire Sauce
  • Hot Sauce
  • Long Grain White Rice
  • Beef Broth
  • Water
  • Bay Leaf
  • Fresh Parsley

Tools you'll need

  • Large pot or large dutch oven with lid
  • Meat chopper (optional but well worth it)
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Fork
dirty rice ingredients

How to make this Dirty Rice recipe

Add pork sausage and chicken livers to a large pot over medium heat and sauté until the meat has browned. I use a meat chopper to get the meat nice and ground.

Add the onion, celery, green bell pepper, minced garlic, Creole seasoning, dried thyme, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Stir and cook until onions and bell peppers have softened a bit, about 2-3 minutes.

large pot with sauteed meat and celery

Add rice, beef broth, and water and stir with a wooden spoon, ensuring all brown bits are removed from the bottom. Place bay leaf on top of the mixture.

Bring the mixture to a simmer. Once it begins to simmer, reduce heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.

Allow to cook for 18 minutes over low heat, then remove the pot from heat. Leave the lid on the pot for an additional 5 minutes.

large pot with rice, broth, meat and bay leaf

Open the lid and remove the bay leaves. Add chopped parsley and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve and enjoy.

finished pot of dirty rice with fresh parsley on top

What to serve with Dirty Rice

Is a one-pot meal not enough? Try these yummy additions to serve alongside Dirty Rice

What is the Holy Trinity?

Onion, Green bell peppers, and Celery are known as the holy trinity in Cajun or Creole cooking. These three ingredients are a base for many Creole dishes.

How to store leftover Dirty Rice

Store leftover dirty rice in the refrigerator for 5-6 days in an airtight container.

Freeze dirty rice in a freezer Ziploc bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Allow the rice to cool before storing it in the freezer.

Turn leftover dirty rice into stuffed peppers! Hollow out bell peppers, cut them in half, and fill them with 1 cup of dirty rice. Sprinkle some cheese on top and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until the peppers have softened and the cheese is melty.

Why do they call it Dirty Rice?

Dirty rice, cajun rice, or rice dressing are all a variety of the same rice dish. The dirty name comes from the rice's color when paired with finely ground meat.

Cajun rice or rice dressing is usually made with ground beef, venison, or pork, whereas dirty rice can contain organ meats, like chicken livers or gizzards, such as this recipe.

Notes

  • If you’re not a fan of livers, feel free to replace them with ground beef or ground turkey. Please note that the chicken livers give an authentic tasting dirty rice. 
  • If you're looking for a healthier version, replace the ground pork with ground turkey, and swap out white rice for brown rice.

Looking for more rice recipes? Try these out:

If you have tried this or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

large white bowl of dirty rice
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Easy Dirty Rice Recipe

A deliciously seasoned side dish, packed with flavor and easy to prepare in one pot! Don't let this Dirty Rice fool you, it's substantial flavor and ingredients could make this Dirty Rice a hearty main dish as well.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Southern
Keyword: Dirty Rice
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 394kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground pork sausage
  • ½ pound chicken livers finely chipped
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • ½ green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon creole seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon thyme dried
  • 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 2 cups long grain white rice rinsed
  • 1 ¼ cup beef broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Add pork sausage and livers to a large pot over medium heat and sauté, until the meat has browned.
  • Add the onion, celery, green bell pepper, minced garlic, Creole seasoning, dried thyme, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Stir and cook until onions and bell peppers have softened a bit, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add rice, beef broth, and water and stir with a wooden spoon, ensuring all brown bits are removed from the bottom. Place bay leaf on top of the mixture.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer. Once it begins to simmer, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Allow to cook for 18 minutes over low heat, then remove the pot from heat. Leave the lid on the pot for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Open the lid and remove the bay leaves. Add chopped parsley and fluff the rice with a fork. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

  • If you’re not a fan of livers, feel free to replace them with ground beef or ground turkey. Please note that the chicken livers give an authentic tasting dirty rice. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 394kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 605mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3691IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 4mg

Southern Green Beans

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Southern Green Beans is a delicious side dish with smoked turkey, fresh green beans, and cajun seasoning. This melt-in-your-mouth dish will be your new favorite way to take your Sunday dinner or special occasion to the next level.

pot filled with green beans and smoked turkey with a wooden spoon

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

I'm no stranger to making flavorful green beans. I love smothered green beans as well as making green beans in a pressure cooker. But my all-time favorite has to be southern-style green beans.

What are southern green beans?

The best thing about this southern green bean recipe is the flavorful broth created by slow-cooking smoked turkey necks before simmering the green beans. They soak up all that wonderful cooking liquid and become incredibly tender and rich.

The green beans are cooked low and slow until they are nice and soft. They should not be waxy or crunchy, but tender. This ultimate comfort food will be a hit at your next holiday party or backyard barbecue.

Ingredients

ingredients for southern green beans in small dishes on a white background

These are the ingredients needed to make this green bean recipe from scratch.

  • Butter
  • Onion 
  • Garlic 
  • Smoked turkey necks 
  • Chicken broth 
  • Cajun seasoning 
  • Black pepper 
  • Green beans 

How to make southern green beans

Here are brief instructions on how to make this flavorful green bean recipe.

Stovetop: 

Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat, add the onions, and sauté until softened. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional minute. 

translucent onions in a saute pan

Add the turkey necks, chicken broth, water, cajun seasoning, and black pepper, and bring the pot to a simmer. Once the broth begins to simmer, reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Cook on medium-low heat until turkey necks start to become tender, about 1-2 hours (depending on the size of your turkey necks).  

cooked turkey in a pot with broth

Add green beans to the pot and cover. Continue to cook, occasionally stirring, until they become tender, about 35-45 minutes.

Remove the turkey neck from the pot, shred the meat from the bone, add it back to the pot and discard the bone. 

green beans in white bowl with napkin

Serve the green beans with a slotted spoon.

white bowl with green beans and smoked turkey

Pressure cooker: 

Press “sauté” on the pressure cooker. Once the display reads “hot,” add the butter and saute the onions for 4 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional minute. Press “cancel” on the pressure cooker.

Add the turkey necks, chicken broth, water, cajun seasoning, and black pepper. Cover, press “pressure cook,” and set it on high pressure for 35 minutes. Once it’s done cooking, allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 5 minutes, then carefully release the remaining pressure. 

cooked turkey in an instant pot with broth

Add the green beans, cover, and press “pressure cook.” Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. When it’s finished, allow it to naturally release the pressure for five more minutes, then carefully release the remaining pressure. 

green beans and smoked turkey in an instant pot

Remove the lid and scoop the beans out with a slotted spoon into a large serving bowl.  

cooked green beans and smoked turkey in an instant pot

Expert Tips

Here are some tips for making this great side dish.

  • Depending on how large the turkey necks are, they may need to cook a little longer. 
  • The beans should be perfectly soft and have a melt-in-your-mouth texture, and they shouldn’t be crunchy or mushy. 
  • Cook these southern-style green beans in a pan on the stove, baked in the oven, instant pot, or slow cooker. They just need to be cooked until they’re soft and the flavors have been soaked up. Any of these cooking methods will work for this.  

Variations 

Old-fashioned southern green beans can be adapted to fit your tastes and preferences. Here are some tips you can use to make this one of your favorite side dishes.

  • Add red potatoes to make southern green beans with potatoes. 
  • Make it sweet by adding brown sugar. 
  • Pour in a tablespoon of vinegar for a tangy flavor.  
  • Use garlic powder and onion powder instead of fresh onions and garlic if you need.
  • Make it spicy by adding red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.  
  • Toss in some fresh herbs right before serving for a bright flavor at the end. 
  • Add Worcestershire sauce or mushrooms for a more savory flavor. 
  • Substitute the smoked turkey with other smoked meats like bacon or a ham hock. 
  • Use creole seasoning rather than cajun seasoning. 
white bowl with green beans and smoked turkey with a wooden spoon

How to choose the best green beans 

When choosing fresh green beans from the grocery store, look for a bright green color and a supple texture with no brown spots or soggy beans.

It takes a little patience to get a tender green bean when cooking them on the stove, but it's entirely worth it for this great recipe.  

You can also use canned beans or frozen beans. These will already be soft, so you won't need to cook them as long as you would fresh beans.

All you need to do is add them to the pot liquor created by the smoky flavor from the slow-cooked turkey.

How to serve 

This easy green bean recipe can be served with your favorite southern dishes like collard greens, pork chops, Air fryer fried chicken, perfect air fryer steak, southern-style shrimp and grits, or southern candied sweet potatoes.     

How to store 

Refrigerate: Keep leftover green beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. 

Freeze: Store an extra batch of these beans in a large freezer bag in the freezer for up to three months.

Reheat: When you're ready to eat this leftover dish, reheat it in the microwave in 30-second increments until they are warm all the way through. You can also reheat them in a pot on the stove if you'd rather.

Meal prep: If you're making this delicious side dish for special occasions, like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, you can prep it in advance and have it ready to cook the day of the event. It's best to serve it the same day it's cooked for the best flavor. 

FAQs

How can I make vegetarian southern green beans? 

You can easily cook these southern-style green beans without meat to make them vegetarian or vegan. To make them vegetarian, leave out the smoked turkey. To make them vegan, replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock as well. 

What’s the difference between string beans and green beans? 

String beans and green beans are the same type of green beans. Some green beans have a fibrous string running down the center, but that has been removed mainly by farmers planting only the variation without the string. 

Can I cook southern green beans in a slow cooker? 

Yes, you can cook this southern green beans recipe in a crock pot. The key is to get the beans to that perfect, soft texture and not overcook them.

Print Recipe
4.67 from 6 votes

Southern Green Beans

Southern Green Beans is a delicious side dish with smoked turkey, fresh green beans, and cajun seasoning. This melt-in-your-mouth dish will be your new favorite way to take your Sunday dinner or special occasion to the next level.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: southern green beans, southern green beans recipe
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 142kcal
Author: Tanya

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 Yellow onion chopped
  • 2 Garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 lb smoked turkey necks
  • 2 cups Chicken broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 lbs Green beans trimmed and snapped into pieces

Instructions

Stovetop Instructions

  • Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
  • Add turkey necks, chicken broth, water, cajun seasoning, and black pepper.
  • Bring to a simmer. Once the broth begins to simmer, reduce heat to medium-low and cover. Cook on medium-low heat until turkey necks start to become tender, about 1-2 hours (depending on the size of your turkey necks).
  • Add green beans to the pot and cover. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the green beans become tender, about 35-45 minutes.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Remove the turkey neck and remove meat from the bone. Add meat back into the pot and discard the bone.
  • Serve the green beans with a slotted spoon. Enjoy.

Electric Pressure Cooker Instructions

  • Press “sauté” on the pressure cooker. Once the display reads “hot,” add butter. Add onions and sauté for 4 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for an additional minute. Press “cancel” on the pressure cooker.
  • Add turkey necks, chicken broth, water, cajun seasoning, and black pepper. Cover. Press “pressure cook” and pressure cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Once pressure has been done, natural release for 5 minutes, then carefully release the remaining pressure.
  • Add green beans. Cover and press “pressure cook” and pressure cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Once the timer is up, allow to natural release for 5 minutes. Then quickly release any remaining pressure.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

The amount of time needed to cook the turkey necks initially will depend on the size of the turkey necks. Larger turkey necks will take longer to cook.

Nutrition

Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 360mg | Potassium: 357mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1020IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 2mg

Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

by 4 Comments

It's so easy to cook these juicy turkey thighs in the air fryer! Beautifully seasoned with crispy skin and done in 30 minutes.

Air fried turkey thigh on a plate with green beans and a fork

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Crispy skin turkey and a juicy center are what we all want in a turkey thigh. Rub on these wonderful creole spices and it's soon to be the star of your family's dinner!

Add this to your air fryer Thanksgiving recipes too. Perfect for a new couple or a single person. You don't have to prepare a traditional oven-roasted turkey to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. Nor do you have to spend hours tending to an entire turkey and sharing oven space with other yummy dishes.

Pair air-fried turkey thighs with Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Smothered Green Beans. Round it out with Easy Cornbread Muffins and for dessert, a Sweet Potato Bundt Cake. Don't think you have to wait until November to enjoy all of these dishes, air fryer turkey can be enjoyed all year round for as long as your air fryer is working!

plate of green beans and a turkey thigh

Air Fried Turkey Thigh Ingredients and Tools Needed

  • Poultry Seasoning
  • Creole Seasoning
  • Kosher Salt
  • Garlic Powder
  • Black Petter
  • Bone-in, skin-on turkey thighs - Roughly 2 pounds of bone-in, skin-on turkey thighs

Tools needed for this recipe:

air fryer turkey thigh ingredients

How to make Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

Mix poultry seasoning, creole seasoning, kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside. 

Pat chicken thighs dry. Rub seasonings on both sides of the chicken thighs, and under the skin. Let sit for 30 minutes. Feel free to skip the 30-minute wait if you're in a hurry. 

raw turkey thighs rubbed with seasoning blend

Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (193 Celcius). 

Place turkey thighs, skin side down, in the preheated air fryer basket, and cook for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip the turkey thighs and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. 

prepped turkey thighs skin side down in air fryer basket
checking the temperature of the turkey thigh with a meat thermometer
close up of 2 turkey thighs cooked through in air fryer basket

Remove from the air fryer and let the turkey rest for 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

Is an air fryer turkey juicy?

When food is placed into an air fryer and turned on circulating hot air cooks and crisps up the food. Because turkey thighs are higher in fat than turkey breasts, no additional oil or butter is needed for the turkey to maintain its moisture. Whereas a boneless turkey breast will need a little spritz of oil to help keep it moist.

Moreover, if you cook either a turkey thigh or turkey breast too long, they'll become dry.

Prepping turkey thighs for the air fryer

Make sure you've thawed the turkey completely before prepping, this will ensure you get a proper read on the thermometer when they've finished cooking.

Pat your turkey thighs dry with paper towels and season or marinade per your recipe instructions before placing it into the air fryer. Making sure your chicken is dry will ensure the seasonings stick to the chicken and the skin gets crispy.

If you're skittish about touching raw turkey, food-grade gloves are a great option!

How long does it take to air-fry a turkey per pound?

Cooking time for a turkey in an air fryer can differ depending on the size of your turkey and air fryer. You can absolutely make an air-fried whole turkey as well. A good rule for air fryer whole turkey or turkey parts is 8-10 minutes per pound.

Where do you check a turkey thigh temperature?

Using a meat thermometer, place the tip into the thickest part of the turkey thigh without touching the bone. Ensure you're not touching the bone or the temperature reading will be inaccurate. For a fully cooked, yet still juicy turkey thigh the internal temperature needs to reach 170-175 degrees Fahrenheit.

close up of turkey thigh cooked through in air fryer basket

Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

Storing:

Store turkey thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating:

Reheat leftover turkey thighs in a 350-degree Fahrenheit preheated air fryer and cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through so the top can re-crisp.

Air Fryer Turkey Thigh Recipe Notes:

  • The turkey thigh should reach a temperature between 170-175 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a quick read thermometer to ensure the turkey thighs are done. 
  • I like to allow my turkey thighs to sit at room temperature for a few minutes to absorb the seasonings. Feel free to skip this step if you’re short on time. In the alternative, you can season the turkey thighs beforehand, about 1-2 days, and refrigerate them until ready to cook.

Looking for more Air Fryer or Turkey recipes? Try these out:

 If you have tried this air fryer recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

plate of green beans and a chicken thigh
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

It's so easy to cook these juicy turkey thighs in the air fryer! Beautifully seasoned with a crispy skin and done in 30 minutes.
Prep Time40 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Air fryer turkey thighs
Servings: 4 People
Calories: 363kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine poultry seasoning, creole seasoning, kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Set aside.
  • Pat turkey thighs dry. Rub seasonings on both sides of the turkey thighs, as well as under the skin. Let sit for 30 minutes. If you're in a hurry, feel free to skip the 30-minute wait.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (193 Celcius).
  • Place turkey thighs, skin side down, in preheated air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip the turkey thighs and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  • Remove and allow thighs to rest for 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • The turkey thigh should reach a temperature between 170-175 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a quick read thermometer to ensure the turkey thighs are done. 
  • I like to allow my turkey thighs to sit at room temperature for a few minutes to absorb the seasonings. Feel free to skip this step if you’re short on time. In the alternative, you can season the turkey thighs beforehand, about 1-2 days, and refrigerate them until ready to cook.

Nutrition

Serving: 4g | Calories: 363kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 1428mg | Potassium: 576mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 340IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 4mg

The Most Popular Jamaican Herbs and Spices and How to Use Them

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Jamaican spices and herbs are the heart and soul of Jamaican cooking and are used to build unforgettable flavors.  

collage of scotch bonnet pepper, thyme, and green onion with text that says popular Jamaican herbs and spices

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Authentic, made-from-scratch Jamaican food is built around fresh herbs and spices. Ingredients like pimento, turmeric, Jamaican curry powder, and aromatics like fresh thyme and scallions come together in traditional Jamaican recipes to create a tantalizing experience for the senses and the taste buds! This is one food culture that doesn’t shy away from flavor. 

Discover the most popular Jamaican herbs and spices, and how to use them in the island’s most popular recipes, 

Scotch Bonnet Pepper 

scotch bonnet peppers on white background

The Scotch bonnet pepper may have a mild, if not cute name, but these peppers are hot, hot, hot! The Scotch bonnet pepper is part of the habanero family, and is used in cooking throughout the Caribbean. Depending on when the pepper is picked, it can be bright orange, yellow, or even green, red, or brown. 

It's difficult to fully describe how a Scotch bonnet pepper tastes; this is one pepper you have to try to appreciate. Most cooks will tell you that Scotch bonnet peppers are slightly fruity, even a little sweet, and, depending on how you prepare them, tons and tons of spicy flavor. 

Spice mixes and sauces are a must in Jamaican cuisine, and Scotch bonnet peppers are one of the most popular ingredients in recipes like Jamaican Escovitch Fish and Jamaican Stew Peas. Scotch bonnet peppers are also used to make Jamaican curry and jerk seasonings!

thyme on white background

Thyme

No Jamaican kitchen is complete without fresh thyme. Did you know there are close to 100 varieties of this aromatic herb in Jamaica? 

Thyme is often used in soups, stews, and as a seasoning for meat and fish. Braised oxtails with thyme, Saltfish Fritters, and Caribbean Green Seasoning build their base flavor around versatile, herbaceous thyme.

Escallion (Jamaican Scallion)

Scallions are a staple in Jamaican cooking, and many dishes just wouldn’t be the same without them. Mild and delicious Jamaican scallions look similar to other alliums, with the exception of their skin which is a purplish red at the bulb. Jamaican rice and peas wouldn’t be complete without the zip of scallion flavor (and thyme and ginger!).

Scallions are used to enhance the flavors in Jamaica’s national dish Ackee and Saltfish.

If you can't find scallions, a green onion can be used.

Curry Powder

Jamaican curry powder on white plate

Jamaican curry powder recipes can have some variations, but most start with a base of turmeric, Scotch bonnet peppers, ginger, coriander, and cumin. When used in stews, soups, or meat dishes, the result is a warm, comforting meal that’s hearty and hard to resist.

Popular Jamaican recipes like Jamaican Curry Goat, use curry powder to balance out the gaminess of the goat meat and give the dish a vibrant flavor. Jamaican curry powders tend to have more turmeric, and less spice, than their Indian counterparts, 

Jerk Seasoning

jerk paste in white bowl

Jerk is a style of Jamaican cooking native to the island that uses a hot, spicy marinade to rub on chicken or pork before being grilled. If you’ve never tried authentic Jamaican jerk seasoning you’re missing out. It’s as eye-wateringly good, as it is mouth-wateringly good!

Jerk seasoning, or paste, recipes usually involve a mix of Scotch bonnet peppers, pimento, ginger, lime, garlic, sugar, onions, thyme, and soy sauce. It’s basically a who's who of spices and flavors, and incredibly addicting. Jerk chicken and jerk pork are popular Jamaican dishes.

Turmeric

Jamaican turmeric is an essential Jamaican food ingredient. The turmeric found on the island is known for its intense flavor, bright orange-yellow color, and high concentration of curcumin, which in addition to adding a pronounced ginger-like flavor to food, is also good for reducing inflammation and arthritic pain.

The pastry dough that surrounds a sizzling hot and savory Jamaican beef patty (yum!) is made with turmeric, along with curry powder, flour, butter, and sugar. Turmeric is also one of the spices used to create Jamaican curry powder.

Pimento

pimento berries on white plate

Pimento is a dried, unripe berry from the Pimenta dioica tree. You may also know pimento as allspice or Jamaican pepper. This fragrant spice has notes of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, which makes it perfect for both savory and sweet dishes. Pimento is so invitingly aromatic, and presents itself as a wonderfully warm spice, that it works with everything from pimento-smoked jerk chicken, to pimento-spiced rice and ackee pimento flan!

The berries can be added whole to a dish for added flavor, but remove before serving. Or simply crush them in a mortar and pestle and add them to your dish. I love crushed pimento in my cornmeal porridge.

I hope you liked learning a bit more about popular herbs and spices in Jamaica. This guide and these Jamaican recipes will have you feeling like you're on the island.

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Recipe

by 2 Comments

These air fryer bacon-wrapped shrimp are the perfect appetizer or main dish. These shrimp are easy to make, and they taste amazing! 

finished air fryer bacon wrapped shimp in air fryer basket

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

If you're looking for an easy and delicious air fryer appetizer or main course, you must try air fryer bacon-wrapped shrimp. And if you love bacon, this recipe is right up your alley.

The shrimp are wrapped in bacon, and then they are air fried to perfection. The result is a crispy, flavorful shrimp that will surely be a hit with your family and friends. 

Like my air fryer bacon-wrapped chicken recipe, this shrimp has a sweet, spicy, and smokey flavor combined in one. With minimal prep, this is an air fryer recipe you'll want to make again and again. 

hand holding up bacon wrapped shrimp over air fryer

Ingredients and Tools Needed

  • Shrimp: I use defrosted, large or jumbo shrimp, raw shrimp that has been deveined, peeled, and with the tail on. You can also use shrimp with the tail off. I keep the tail on so it can easily be picked up.
  • Bacon: Use center-cut bacon. I'd avoid thick-cut bacon as it'll take longer to cook. 
  • Seasonings: Brown sugar and chili powder give these shrimp that delicious sweet and spicy flavor profile. 
  • Air fryer: These shrimp work best in the air fryer. 
  • Toothpicks: Toothpicks are used to secure the bacon to the shrimp. 
ingredients needed for bacon wrapped shrimp

How to make air fryer bacon-wrapped shrimp

First, cut your slices of bacon into thirds. Add brown sugar and chili powder to a small bowl and mix until combined. Pat the shrimp dry. Place the shrimp into the brown sugar and mix, coating both sides of the shrimp. 

raw shrimp in brown sugar and chili powder mix

Wrap each shrimp with a piece of bacon and secure the bacon to the shrimp with a toothpick. 

Place the shrimp wrapped in bacon into the bottom of an air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overlap them. Cook in batches if necessary. 

raw shrimp wrapped in raw bacon secured with a toothpick
raw shrimp wrapped in raw bacon inside air fryer basket

Air fry at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes. 

bacon wrapped in shrimp in air fryer basket

Remove and serve alone or with a dipping sauce. 

bacon wrapped shrimp on white plate with a dipping sauce

The best shrimp to use in bacon wrapped shrimp

Defrosted, large, or jumbo shrimp will work best in this recipe. Large shrimp gives the bacon and shrimp enough time to cook simultaneously. Make sure to devein the shrimp and remove the shell before cooking. I do not recommend pre-cooked shrimp in this recipe. 

How to change up the seasonings

If you're not a fan of spice, feel free to modify the shrimp seasonings to your liking. You could add salt and pepper to the shrimp. You could also marinate the shrimp in barbecue sauce. 

Can I make this bacon-wrapped shrimp in the oven?

Absolutely! But it'll take a few more steps if you want similar results to this air fryer. Here's an oven-baked bacon-wrapped shrimp recipe. 

What to serve with bacon wrapped shrimp?

These bacon-wrapped shrimp are great on their own but pair well with a dipping sauce. I like to dip mine in honey mustard. You could dip them in ranch, remoulade sauce, or ketchup. 

I usually serve these as an appetizer but feel free to pair them with a side to make them the main meal. They would go great with yellow rice, plantains, or your favorite salad. 

Notes

  • I do not preheat the air fryer for this recipe. If you preheat, decrease the cooking time by a couple of minutes.
  • If using frozen shrimp, defrost the shrimp before proceeding with the recipe.
  • Feel free to change up the shrimp seasoning and use sauces like bbq sauce instead.

Looking for more air fryer appetizer recipes? Try these out:

 If you have tried this Air fryer shrimp wrapped in bacon recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

finished air fryer bacon wrapped shimp in air fryer basket
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Recipe

These air fryer bacon-wrapped shrimp are the perfect appetizer or main dish. They are easy to make, and they taste amazing!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time22 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer bacon wrapped shrimp, bacon wrapped shrimp
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 305kcal
Author: Tanya

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ Tablespoon chili powder
  • 12 oz raw large or jumbo shrimp shell remove, deveined, with tails on
  • 6 slices bacon cut into thirds

Instructions

  • Add brown sugar and chili powder in a small bowl and mix until combined. Pat the shrimp dry.
  • Place the shrimp into the brown sugar and mix, coating both sides of the shrimp.
  • Wrap each shrimp with a piece of bacon and secure the bacon to the shrimp with a toothpick.
  • Place the shrimp wrapped in bacon into the bottom of an air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overlap them. Cook in batches if necessary.
  • Air fry at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes.
  • Remove and serve alone or with a dipping sauce.

Notes

  • I do not preheat the air fryer for this recipe. If you preheat, decrease the cooking time by a couple of minutes.
  • If using frozen shrimp, defrost the shrimp before proceeding with the recipe.
  • Feel free to change up the shrimp seasoning and use sauces like bbq sauce instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 129mg | Sodium: 724mg | Potassium: 218mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 462IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 1mg

An Easy to Follow Guide for How to Cook Dried Beans

by 5 Comments

Once you learn how to cook dried beans from scratch, you’ll want to say ‘goodbye’ to the canned stuff!

plates of dried beans on white background

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

There’s a lot to love about cooking with dry beans: they’re inexpensive, easy to store, and don’t take up a lot of space in the kitchen. There are so many dried bean recipes that they can take you all the way from spring to winter, and you’ll never make the same recipe twice.

If you’re just learning how to cook dried beans, the process can seem a little intimidating. After all, you’ve probably been buying the canned stuff for years! Don’t worry. The great news about learning how to cook dried beans is that there are a ton of methods and techniques for bringing this versatile kitchen ingredient to life.

Whether you’re cooking dried black beans or cooking dried pinto beans, the process and result remain the same: perfectly tender beans ready to be added to your next dish!

You'll find varying advice when it comes to prepping beans for cooking. These include the overnight soak, the quick soak, and the cooking beans without soaking. Each has its benefits and cons, and you'll need to figure out your preferred method.

For a quick guide on how to best cook dried beans, keep reading.

Size of beans and cook times

The size of the bean will affect how long you need to cook the beans.

SizeCook Time
Small beans (black beans, pinto beans, navy beans)60 - 90 minutes
Medium beans (Great northern)90-120 minutes
Large beans (Lima beans, Butter beans, red kidney beans)90- 160 minutes

Cook times will vary depending on whether the beans are soaked and how old the beans are.

Sort and rinse the beans

It’s not uncommon to find small pebbles within a bag of dried beans. Biting down on that can be pretty painful. No matter how you cook dried beans, always give them a good rinse first to remove any debris. Also, remove any old and shriveled beans.

hand holding red kidney beans

Soaking beans overnight

dried kidney beans beans soaking in water

Soaking dried beans overnight is a tried and true method. If you’re able to plan ahead, allowing the dried beans to soak overnight will give you beans that are plump, tender, and a little creamy. This method, known as rehydrating the beans, also ensures that the bean around the skin remains intact when cooking.

Why is it important to soak dried beans before cooking? Soaking dried beans overnight has the added benefit of helping them cook a little faster. And if you’ve ever looked up methods for cooking beans, the number one question home cooks have is: how to cook dried beans fast!

One of the most common reasons why people soak dried beans is because it helps remove some complex sugars that our body cannot digest. That's what causes you to feel gassy or bloated after eating them.

There's also an advantage of soaking when your beans are older. Older beans tend to take longer to cook, so soaking them overnight will help cut the cooking time significantly.

Soaking beans overnight is pretty easy. Simply fill a bowl with water, add your beans, and cover the bowl with plastic wrap, or an airtight lid, until you’re ready to use them the next day. Don’t worry about heating the water. Lukewarm filtered water works just fine.

Alternatively, you could start soaking the beans in the morning, if you plan on using them that night for dinner. How long to soak dried beans really depends on when you need to use them and the size of the bean, but plan on 6-8 hours.

When you’re ready to cook the beans, drain the water and cook them on the stovetop.

Quick soaking beans

Quick soaking dried beans requires a bit more prep time than overnight soaking dried beans, but the results are equally delicious.

The benefit to the quick soak method is that this gives you the flexibility to incorporate the beans into a recipe the very same day you plan to use them.

For the quick soak method, place the dried beans in a pot of water on the stovetop, and bring it to a boil. When the water is boiling, remove from the heat, cover the pot with a lid and let the beans soak for about an hour. Depending on what type of dried beans you’re using, this time may vary slightly.

Disadvantages of soaking beans

Soaking beans has a few disadvantages. First, beans soaked in water are known to have a tad bit less flavor, especially if the soaking water is drained and replaced with fresh water. In order to avoid this, cook the beans in the liquid they soaked in.

Beans soaked are also known to lose color pigment if soaked and the bean water is drained and replaced with fresh water.

Another disadvantage of soaking beans is that it can cause them to lose some of their nutritional value. This is because the soaking process can leach out some of the vitamins and minerals from the beans. And if you drain the soaking water and drain it, you'll be flushing nutrients down the sink.

How to cook dried beans without soaking

The no soak method for cooking dried beans has pros and cons. If you’re in a jam, the no-soak method will still give you plump delicious beans, but prepare to add roughly one to two hours of additional cooking time.

The downside to this method is that it can cause the bean skin to break. However, if your goal is super creamy beans, this method might be for you. Adding a few aromatics will create a rich bean broth that’s great for bean soup recipes.

To cook dried beans from scratch without soaking, place your beans in a large pot and cover with a few inches of water. Bring the water to a simmer, and stir the pot about every thirty minutes. When the beans have cooked for between two to three hours, check for tenderness.

Remove the beans from the stove and let sit for another thirty minutes. Feel free to add any additional salt or seasonings to the beans at this time.

How to cook dried beans in Instant pot or pressure cooker

Cooking dried beans in an Instant Pot is one of the quickest ways to cook dried beans, it’s also one of the easiest. No soaking, no simmering necessary.

Cooking beans in a pressure cooker or instant pot allows you to cook up to a pound of dried beans at a time.

Using a ratio of one cup of beans to four cups of water, simply place the beans and water in the instant pot, and cook on the high-pressure setting. The amount of time needed will vary by bean size and type.

Release the steam naturally to help keep the skin of the bean intact.

pinto beans in white bowl

How to cook beans in a Slow Cooker

Cooking beans in a slow cooker is a simple, convenient method that allows flavors to infuse over a long period. When used properly, this method yields deliciously tender beans without needing to monitor it closely - combine your beans with desired seasonings in your slow cooker, set it to the appropriate temperature setting, and let the machine do its work for you!

Using a ratio of one cup of beans to three cups of water, simply place the beans and water in the slow cooker, and cook on low or high. The amount of time needed will vary by bean size and type.

Typically, I cook beans on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Tips for cooking dried beans

  • Toss your old beans
  • The age of the bean matters when it comes to cooking times and bean quality. Beans older than 2 years old will maintain their hard exterior, even with a good soak. For beans this old, it’s best to throw them out.
  • Salt beans halfway through cooking.

What to cook beans in?

I use water. And use the bean water for flavor. You can also use chicken broth. 

Recipes using Dried Beans

plates of dried beans on white background
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

How to Cook Dried Beans from Scratch

Once you learn how to cook dried beans from scratch, you’ll want to say ‘goodbye’ to the canned stuff!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Servings: 12
Calories: 127kcal
Author: Tanya

Ingredients

  • 1 lb dried beans about 2 ⅓ cups
  • 6 cups water or broth
  • Seasonings (salt, fresh herbs, etc)

Instructions

  • Prepare the Beans. Rinse and sort through the beans. Then decide if you will soak, quick soak, or not soak.

Quick Soak

  • Place rinsed beans in a large pot. Cover with 6-8 cups of water. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cover with lid and let stand for 1 hour.

Overnight Soak

  • Place rinsed beans in a large pot. Cover the beans with 6-8 cups of cold water. Let stand overnight or for about 6-8 hours.

Cooking the Beans

  • Add aromatics like fresh herbs. Bring beans and water to a simmer over medium heat. Cook beans until tender, for about 1-2 hours, depending on the size of the beans. Add salt halfway through cooking.

Notes

  • The size of the bean will affect how long you need to cook the beans.
Size Cook Time
Small beans (black beans, pinto beans, navy beans) 60 - 90 minutes
Medium beans (Great northern, 90-120 minutes
Large beans (Lima beans, Butter beans, red kidney beans) 90- 160 minutes
  • Cooking the beans in the soaking water will result in flavorful beans. You may discard the soaking water and cook the beans in fresh water. 

Nutrition

Calories: 127kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 514mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 3mg