Zatarain's Red Beans & Rice, 8 oz — Pantry-Ready Side for the RV Kitchenette
Zatarain's Red Beans & Rice, 8 oz — Pantry-Ready Side for the RV Kitchenette
Couldn't load pickup availability
Why you'll love it
- Trusted heritage brand (Zatarain's, founded 1889) delivers authentic Louisiana flavor without a plane ticket
- Just-add-water stovetop method is faster and easier than cooking beans from scratch
- Shelf-stable box stores indefinitely in the pantry for spontaneous meals
- Affordable price point (typically under $3) fits tight grocery budgets
- Versatile base accepts added proteins (sausage, chicken, shrimp) to stretch into a full meal
- Vegetarian-friendly recipe base suitable for Meatless Monday meals
- Rice cooks perfectly — not too salty or too spicy
- Works well as a side dish when instructions are simply followed
- Highly praised spice blend quality by picky eaters
- Successfully fed and impressed guests as an easy, quick meal
- Good base flavor that can be enhanced with custom seasonings
Perfect for
- Quick 25-minute weeknight side dish paired with grilled or roasted meat
- Authentic one-pot New Orleans-style meal with added andouille sausage or ham
- Shelf-stable pantry staple for emergency meals or last-minute dinner
- Camping or RV dinner base that only requires water and a stovetop
- Budget-friendly Monday red beans tradition meal
- Stretching a meal for unexpected guests by adding extra brown rice, canned tomatoes, pinto beans, and spices
- Used as a 'fill-in' Subscribe & Save item to unlock max savings
- Standalone meatless meal when preferred
- Appetite-restoring meal for people recovering from illness
Made with Real Vegetables
We insist on good ingredients, because good ingredients make great flavor. In all our products, including our Rice Mixes, we use real vegetables, like onions and bell peppers, for a taste of The Big Easy in every bite.
Cajun-Creole Spices for Authentic Flavor
At Zatarain’s, we’ve been keeping it real since 1889. Our Rice Mixes contain no added MSG*. We use flavorful Cajun-Creole spices, such as paprika, red pepper and turmeric, to add the authentic tastes of New Orleans.
*Except those naturally occurring glutamates.
Prepared and On The Table In Less than 30 Minutes
Zatarain’s Rice Mixes are the perfect choice for busy families. They’re affordable, quick & easy to prepare and offer plenty of flavor variety. Add desired protein for a delicious one-pot meal solution that’s ready to serve in less than 30 minutes.
Make It Your Own
Jazz up our Rice Mixes with the addition of chopped vegetables – bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, peas, tomatoes … the possibilities are endless. You can make it a complete meal by adding smoked sausage, ham, cooked chicken, cooked ground beef, shrimp or canned beans.
Zatarain's Red Beans & Rice Dinner Mix
Red beans & rice is a quintessential New Orleans dish traditionally prepared on Mondays, when a long stovetop simmer gave households time to do laundry. Today, home cooks rely on Zatarain’s Red Beans & Rice Mix to prepare this classic in a fraction of the time, any day of the week.
Zatarain's Yellow Rice Mix
Yellow rice, or arroz amarillo in Spanish, is a staple in Latin American cuisine. It is served as a simple side dish or, more famously, cooked with chicken and other ingredients to create arroz con pollo. Zatarain’s Yellow Rice Mix is your flavorful shortcut to quick weeknight meals.
Zatarain's Gumbo Mix
Gumbo is a rich and flavorful melting pot, just like its soulful hometown. With Zatarain’s Gumbo Mix, you can easily prepare this Big Easy classic – just add cooked chicken, smoked sausage or seafood to our mix of long grain rice in a seasoned roux with red and green bell peppers.
Ingredients Enriched Long Grain Parboiled Rice (Rice, Iron, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid), Red Beans, Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Salt, Onion, Yeast Extract, Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Red and Green Bell Pepper, Malted Barley Flour, Garlic, Potassium Chloride, Spices (Including Paprika, Red Pepper), Citric Acid, Extractives of Paprika & Natural Flavor. Directions Stovetop: 1. In A 2 Quart Saucepan Combine 3 1/4 Cups Water, 1 Tablespoon Butter Or Margarine (Optional) And Zatarain's Red Beans And Rice. Stir Thoroughly And Bring To Boil. 2. Stir, Reduce Heat, Cover And Simmer Over Low Heat For 25 Minutes. Stir Occasionally To Prevent Sticking. 3. Remove From Heat, Let Stand 5 Minutes. Stir And Serve. Red Beans And Rice Will Be Saucy. For A Less Saucy Product Reduce Water By 1/4 Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really cook this with just a camp stove and water?
Yes. The only required equipment is a 2-quart pot, a heat source (camp stove, RV burner, or hot plate), and water. No refrigeration, special pans, or extra ingredients are needed.
Is the box durable enough to pack in a cooler or gear bin?
Yes. The cardboard box is sealed and shelf-stable, so it can handle being packed in dry gear storage. For wet environments, slip it into a zip bag for extra protection.
Does it work as a tailgate side dish on a small grill-side burner?
Yes. A standard single-burner tailgate setup is more than enough to simmer a 2-quart pot of this mix while the grill handles the main protein.
Can I prepare it in an RV kitchenette with limited counter space?
Yes. A 2-quart saucepan fits easily in most RV galleys, and the one-pot method keeps cleanup minimal in tight spaces.
Is the mix safe to store in a hot car, trailer, or gear box for the day?
Yes. The packaging is shelf-stable and sealed, so it tolerates ambient outdoor temperatures for the duration of a day trip. For long-term storage, keep it in a cool, dry place.
Is this a good base for a one-pot camping dinner over a fire?
Yes. As long as you have a stable pot over low coals or a camp stove, the 25-minute simmer method works the same as at home.
Can I add fresh-caught or pre-cooked proteins at the campsite?
Yes. Pre-cooked smoked sausage, sliced andouille, shrimp, or shredded chicken all stir in cleanly during the last 5 to 10 minutes of simmer.
Will the spice level appeal to a mixed group of outdoor eaters?
The Creole/Cajun blend is flavorful but generally not classified as hot. For a group with varying heat tolerance, it tends to land in the middle and is easy to cool down with a dollop of sour cream on top.
How does this compare to dehydrated camping meals in a pouch?
Dehydrated pouch meals are lighter and faster but typically cost 3 to 5 times more per serving and offer less flavor variety. This box delivers a familiar, heartier rice-and-beans base at a much lower per-meal cost.
How does it compare to cooking beans and rice from scratch at a campsite?
From-scratch red beans require soaking, long simmer times, and multiple spices. This mix skips all of that and gives you a finished dish in 25 minutes with one pot and one packet.
Is this heavy to pack on a backcountry trip?
At 8 oz, the box itself is light, but it is best suited to car camping, RV, or tailgate use. For backpacking, consider decanting a portion into a zip bag to save bulk and discard the box.
Will rain or humidity ruin the dry mix if the box gets slightly damp?
If the inner foil pouch stays sealed, the mix is fully protected. A wet outer box should be dried off before storage, but the contents remain safe as long as the pouch is intact.
Does it work as a hearty side for a cookout with multiple grilled mains?
Yes. It pairs naturally with grilled sausage, chicken, shrimp skewers, and burgers, which is exactly how it is used in most Louisiana-style outdoor meals.
Can I scale the recipe up to feed a tailgate group?
Yes. Multiple boxes can be cooked in a larger pot using the same ratio of water to mix, with a slightly longer simmer time at higher volume.
Is this a good pantry item to keep in an RV for the entire season?
Yes. Because it is shelf-stable and sealed, it can sit in an RV pantry for extended periods between trips without refrigeration.
Does it give me a hot, satisfying meal after a long day outdoors?
Yes. It is carb- and protein-rich from the rice and beans, and the savory Creole seasoning makes it feel like a real meal rather than a fuel stop.
How do I cook Zatarain's Red Beans & Rice on the stovetop?
Bring 2-1/4 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of butter (optional) to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan. Stir in the rice mix, return to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Can I make this in a rice cooker or Instant Pot instead of on the stovetop?
Stovetop is the method listed on the box. Some buyers report success adapting it in a rice cooker using the same water-to-mix ratio, but for consistent results, follow the printed stovetop instructions.
How long does the dry mix last in my pantry?
Because the box is sealed and shelf-stable, the dry mix stores indefinitely when kept in a cool, dry place. Always check the printed best-by date on the package for the manufacturer's recommendation.
Does this work with andouille sausage, ham, or other added proteins?
Yes. Pre-cooked andouille sausage, diced ham, shredded chicken, shrimp, or ground beef all pair well. Cook the protein separately and stir it in during the last 5 to 10 minutes of simmer so it heats through without overcooking.
Is this product vegetarian as packaged?
Yes. The dry mix is vegetarian as sold. The savory depth comes from hydrolyzed soy protein and yeast extract rather than any added meat, so it works for Meatless Monday and vegetarian diets as is.
What's in the box, and what do I need to buy separately?
The 8 oz box contains the dry rice, red beans, and Creole/Cajun seasoning blend. You need to supply water (2-1/4 cups) and optionally butter. Everything else you might add (sausage, vegetables, hot sauce) is optional and not required.
Is the packaging safe and sealed for long-term pantry storage?
Yes. The dry mix is packed in a sealed inner pouch inside the outer box, which keeps out moisture and air. As long as the pouch is intact, the mix stays fresh in the pantry.
Is this product safe for people with common food allergies?
The mix contains soy (hydrolyzed soy protein) and wheat ingredients from the enriched rice. Always review the printed ingredient list for the latest allergen information before consuming if you have specific sensitivities.
What's the difference between red beans and rice and just plain rice with beans?
Plain rice and beans is a neutral, unseasoned combination. Red beans and rice in the Louisiana tradition is defined by its Creole/Cajun seasoning blend (paprika, red pepper, bell pepper, garlic) and the slow-simmered integration of beans into the rice, which is exactly what this mix delivers in a fraction of the time.
