Stovetop Cajun White Beans

When you wanna season a pot of white beans in one fell swoop, rely on our White Bean Flavor Infusion. Whether you prefer Great Northerns, Navy Beans, Limas, or Cannellinis, you’ll be good to go.

Stovetop Creole Red Beans

Our Red Bean Flavor Infusion is a tried-and-true blend of authentic Creole spices and vegetables that’ll season a pot of red beans to perfection. You won’t believe how easy it is to get great flavor — just add beans!

Instant Pot Red Bean Soup

Enjoy the traditional flavor of red beans and rice, but in soup form! This recipe involves sautéing vegetables and sausage, then pressure-cooking with red beans, ham hock, and flavorful seasonings. After cooking, the soup is served over rice for a hearty and satisfying meal.

Slow Cooker Beef & Black Bean Chili

This slow cooker beef and black-bean chili is easy, hearty & flavorful, and it’s certain to become a gameday favorite.

Instant Pot White Bean Chili

A fast, comforting, and delicious Instant Pot white chicken chili recipe that’s great for weeknights as well as game day get-togethers.

Sharing tips and tricks for her favorite New Orleans dishes from her custom pink wheelchair, Amelia Labeaud is a fun-loving New Orleans native raised in the 7th ward who has always had a passion for her city’s food and culture.

Not long ago, her viral video for red beans and rice — made with pickled pig tips and Camellia Brand Red Bean Flavor Infusion — got people talking. “What are pickled pig tips and where do you get them?” commenters asked.

Pickled Tips

Popular in the South and especially among Louisiana cooks, pig tips are the meaty chunks from the underside of spare ribs that contain cartilage but no bone. When a rack is trimmed to make ribs, the boneless strip of meaty rib ends (or tips) remains. A form of pickled pork, pickled tips are inexpensive and used as a flavoring agent in many iconic Southern dishes such as red, white and lima beans, including all manner of stewed vegetables. And you can buy them packaged at many grocery stores and butcher shops.

Amelia, (who goes by ‘Melia’) loves using pickled tips and cooking them low and slow in dishes from red beans to cabbage to greens. “I think they give a really good, buttery, salty taste. It gives the food really good flavor,” she says. Check out her recipe for Red Beans with Pickled Pig Tips.

An Adventure on TikTok

Melia’s adventure on TikTok started a few years back, when her daughter pleaded, “Mom, let’s get on this TikTok trend called ‘things New Orleans people see’.” So for kicks, they created a New Orleans-themed video, and the next day, her daughter exclaimed, “Mom, it’s gone viral!”

“You know, kids get excited about every little thing, so I kind of brushed it off,” says Melia. But when she looked at how many people had reacted to her video, she was amazed. As she experimented with posts to see what grabbed folks’ attention, she noticed that fans were gravitating to her New Orleans-style cooking videos.

How a Giveaway Turned Into a Business

Melia continued to create cooking videos, and in hopes of reaching a few hundred thousand followers, she offered a giveaway — a box full of iconic New Orleans snacks that she grew up enjoying, filled with products like Mama Noodles, Big Shot Cold Drinks, Elmer’s CheeWees, and Zapp’s Chips.

Fans were clamoring for the goods, which is how her giveaway turned into a flourishing business called The Original New Orleans Snack Box. She now sells New Orleans snack boxes and homemade spicy bowls to fans far and wide.

And when she’s not hustling, selling, and shipping, she’s cooking and eating. Want to see what she’s up to? You can follow Melia on all of her social media platforms @RollingWithMelia — on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Bigo.

Camellia’s Famous New Orleans-Style White Beans & Shrimp

White beans and shrimp are a classic combination, and this recipe is one of New Orleans’ finest.

Cafe Reconcile’s White Beans & Shrimp

Festival season is upon us in Louisiana and that means creamy White Beans and Shrimp are on the menu. Cafe Reconcile’s take on it is one of our favorites.

Creole Shrimp & Red Bean Tacos

Shrimp covered in Creole seasoning, seared in a hot skillet, and served with a bit of Fresh Mex creates this a flavorful taco feast. Make with Camellia Brand Red Kidney Beans cooked in advance, and the dish comes together quickly, too.

Garlicky Shrimp & Blackeye Peas

Throughout the South, blackeye peas are popular New Year’s fare for the promise of luck and money (and because they taste so good). Good luck can grace your table all year long with this recipe.

Shrimp & Black Bean Skillet Casserole

Use make-ahead black beans, or Instant Pot Black Beans and prep your ingredients ahead of time for a one-pot, easy weeknight meal. The combination of shrimp, lime juice, cilantro, and green onions pairs perfectly with black beans and Jasmine rice, and this dish works well served hot or at room-temperature.

Camellia’s Shrimp, Andouille and White Bean Cassoulet

A labor of love, white bean cassoulet is a decadent and delicious way to savor the flavors of Louisiana and is topped off with shrimp.

Garbanzo Summer Salad with Feta and Shrimp

Fresh, colorful, and full of flavor, this hearty summer salad offers up the best of what’s in season.

Lima Beans with Shrimp and Andouille

A delicious and creamy dish, this Large Lima bean recipe comes to life when fresh shrimp are added near the end of cooking.

Grilled Corn, Shrimp and Pink Bean Salad

A perfect summer dish featuring seasonal ingredients, this pink bean salad hits the spot when you’re craving something light and flavorful.

Festive Mardi Gras Party Foods: Red Beans, Jambalaya, Fried Chicken, Po-Boys and King Cake

Mardi Gras parties in and around New Orleans range from the truly basic (i.e., a box of fried chicken and a six-pack) to the very elaborate (catered affairs with hot cocktail buffets, open bars, and customized go-cups), with no one way to do it up right. But those who live on or near a parade route — as well as those who love to celebrate Carnival wherever they are — tend to have their preferred party hosting plan down to a science, since they usually make an annual event out of it.

Whether you’re in New Orleans or just wish you were, throwing a Mardi Gras party is all about fun food that’s simple to make and easy to serve. It takes a little planning, but the key is to create a help-yourself spread that doesn’t require much fuss and lets guests come and go, grazing as they like and coming back for seconds and thirds. With the menu below, you’ve got all your bases covered. In fact, the only things you have to cook are the red beans and the jambalaya – and even those pretty much cook themselves in the slow cooker.

Red Beans and Rice Is Nice – Especially When Made in Your Slow Cooker

A staple of any Mardi Gras menu is Red Beans and Rice. Whether you prefer to use our signature Camellia Red Kidney Beans, or our foolproof, flavorful Creole Red Bean Seasoning and its accompanying Slow Cooker Creole Red Beans recipe – the key is to keep things effortless. And since you don’t have to watch the stove, you can enjoy the festivities just like your guests. After your red beans have cooked, simply turn the slow cooker setting down to warm, and the beans can stay right where they are for another couple of hours – getting thicker and creamier all the while. You can also cook your rice ahead of time and place it in a large serving bowl. Guests can add a little rice to a bowl, ladle the warm red beans on top, and enjoy.

Fried Chicken Is a Perfect Choice

An essential for any Mardi Gras party spread is fried chicken. Because it can be served hot, cold, or at room temperature, it’s a great dish for a casual party buffet – and it’s finger food at its finest. Simply pick up a box or two of your favorite fried chicken, serve on a platter, and make sure there are plenty of napkins at the ready.

Petite Po-boys Round Out the Buffet

Mini po-boys made with tender roast beef, turkey, and ham, dressed with mayo, lettuce, and cheese on French bread are another must-have for your party spread. A Mardi Gras favorite, they’re easy to order and to pick up from any New Orleans grocery store, and they’re just the kind of thing that appeals to kids and adults alike. Can’t find ‘em where you are? As long as you can get your hands on some good French bread, they’re easy to make yourself. Just as popular and sure to get eaten quickly are an assortment of finger sandwiches or mini muffalettas made with olive salad, mozzarella, ham, and provolone.

Crown Your Party Table With a King Cake

Add to your table a large and generously sliced king cake, and you’ve got all the party foods covered. (Good thing you can order king cakes online, if you’re not in NOLA.) Be sure to add finger foods along with your favorite chips and salsas, and stock a self-serve bar with soft drinks, Bloody Marys, plenty of cold beer, go-cups, and napkins. And with that, the party can get started.

Mardi Gras Party Checklist

• Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

• Slow Cooker Jambalaya

• Fried Chicken
• Mini Po-boy Sandwiches
• King Cake
• Chips, Salsas and Finger Foods
• Soft Drinks
• Beer and Bloody Marys
• Go-Cups
• Napkins

Crowder Peas Succotash

While most succotash recipes call for lima beans, this one features crowder peas — as well as fresh or frozen corn kernels, chopped onion, red and green bell pepper and seasonings. It’s a great way to add a pop of color and fresh flavor to your holiday table and will complement any main dish.

Cauliflower Lima Bean Au Gratin

With all the goodness of a creamy mac ‘n cheese, our Cauliflower Lima Bean Au Gratin brings together cauliflower, buttery large lima beans, and a heavenly bechamel sauce made with butter, flour, milk, seasonings, sharp cheddar and freshly grated Parmesan. Topped with bread crumbs, and baked till bubbly and brown, this cheesy dish will complement ham, roasts or turkey. And it will be gobbled up by adults and kids alike.

Blackeye Pea Salad

This delicious recipe from Chef Jennifer Hill Booker is a real crowd pleaser, no matter what the occasion. A slightly different take on the ever-popular Cowboy Caviar, it features cooked Camellia Brand Blackeye Peas, fresh thyme, parsley, red and green bell pepper and a tangy apple cider vinaigrette with a touch of honey and red pepper flakes. Serve it with big Frito scoops, crackers, and chips and watch it disappear.

Buttermilk Cornbread in Cast Iron Skillet

Featuring the flavors of browned butter, tangy buttermilk, and sweet maple syrup, this cornbread recipe is a southern favorite that’ll get gobbled up as a side dish (or the next day for breakfast)! It’s especially helpful for scooping up other sides like succotash. The recipe is versatile, so if you like a sweeter cornbread, feel free to add more maple, honey or agave syrup to suit your taste.

Maybe you’re a seasoned cook with a little too much on your plate right now. Or you’re new-ish to New Orleans classics and need some gentle guidance. Either way, there’s a time and a place for simpler (yet still delicious) red beans and rice. And it calls for Camellia Red Bean Flavor Infusion — a tried-and-true blend of authentic Creole spices and vegetables you can use to season a pot of Camellia Red Kidney Beans to perfection.

Camellia Red Bean Flavor Infusion is all natural, gluten free, and easy to use. It has the key spices and vegetables you need to make the best red beans, with the kind of nuanced, savory, foolproof flavor that tastes like you’ve been adding a little of this and a little of that to the pot all day long.

There’s a three-step recipe right on the box; all you do is add a 1-lb. bag of Camellia Red Kidney Beans, water, the Red Bean Flavor Infusion, and simmer on the stove. It’s worth noting that the recipe is so versatile, you can add smoked sausage, andouille sausage, or ham when you add the seasoning — or, keep it vegan. And if you like extra veggie flavor, feel free to sauté and add the trinity, as well. The point is that the recipe can be very straight-ahead and simple — just the beans, the seasoning, and water — or, you can add whatever else you like to achieve your perfect pot of red beans.

For creamy, tasty homemade red beans:

1) In a heavy pot, add 1 lb. Red Kidney Beans, rinsed and sorted, plus 8-10 cups of water.
2) Bring beans to a boil for 10 minutes.
3) Stir in Red Bean Flavor Infusion, reduce heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 to 1 ½ hours — or until beans are tender.

Creole Red Beans: Step-by-Step

First up. Rinse and sort the beans, and add them to a heavy pot with 8-10 cups of water. (Want to sauté some trinity and add that, as well? Go right ahead.) Bring the beans to a boil on the stovetop for 10 minutes.

Then, stir in the Creole Red Bean Seasoning, reduce heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally. (Adding all the seasoning at this point won’t keep the beans from getting soft, we promise! Read more about that myth.)

By the way, this would also good time to add sautéed smoked sausage, andouille sausage, or ham — if you like your red beans meaty.

As your beans slowly simmer for 1 – 1 1/2 hours, lift the cover, and stir occasionally. If you like them creamier, use the back of a spoon to mash some of the beans against the inside of the pot.

Once your red beans are nice and soft, serve with hot cooked rice alongside some cornbread or French bread. Sprinkle with chopped green onions, offer up some hot sauce, and delight in the fact that this time, you took an easier route — but just as delicious — to a tried and true favorite.