Red Beans And Rice Gift In A Jar (+ Free Printable Tags)
Use these easy instructions and printable directions to make a quick and unusual red beans and rice gift in a jar for holidays, hostess gifts and more.
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After creating the recipe for Rosemary Focaccia in a Jar, I wanted a soup or other food to go along with the bread in a gift basket, but kind of wanted something as unique as the bread. Thinking about what type of recipes can be adapted to a gift in a jar, a favorite recipe for red beans and rice came to mind.
It took just a bit of creative thinking (and the use of a baggie and plastic wrap) to make this work for a mason jar gift, which I think turned out great! Not only is this presentation unusual, it shares that great thing about gifts in jars – the reusable container that can be used for storage.
Of course, this red beans and rice gift can stand on its own as a hostess gift or “night off from dinner” gift along with a bagged salad.
To make this even more unique, I was able to use some home-grown, dried heirloom Jacob’s Cattle beans. So instead of titling the recipe for my tag “Red Beans and Rice”, I called it “Heirloom Jacob’s Cattle Beans and Rice.” You can substitute different beans for the red beans – it’s up to you.
Below you’ll find a printable pdf with instructions for four jars, as well as all the steps need to make this easy red beans and rice gift in a jar. (TIP: this is a great last-minute gift!)
How to Make Red Beans and Rice Mason Jar Gift
Supplies
- Wide mouth quart size mason jar
- Rice
- Dried beans
- Spices: bay leaf, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, dried basil, dried parsley, cayenne pepper
- Small tie-top bag
- Plastic wrap + twist-tie
- Ribbon or twine + printable instruction tag
Directions
The key to making this jar work is to keep the three main items separate:
- the rice
- beans
- and spices
1. Put the rice into a clear tie-top baggie (zipper-top bags don’t fold as well in the jar) before setting it in a wide-mouth jar. And then add the beans on top of the rice baggie.
2. Use a square of plastic wrap and measure out all of the spices into the middle.
3. Bring the edges together and tie the plastic closed with a twist-tie, creating a “spice packet.” Add this on top of the beans in the jar.
4. Screw the lid on and attach the printable instructions (included below) with twine or a ribbon.
Idea for a gift basket: Include a small bottle of hot sauce with the red beans and rice and nestle them both, along with the jar of Rosemary Focaccia if you’d like, in a serving bowl (the bowl pictured was a thrift store find) or a basket lined with a pretty napkin.
I’d be thrilled to get a gift like this- wouldn’t you? A night off from planning dinner!
Print out the how-to recipe to make the jar and then the tags below to gift:
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Red Beans And Rice Gift In A Jar
Ingredients
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 2 cups dried red beans, about 3/4 pound
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional: omit and include a couple cloves of fresh garlic in basket)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Place the rice in a clear plastic baggie with a twist-tie closure. Put in the bottom of a wide-mouth quart jar. Pour the beans directly on top of the rice baggie.
- Place all the spices in the middle of a square of plastic wrap. Bring up the edges and close with a twist-tie. Put on top of the beans in the jar (trim the top of the spice packet with scissors, if needed).
- Use a ribbon or twine to attach the cooking instructions to the jar.
Notes
Nutrition
Directions to attach to jar:
Click on the image below to open in a new window (then right-click to download to your computer):
To Make a Tag:
Print directions and cut out. Punch hole in corner of one recipe instructions or glue to a slightly bigger piece of cardstock or scrapbook paper and fold in half before punching hole. Thread ribbon or twine through and tie around lid.
Other Easy Jar Gifts To Make:
Rosemary Focaccia Bread in a jar
Cinnamon-Oat Pancake and Waffle Mix Gift
Ranch Salad Dressing Mix Mason Jar Gift
Note: this article was originally published in 2011 has been updated with larger photos, clearer formatting, and new printable tags. Enjoy!
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