Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

Last Updated on November 16, 2023

Once you’ve made Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice, you’ll never go back to the stove top version.

The pressure cooker does all the hard work of converting dried beans to delicious, tender morsels so you don’t have to compromise taste and value by using canned beans.

Jump to:

• Are Dry Beans Better Than Canned Beans?
• Why I Love Red Beans and Rice
• Ingredients / Shopping List
• Substitutions and Additions
• Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
• How to Make Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
• Variations
• FAQs
• Other Recipes You May Enjoy
• 📋 Recipe

Are Dry Beans Better Than Canned Beans?

In a word, yes. Don’t get me wrong, canned beans are a great staple to keep on hand for quick, nutrient-dense meals.

But if you have the time to plan ahead, or if you’re feeding a large crowd, dried beans are the way to go. Here’s why:

• They’re REALLY inexpensive
• They taste better
• Unless you add a ton of salt to them, they have lower sodium

Why I Love Red Beans and Rice

Having raised three boys through their teen years, I have to say my favorite thing about this meal is that it’s one of the cheapest and easiest ways to feed a hungry crowd.

Rice and beans are both really inexpensive, easy to make in bulk, and together, are very filling.

Loaded with protein, fiber, vitamins and antioxidants, rice and beans combine to make a complete protein to provide you with all the essential amino acids your body needs.

Ingredients / Shopping List

• 1 pound andouille sausage cut into quarters
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic-minced
• 1 pound dried red kidney beans, rinsed
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning 
• 4 sprigs dried thyme, remove leaves from stem
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• cooked rice (1 cup per serving)

Substitutions and Additions

Sausage: Andouille sausage will give you the most authentic Cajun flavor, but you can also use smoked sausage, kielbasa or turkey sausage if you prefer.

Bell Pepper: I like red bell pepper in this recipe because the color matches nicely and the subtle sweetness adds a nice dimension, but you can substitute any type of bell pepper here.

Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

• Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Potato masher

How to Make Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

While your pressure cooker will do most of the work, there are a few steps you’ll have to handle before letting it take over. Trust me, this little bit of effort will make a big difference in delivering amazing flavor.

Step 1: Brown Sausage

To begin, turn your Instant Pot on and set to sauté mode. Once the display reads “Hot,” add the oil followed by the sliced Andouille sausage (I used turkey sausage so yours might look different).

Once the sausage is lightly browned, remove the pieces from the Instant Pot to a plate and set aside.

Step 2: Soften Vegetables

With the Instant Pot still on sauté mode, add another tablespoon of oil followed by the diced onions and bell pepper.

Cook, while stirring, for two to three minutes, until the onions and pepper are softened.

Once the vegetables are softened, add the minced garlic to the pot and stir. Cook for another minute, scraping the bottom of the pot to remove any residue.

Step 3: Add Broth

Next, pour in six cups of chicken broth.

Step 4: Add Beans and Seasoning

It’s almost time to let the pressure cooker take over. We just need to add the beans and seasoning.

Make sure you’ve rinsed the beans well before adding them to the pot. Then, add the Cajun seasoning, thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.

Return the sausage to the pot. Stir to combine. Cancel the sauté function.

Step 5: Pressure Cook

Secure the lid of the Instant Pot and set the valve to sealing. Set the pot to high pressure for 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Once the timer beeps to indicate the cook time has ended, move the valve to venting to quick release the pressure. When the pressure has fully released, carefully remove the lid.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

To finish the dish, remove the bay leaves from the pot, then use a potato masher to smash the beans and release their flavor. We’re not trying to turn them into mush, just break them open.

Spoon the red bean concoction over cooked rice for a hearty, and heart-healthy meal!

Variations

Healthy Version: Use a smoked turkey sausage instead of andouille sausage and brown rice or cauliflower rice instead of white rice. You can add some fresh spinach leaves at the end, just before mashing the beans for added nutrients too.

Mexican Version: Use chorizo in place of the andouille sausage. And instead of the Cajun seasoning, thyme and bay leaves, use two teaspoons of paprika and one teaspoon each of cumin and oregano. Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste too.

FAQs

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

• Instant Pot Jambalaya
• Instant Pot Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo
• Cajun Chicken Pasta
• Instant Pot Copycat Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
• Instant Pot Pork and Beans

📋 Recipe

Need to run to the store for a few ingredients first? Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can find it when you’re ready to cook!