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Instant Pot red beans and rice is the 1-hour pressure cooker version of a New Orleans classic made with dried red beans and smoked andouille sausage for delicious Southern flavor!
For more Southern food inspiration, try my Instant Pot Collard Greens next.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- The pressure cooker allows you to enjoy a scrumptious New Orleans-inspired staple in under 75 minutes, and it's mostly hands-off.
- Use soaked or unsoaked dried red beans. Of course, you'll find instructions for both in this recipe.
- This simplified recipe is appropriate for any Instant Pot cooking level.
- Widely available ingredients like andouille sausage and Creole seasoning bring a big Southern flavor and comfort to this time-honored dish.
- Red beans and rice are as common to Mardi Gras as black eyed peas are to a new year in the South – you'll love both recipes!
Ingredient notes
- Olive oil - Or preferred cooking oil.
- Smoked andouille sausage - Since smoked sausage is fully cooked, you only need a quick sear using the Instant Pot 'Saute' setting to enhance the flavor.
- Onion, celery, and green bell pepper - Essential aromatics to New Orleans-inspired cuisine.
- Garlic cloves - Feel free to add as many as you like!
- Cajun or Creole seasoning - Use packaged seasoning or make a homemade blend with spices from your pantry.
- Dried red beans - This recipe uses small red beans or kidney beans.
- Dried oregano - This adds a distinct savory aroma and flavor!
- Salt and pepper - These can be adjusted to taste before serving.
- Dried bay leaf - Adds a delicious piney flavor and aroma to this classic Southern stew.
- Chicken broth - Or plain water can be used for this recipe.
- Cooked rice - An essential component of red beans and rice, so make sure to use a quality rice that you love!
How to make Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
These step-by-step photos offer a visual guide to accompany the printable recipe below. Enjoy!
Step 1. Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot using the saute setting. Add andouille sausage and sear just until the surfaces are browned. Transfer the sausage out of the pressure cooker and set aside. Drain excess grease, if needed, but save some for the next step.
Step 2. To the cooker, add onions, celery, bell pepper and garlic. Saute until very tender. Add seasoning and saute for a few minutes. A splash of chicken broth will help deglaze the bottom of the Instant Pot if needed. Then, add the remaining ingredients: red beans, oregano, salt, pepper, bay leaves, and chicken broth. Stir to combine.
Step 3. Close and lock the lid. Pressure cook for 30 minutes, followed by a 20-minute natural pressure release. Test cooked beans for softness and, if needed, add more pressure cook time in 5-minute pressure cooking intervals. The final step is to stir the sausage back into the pot.
Step 4. Serve warm with cooked rice. Garnish with green onions and fresh cilantro or fresh parsley.
Recipe Tips
- Smoked andouille sausage is fully cooked, so don't overcook it. A quick sear is all you need to enhance the flavor and juiciness of this recipe.
- Dried beans naturally lose moisture over time, which can affect total pressure-cooking time, as with Instant Pot black beans. So, I recommend testing the cooked beans for softness and, if needed, repeating the pressure-cook cycle in 5-minute increments until the beans are soft and tender.
- Since the heat and flavor of andouille sausage or Cajun and Creole seasoning blends may vary, this recipe instructs seasoning to taste.
- This recipe yields a delectable stew-like texture. You can thicken the sauce by mashing a small portion of the cooked beans. Or make it thinner, like a broth-based soup, by increasing the broth to 2 cups.
- At the end of the cooking cycle, the Instant Pot naturally goes into "Keep warm" mode until the "Cancel" button is selected.
Recipe variations
- Substitute classic andouille sausage with chicken or turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Red kidney beans OR small red beans can be used interchangeably or together for this recipe. Both are usually available at most grocery stores.
- Add a classic smoky flavor with ½ pound of smoked protein, such as a spiral ham bone, ham hock, or turkey wings. Pressure cook it with the beans, transfer it from the pot, strip any meat, and discard all bones and gristle before serving.
- Serve red beans and rice with white rice, or make Instant Pot brown rice in advance for added nutrition.
- Instant Pot red beans and rice have unique flavors, but will likely not be spicy enough for some. So, I recommend serving it with cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or fresh peppers as condiments.
Serving Ideas
Homemade French bread and a classic green salad are the perfect accompaniments to this delectable entree. When you make Instant Pot red beans and rice, you have time to whip up this moist cornbread recipe. Save room for dessert because Bananas Foster is a classic New Orleans finish!
Storage instructions
Allow red beans and rice to cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container or freezer-safe packaging. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 90 days (or longer if vacuum sealed). Thaw in the refrigerator for 8 hours.
Recommended Instant Pot dinners
- Instant Pot Corned Beef
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Whole Chicken
- Instant Pot Spaghetti
- Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
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Note about scaling
When scaling, the light gray ingredient notes after the comma don’t change. Adjust as needed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Dried Red Beans, soaking optional
- 1 teaspoon Olive Oil, or other cooking oil
- 12 ounces Smoked Andouille Sausage, sliced (about 3 cups)
- ½ large Onion, diced
- 2 ribs Celery, diced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, diced
- 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
- Cajun or Creole Seasoning, as needed *see footnote
- 1 Tablespoon Dried Oregano
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 6 cups Chicken Broth, use 4 cups for soaked beans
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 4 cups Cooked Rice, for serving
Instructions
- Sort and rinse the DRIED RED BEANS. If soaking, continue to step 2. If using the no-soak option, skip to step 3.
- To soak, place beans in a large bowl with 8 cups water and soak for 8 hours. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
- Select "Sauté" on the Instant Pot and add OIL. When the display reads "Hot", add ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE and sear until lightly browned, stirring as needed.
- Transfer cooked sausage onto a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.Note: If needed, drain excess oil from the Instant Pot, leaving about 1 tablespoon for the next step.
- To the pot, add ONIONS, CELERY, BELL PEPPER, and GARLIC. Sauté 5 minutes until tender, stirring as needed.
- Sprinkle in CAJUN or CREOLE SEASONING and sauté veggies a few minutes. Add a splash of broth or water and deglaze the pot surface if it becomes dry.
- To the cooker, add BEANS, OREGANO, BAY LEAF, and CHICKEN BROTH. Stir to combine.
- Secure the lid and turn the pressure release valve to the "Sealing" position.Press "Cancel", then select "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" and set the Instant Pot on "High" pressure for 30 minutes (for unsoaked beans) or 15 minutes (for soaked beans).
- When the cycle completes, allow the Instant Pot to rest undisturbed for a 20-minute natural pressure release (NPR).
- Turn the pressure release valve to the "Venting" position to release any remaining steam. Carefully remove the lid.
- Give the beans a good stir and taste to make sure they're cooked to your liking. *see recipe footnote
- Remove BAY LEAVES, stir in cooked ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE. Add SALT and PEPPER to taste.
- Serve warm with cooked rice. Garnish options include green onions, cilantro, hot sauce, etc.
- To store, allow to cool completely and refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 90 days (or longer if vacuum sealed).
Recipe Notes
Equipment
- chef knife
Nutrition
Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on brands, ingredients, and portions.
Kushigalu says
Drooling over these beans and rice. Looks amazingly delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Beth says
This is such a great recipe. It's super hearty, but it doesn't take a long time to make. That's the best for me.
Sara Welch says
This was such a quick and hearty dish, that does not disappoint! Another great recipe for my instant pot, indeed!
Holley says
Super flavorful and hearty meal! Great recipe!
Ned says
Oh this is amazing and delicious! I love how easy it is to make in the instant pot! Thank you!
Jeff says
I nailed this recipe because you nailed it! I love the creamy texture, it's like a stew with so much flavor. It's the ultimate Instant Pot comfort food. Highly recommend for anytime dinner (not just Mardi Gras lol).