Red Beans and Rice in the Instant Pot
Red beans and rice is a New Orleans classic that traditionally simmers for hours. The Instant Pot cuts the cooking time considerably while keeping the creamy, savory result. It is also budget-friendly, makes a lot, and reheats well, so it suits meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried small red beans (or dark red kidney beans, see the safety note below)
- 1 tablespoon oil or sausage drippings
- 1 onion, 1 bell pepper and 2 stalks of celery, chopped (the “holy trinity”)
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic
- 8 to 12 ounces smoked sausage, such as andouille, sliced
- 1 or 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon thyme, Cajun or Creole seasoning, a little cayenne
- About 4 cups chicken broth or water (check your recipe and pot)
- Salt to taste
- Cooked white rice, for serving
- Green onions and hot sauce, for topping
Instructions
- Rinse and sort the beans, discarding any stones or damaged beans.
- Saute the sausage in the pot until browned, then the onion, pepper, celery and garlic until softened. Scrape up any browned bits.
- Add the beans, seasonings, bay leaves and liquid.
- Pressure cook on high. Unsoaked beans commonly take around 25 to 30 minutes, while soaked beans take less. Recipes vary, and older beans may need longer.
- Allow a natural release, ideally 15 to 20 minutes, which helps keep beans intact.
- Mash and simmer. Remove the bay leaves, mash some of the beans against the side of the pot, and use Saute to simmer a few minutes until thick and creamy.
- Serve over rice.
Soaked or Unsoaked Beans?
Both work. Soaking shortens the cooking time and some people find it gives more even results. Cooking from dry saves planning ahead and is fine in the pressure cooker. If you are using a recipe, follow its time for the method it describes.
Safety Note on Kidney Beans
Raw or undercooked red kidney beans contain a natural toxin that can make people sick. Thorough cooking makes them safe. Pressure cooking generally gets beans hot enough, but beans should be fully tender. Slow cookers often do not reach a full boil, so do not cook dry kidney beans in one unless you first soak them, drain the water and boil them vigorously in fresh water for at least 10 minutes (some sources recommend longer). Canned beans are already cooked. When in doubt, follow the package directions or your local food-safety agency’s advice.
Can You Cook the Rice and Beans Together?
It is possible in some one-pot recipes, but the cooking times are quite different, since dried beans take longer than rice. Cooking them together in one go can leave the beans hard or the rice mushy. Most cooks make the beans first and serve them over rice cooked separately. Another way is to cook rice in a covered dish above the beans using the pot-in-pot method (see our pot-in-pot guide), though timing still needs care. For a recipe where rice and legumes cook together, see arroz con gandules in our Puerto Rican Instant Pot recipes.
What Is the Secret Ingredient?
Different cooks give different answers. Commonly mentioned ones are smoked meat such as ham hock or andouille, a splash of hot sauce or vinegar at the end, and mashing some of the beans to thicken the pot. There is no single official answer.
Tips for Creamy Beans
- Use enough liquid so the pot reaches pressure and the beans stay covered.
- Do not quick release right away, since that can split the skins.
- Mash a portion of the beans at the end.
- Keep acidic ingredients like tomatoes or vinegar until after pressure cooking, since they can slow bean softening.
- Salt can go in during cooking in many recipes, but adjust at the end.
Variations
- Vegetarian: skip the sausage, and use smoked paprika for depth.
- Ham hock: add one in place of or alongside the sausage.
- Using canned beans: shorten the pressure time substantially and use less liquid. Follow a recipe designed for canned beans.
Storage and Freezing
Refrigerate leftover red beans and rice for a few days. Beans freeze well in portions without the rice. Reheat with a splash of water or broth, since they thicken as they sit. Serve with cornbread, greens, or pork tenderloin for a heartier plate. For a slow cooker option, see our slow cooker pinto beans.
FAQ
How long does it take to cook red beans in the Instant Pot? Roughly 25 to 30 minutes at high pressure for unsoaked beans, plus time to come to pressure and release, though it varies.
Can I use kidney beans? Yes, but small red beans are traditional and creamier. Make sure kidney beans are fully cooked.