This red beans and rice is jam-packed full of authentic New Orleans flavor, but made in Instant Pot for a quicker and easier Cajun meal! With no shortcuts, just simple ingredients like dried red beans, andouille sausage, and plenty of spices. Filling, satisfying, and budget-friendly, you’ll come back to this recipe over and over, just like we do. From our Southern family.
Why This Recipe Is So Good
- Soft beans, Cajun-seasoned andouille sausage, and fresh veggies with a heaping side of rice and a dash of Tabasco makes the most delicious, warm, family-friendly dinner without having to make a trip to New Orleans.
- Red beans and rice cooked in the Instant Pot is so easy, but still full of all the rich flavors and perfect textures of a traditionally cooked recipe. Even better? You don’t have to soak your beans!
- We like our Instant Pot red beans and rice with a slice of cornbread – this is a complete meal for us! The slightly sweet cornbread dipped into the spicy beans is the ultimate flavor explosion.
How To Make Red Beans and Rice In The Instant Pot
- Heat the neutral oil in an Instant Pot on Sauté mode at normal heat. Add the sausage and sauté, stirring occasionally, until both sides are browned. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set the side.
- There will still be some oil left in the Instant Pot from step 1. Add the beans, onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic to that, and sauté until softened.
- Add the rest of the ingredients except the rice, and secure the lid. Cook Manual High Pressure for 45 minutes. After time is up, let naturally release for 20 minutes.
- Mash everything with a potato masher until at desired texture. Add about 1/2-1 teaspoon of salt and stir. The beans should be soft and a little soupy. If you desire a thinner consistency, add an additional cup of water.
- Serve with a large scoop of rice. Garnish with the green onions. Serve with hot sauce, like Tabasco, if desired. The extra spice and acidity adds the perfect Cajun touch!
Top Tips For Making
- If you can’t find dried kidney beans, you can use dried small red beans. You’ll want to cook them for 50 minutes on manual high pressure instead.
- No need to soak your beans prior to making this recipe. If your beans are soaked, however, cut your cook time down from 45 minutes to 20, then check to make sure they are soft.
More Instant Pot Dinner Recipes
- Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs
- Dreamy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Chicken and “Rice” Soup (Whole30, Low Carb)
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Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
Loaded with New Orleans flavor, this super easy red beans and rice recipe is made in the Instant Pot.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry kidney beans
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil
- 1 pound andouille sausage sliced
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 2 tablespoons garlic minced
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 6 cups cooked white rice from 2 cups dried
- green onions greens thinly sliced, for garnish
- salt to taste
- hot sauce to serve, optional
Instructions
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Heat oil in Instant Pot on Sauté mode at normal heat. Add sausage and sauté, stirring occasionally, until both sides are browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and set the side.
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To oil remaining in Instant Pot from first step, add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic to that, saute until softened.
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Add rest of ingredients except rice and garnishes, and secure the lid. Cook Manual High Pressure for 45 minutes. Let naturally release for 20 minutes.
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Mash everything with a potato masher until at the desired texture. Add about 1/2-1 teaspoon of salt and stir. Beans should be soft and a little soupy. If you desire a thinner consistency, add an additional cup of water.
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Serve with a large scoop of rice. Garnish with the green onions. Serve with hot sauce, like Tabasco, if desired.
Recipe Notes
- No dried kidney beans: Use dried small red beans and cook them for 50 minutes on manual high pressure instead.
- Soaked beans: Cut your cook time down from 45 minutes to 20, then check to make sure they are soft.
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