If you’ve ever dreamed of a cozy, soulful meal that’s bursting with flavor and brings a taste of Southern comfort straight to your table, this Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s the perfect balance of tender, creamy beans mingling with smoky Andouille sausage and a medley of classic Creole spices, all simmered in one pot for a dinner that feels like a warm hug. Plus, using an Instant Pot transforms what’s traditionally a long-cooking dish into a hands-off, much quicker delight without sacrificing any of that authentic richness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting this dish just right comes down to a handful of simple yet essential ingredients, each playing a key role in building a flavor-packed, hearty meal. From the holy trinity of Creole cooking to the smoky sausage and the perfectly seasoned beans, these components bring amazing texture, color, and taste to your bowl.
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle richness and helps soften the vegetables.
- Small onion (diced): Provides sweetness and depth to the base flavor.
- Green bell pepper (diced): Brings a fresh, slightly tangy crunch to the mix.
- Celery stalks (diced): Adds earthiness and the classic Creole “holy trinity” foundation.
- Garlic cloves (minced): Infuses aromatic warmth that ties all the flavors together.
- Dried red kidney beans (rinsed and sorted): The hearty star ingredient creating that creamy, satisfying texture.
- Dried thyme: Earthy and herbal notes that enhance the beans.
- Smoked paprika: Offers a subtle smoky undertone without overpowering.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): Adds a gentle heat that can be adjusted to taste.
- Black pepper: A must for a gentle bite of spice.
- Salt: The key seasoning for depth and balance.
- Creole or Cajun seasoning: Packs in distinctive, bold flavors of the South.
- Bay leaf: Adds complexity and an herbal lift to the broth.
- Low-sodium chicken broth or water: The cooking liquid that binds everything together with cozy warmth.
- Andouille sausage (sliced): Brings smoky, spicy meatiness that makes this dish unforgettable.
- Cooked white rice: The perfect fluffy bed to soak up all those rich, flavorful beans.
- Optional toppings (chopped green onions, hot sauce): These add a bright, fresh, or fiery kick to finish.
How to Make Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Start by turning your Instant Pot to the sauté mode and heating the olive oil. Toss in the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery, then let them cook for about 4 to 5 minutes until they’re soft and fragrant. This step is where the foundation of your dish’s amazing flavor begins to build. Next, stir in the minced garlic and cook for just 30 seconds more to wake up the aroma without letting it burn. Your kitchen will already start smelling incredible.
Step 2: Add Beans and Spices
To the softened vegetables, add your rinsed red kidney beans along with thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper if you want some heat, black pepper, salt, Creole seasoning, and the bay leaf. Then pour in the chicken broth or water and give everything a good stir. This is the flavorful liquid that transforms those beans into the creamy, hearty goodness you’re craving.
Step 3: Add the Andouille Sausage
Place the sliced Andouille sausage right on top of the bean mixture without stirring it in. This allows the sausage to lend its smokiness to the beans as they cook together in the Instant Pot, infusing the whole pot with layers of bold flavor.
Step 4: Pressure Cook the Beans
Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to sealing. Choose the Manual or Pressure Cook setting on High and cook for 45 minutes. Once the time is up, let the pressure naturally release for 15 minutes for perfectly tender beans, then carefully quick-release any remaining pressure.
Step 5: Finish and Thicken
Open the lid and fish out the bay leaf. For that classic creamy texture, mash some of the beans against the side of the pot with a spoon, then stir everything together. This step brings that luscious, stew-like consistency that makes this Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Recipe truly irresistible.
How to Serve Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Garnishes
A little fresh garnish goes a long way in lifting the dish. Try sprinkling chopped green onions on top for a pop of color and mild crunch. If you like a bit of heat, a dash or two of your favorite hot sauce adds a lively kick that complements the smoky richness of the beans and sausage perfectly.
Side Dishes
Serve this hearty meal with some simple cornbread or a side salad for balance. The cornbread’s sweet corn flavor and crumbly texture contrast beautifully with the creamy beans, while a crisp green salad adds freshness to round out the plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your meal feel festive by serving the beans over fluffy white rice in pretty bowls or deep plates. For a fun twist, spoon the red beans and sausage into baked sweet potatoes or use them as a filling for wraps or stuffed peppers for a portable lunch option with Southern flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover red beans and rice keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making for even tastier lunches or dinners.
Freezing
This dish freezes well if you want to enjoy it later. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Just be sure to leave out the rice if you prefer it freshly cooked, as rice texture can change when reheated from frozen.
Reheating
When ready to eat, reheat the beans gently in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the texture. Microwave works too—heat in short bursts, stirring in between to avoid uneven hot spots. Serve over freshly cooked rice for best texture.
FAQs
Can I use canned beans instead of dried?
While this Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Recipe is designed for dried beans to get that perfect creamy texture, you can use canned beans by reducing the cooking time and adjusting liquid quantities. However, dried beans yield the most traditional and flavorful results.
Is there a vegetarian version of this recipe?
Absolutely! Simply omit the Andouille sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can add smoked paprika and extra Creole seasoning to boost flavor and keep that smoky depth you love.
Do I need to soak the beans before cooking?
Soaking is optional with the Instant Pot. However, soaking your beans overnight can reduce the cooking time to about 30 minutes and may improve digestibility. If you soak, reduce the liquid slightly to avoid excess broth.
What kind of rice works best with this dish?
Long-grain white rice is classic because it stays fluffy and light, perfectly soaking up the rich bean sauce. You can also use brown rice or jasmine rice if you prefer, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
Can I make this recipe spicier?
Definitely! Increase the cayenne pepper or add hot sauce either during cooking or at the table. The beauty of this Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Recipe is how easy it is to customize the heat level to suit your taste.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about gathering around a bowl of homemade red beans and rice, especially when it’s made as effortlessly as this Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Recipe allows. It’s a beautiful blend of tradition, flavor, and convenience that’ll quickly become a go-to in your kitchen. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed how simple it is to create such a deeply comforting, soul-satisfying meal!
Print
Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes (plus pressure build-up and release)
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Creole, Southern
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice recipe offers a hearty and flavorful Creole classic made easy with pressure cooking. Featuring tender red kidney beans cooked with aromatic vegetables, spices, and smoky Andouille sausage, all served over fluffy white rice. Perfect for a comforting and satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb dried red kidney beans, rinsed and sorted
- 1 lb Andouille sausage, sliced
- 3 cups cooked white rice
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Creole or Cajun seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
Liquids
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
Optional Garnishes
- Chopped green onions
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add the olive oil, then sauté the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery for about 4–5 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Add Ingredients to Pot: Stir in the rinsed red kidney beans, dried thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), black pepper, salt, Creole or Cajun seasoning, bay leaf, and the 6 cups of low-sodium chicken broth or water. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Prepare for Pressure Cooking: Place the sliced Andouille sausage on top of the mixture without stirring it in. This helps keep the sausage texture intact during cooking.
- Pressure Cook: Lock the Instant Pot lid and set it to Manual or Pressure Cook on High pressure for 45 minutes. This cooks the beans thoroughly and melds the flavors.
- Release Pressure: After the cooking cycle finishes, allow the Instant Pot to release pressure naturally for 15 minutes, then manually quick-release any remaining pressure to safely open the lid.
- Finish and Serve: Remove and discard the bay leaf. To thicken the beans, use a spoon to mash some of the beans against the side of the pot, then stir everything together to combine. Serve the bean mixture hot over cooked white rice. Garnish with chopped green onions or a splash of hot sauce if desired.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the Andouille sausage and substitute vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- To achieve creamier beans, mash more of the beans after cooking.
- Soaking the beans overnight before cooking can reduce the pressure cooking time to 30 minutes.
