Instant Pot Red Beans And Rice Recipe

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If you’re looking for a fantastic rice recipe that packs a punch, then you have to try Instant Pot Red Beans And Rice. Made with andouille sausage, red kidney beans, and rice, this Instant Pot Red Beans and sausage rice dish is so delicious! It comes out perfectly tender every…single…time!

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Is Red Beans And Rice Healthy?

Red beans and rice is a highly nutritious dish, made from red kidney beans and andouille sausage. This nutrient-dense food has many health benefits, including promoting heart health, regulating blood sugar levels, boosting energy levels, aiding in digestion, and improving overall cognitive function.

If you’re looking for a healthy way to enjoy your favorite comfort food, be sure to try this delicious Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice recipe!

How Many Calories In Red beans And Rice?

The calories in red beans and rice will depend on the ingredients you use, as well as portion size.

In general, a single serving of red beans and rice is around 400-500 calories, making it a great option for those looking to maintain or lose weight.

To reduce the calorie content of your dish, try using less andouille sausage, or substituting white rice for brown rice.

You can also use low-fat or fat-free ingredients, such as low-fat creole seasoning and reduced-fat sausage!

Is Red Beans And Rice Gluten Free?

Red beans and rice is a gluten-free dish, as it does not contain any gluten ingredients.

If you have celiac disease or are allergic to gluten, be sure to check the ingredients of your seasoning and sausage before preparing this dish.

Why We Love Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

Red beans and rice is a traditional Louisiana Creole cuisine. It is usually made on Mondays with red beans, vegetables, spices and whatever leftover pork was made on Sunday (such as a smoked ham hock). We love this delicious creole cajun cuisine and here’s why:

1. It’s so easy. After cooking up the sausage, you add everything together and let the Instant Pot do the work. You don’t have to be a master chef to make this meal.
2. Simple ingredients. Every ingredient you need for this recipe can be found at your local grocery store, so you won’t be searching high and low for anything.
3. Packed with flavor. With onions, peppers, garlic, cajun seasoning, and sausage, this dish is bursting with spicy and savory flavors that will have you grabbing seconds.

Do I Have To Soak Beans Overnight?

No, you do not have to soak the beans overnight before making this recipe.

Many people choose to quick-soak their beans by adding them directly to boiling water for about 10 minutes, instead of soaking them overnight.

This method is just as effective in softening your red kidney beans and saving you time. However, for this Instant pot Red beans and rice dish, there is no need to soak the beans at all.

Instant Pot Red Beans And Rice Ingredients

The best part about this recipe is you can double it and have leftovers for the next day that you can use as another meal or lunch. Get out your shopping list and jot these ingredients down!

• 1 Pound Sausage: I used turkey sausage as a healthier alternative, but you can use andouille or smoked sausage as well.
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil: I used olive oil, but you can use butter or any oil for sautéeing your food.
• 1/2 Cup Diced onions: I like to use sweet onions for this dish because it adds another layer of flavor.
• 1/2 Cup Bell pepper: Red bell peppers work best for this dish, but you can use green bell pepper or, yellow, or orange peppers as well.
• 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic: If you don’t feel like chopping and mincing a garlic clove, grab the jar of already minced garlic for less prep work.
• 1 Pound Red Kidney Beans: You will need a 1-pound bag of dried kidney beans.
• 6 Cups Broth: I used chicken broth, but you could also use beef or vegetable broth. Use low-sodium broth for a healthier alternative.
• 2 teaspoons Cajun Seasoning
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 Teaspoon Pepper
• 2 Cups Rice: You’ll serve this overcooked rice. You can use your Instant Pot to cook the rice, or you can get Success Boil in A Bag Rice for a quick and easy option.

How To Make Red Beans And Rice Instant Pot Style

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make Instant Pot Red Beans And Sauage Rice

Step 1: Sauté The Sausage In Instant Pot

Hit the sauté button on your Instant Pot. Add the olive oil and begin cooking the andouille sausage until it begins to brown. Remove it, and set it to the side.

Step 2: Sauté The Veggies In Instant Pot

Add more oil to the Instant Pot and add the onions and bell pepper. Cook the veggies until they become soft or about 3 minutes. Once the onion and bell pepper are soft, add the garlic.

Step 3: Deglaze the Instant Pot

Once the veggies are cooked, use a wooden spoon and some water to scrape any particles from the bottom of your pot.

Step 4: Add Beans, Chicken Stock And Seasonings To The Pot

Next, add in the kidney beans and chicken stock and stir. Next, add in the thyme, cajun seasoning, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir.

Step 5: Pressure Cook Beans And Sausage

Close the Instant Pot lid and put the sealing valve in the sealing position. Set the pressure cook button to cook on high pressure. Set the time for 1 hour and 20 minutes pressure cook time.

Step 6: Quick Release Beans

Once the time is up, do a quick release by turning the sealing valve to the venting position.

Step 6: Remove the Bay Leaves and Mash

Once the steam has been released, open the lid and remove the bay leaves. Then, use a potato masher and smash the beans about 6-7 times to release the flavors.

Serve over hot cooked rice and enjoy!

How Do I Make Rice In The Instant Pot

This recipe makes the bean soup mixture, but you can make rice in your Instant Pot as well. The rice needs to be cooked separately if you want it to turn out right.

Learn How to Cook Instant Pot Rice, Here! it’s super easy!

Why Cook Rice Separately?

There are a few reasons to cook your rice separately. The first is that the cooking times for Kidney beans and rice are completely different and you’d send up with mushy rice if you cooked them together. Secondly, you need a lot of water for cooking kidney beans and rice and this would mean overfilling the Instant Pot which is not a great idea.

Are Red Beans and Kidney Beans the Same?

No, these are two different types of beans. Red beans are smaller and rounder than kidney beans, kind of like pinto beans, but red. However, both beans can typically be used interchangeably in recipes that call for red beans. Cooking beans has never been easier with the Instant Pot.

Can I Use Other Meat With This Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Recipe?

Yes, you can use other types of meat with this recipe. If you don’t like andouille sausage, you can use smoked sausage or bacon instead. You can use a ham hock, or smoked turkey.

Can Instant Pot Red Beans And Rice Be Vegetarian?

If you prefer vegetarian recipes, skip the meat altogether and make Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice without any meat at all. The possibilities are endless!

Are There Any Substitutions I Can Make In This Recipe?

Yes, there are a few substitutions you can make in this recipe. If you don’t have red bell peppers, then green bell peppers will work just as well. The same goes for fresh garlic, you can use jarred minced garlic instead.

Additionally, if you don’t want to use chicken stock, you can use vegetable broth or beef broth instead. You can also substitute other types of rice, like brown rice or basmati rice.

Can I Substitute Red Beans With Black Beans?

Yes, you can substitute red beans with black beans. Just keep in mind that the cooking times may differ, so you’ll need to adjust accordingly if you choose to use black beans instead of red beans.

Instant Pot Black Beans generally take around 25 minutes. Be sure to check our black beans recipe if you plan to use this type of bean instead.

Can I Cook Red Beans And Rice On The Stove Top?

If you don’t have an Instant Pot and want to make this recipe on the stovetop or in the oven instead, that is possible as well! Just follow the same basic steps, use a stockpot or dutch oven instead of an Instant Pot, and adjust your cooking time accordingly.

With so many different ways to make this delicious, satisfying recipe, you can enjoy it any way you like!

Can I Use Canned Beans In This Recipe?

No. This specific recipe is meant to be cooked with dried Kidney beans. If you wish to use canned beans then the cooking time would be completely different along with the amounts of liquid.

Cooking canned beans is a quick and easy recipe and would only require 1/2 a cup of broth and 5 minutes of high-pressure cooking time.

How To Store Red Beans And Rice

To store this dish, let it cool to room temperature before transferring the mixture to an airtight container. You can keep the dish in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can You Freeze Red Beans And Rice With Sausage?

Yes, you can freeze red beans and rice with sausage. To do so, let the prepared dish cool to room temperature and place in an air-tight container.

You can store this Instant Pot red beans and rice recipe in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the dish overnight in the fridge and reheat as needed.

With so many different ways to enjoy this dish, you’ll never get tired of it! Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just making dinner for yourself and your family, the Instant Pot makes mealtime easier than ever.

What Goes With Red Beans And Rice?

Wondering what to serve with red beans and rice? Here are some of our top suggestions:

• Cornbread
• Coleslaw
• Garlic bread
• Salad
• Asparagus
• Instant Pot Monkey Bread
• Steamed Vegetables
• Hawaiian Rolls

How To Thicken Red Beans And Rice?

If you find that your red beans and rice is a little too thin, there are several ways to thicken it.

Some ways to thicken this dish include cooking down the liquid until it has thickened, using a cornstarch slurry, or adding a bit more rice.

Just be sure not to overcook the dish if you are using a thickener, as the dish will lose its flavor and texture.

Remember to keep stirring the liquid or use a whisk to make sure that everything is thoroughly combined.

And of course, always taste your red beans and rice before serving to check if it needs any additional seasoning or thickening.

With just a few simple tweaks, you can have delicious and healthy red beans and rice dish every single time!

Can I Add Hot Sauce To This Dish?

Yes, you can definitely add hot sauce to this dish. If you like it extra spicy, try adding a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to enhance the flavor.

Many people also like to add things like cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to balance out the flavors and make the dish more flavorful.

Just be sure to taste test as you go and stop adding extra spices once the flavors taste just right to you. Enjoy!

Can I Add Creole Seasoning?

Yes, you can add creole seasoning to this dish if you like. Creole seasoning tends to have more spicy and flavorful ingredients than cajun seasoning, so it may be a better choice for this delicious recipe.

Can Dogs Eat Red Beans And Rice?

While there are some potential health benefits to feeding your dog red beans and rice, it is not recommended that dogs eat this food. Some of the ingredients in red beans and rice can be harmful to dogs, such as kidney beans, which contain a toxin called phytohaemagglutinin.

Additionally, foods like sausage can be high in sodium and other ingredients such as garlic are dangerous for dogs.

You can of course give your dog plain rice as a treat or rice with healthy vegetables and a little chicken stock.

Other One Pot Recipes to Try

Looking for more recipes like this Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice? Here are a few of our favorites:

• Instant Pot Carnitas Rice Bowl
• Instant Pot Gumbo with Sausage and Shrimp
• Chicken and Rice in the Instant Pot
• Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper with Rice

More Instant Pot Recipes To Try

Looking for more recipes like this Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice? Here are a few of our favorites:

• Instant Pot Carnitas Rice Bowl
• Instant Pot Gumbo with Sausage and Shrimp
• Chicken and Rice in the Instant Pot
• Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper with Rice