Red beans and rice are a Cajun staple, specifically on Mondays. For me, getting fresh beans cooked on a week night took a lot of planning, and a lot of work! I have done the “boil and soak” method, I have used a slow cooker, and I have even tried cooking them for 5 straight hours. This method is by far the easiest, least time consuming (on my part), and uses the least number of dishes.

This version is by no means perfect, but it usually results in a meal everyone will eat, if not love. I tend to err on the side of under seasoning so feel free to add more to your recipe. I also highly suggest serving your red beans with jasmine rice, pickled banana peppers, and cornbread muffins.

Print Recipe

Instant Pot Red Beans

Keyword: dinner

Servings: 8

Author: Leah Porche, Leah Porche, RDN, LDN

Equipment

• Instant Pot

Ingredients

• 1 lb red beans dry
• 4 cups water
• 2 tbsp oil canola, grapeseed, or olive
• 1 lb smoked sausage sliced
• 2 medium onions diced
• 1 bell pepper diced
• 2 tbsp garlic minced
• 3-4 bay leaves
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 3 cups broth

Instructions

• Add dry beans and water to pot, place lid according to manual instructions.
• Make sure the vent is set to seal. Press the 'BEAN' button, then 'NORMAL,' 'HiGH' pressure button, and set the time for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, chop sausage, onions, peppers, and garlic.
• Allow beans to vent completely, then remove lid.
• Place a colander in the sink, using oven mitts remove the pot insert from the InstantPot and drain the beans.
• Place the pot insert back into the InstantPot, press the 'SAUTE' button, put it on 'HIGH.'
• Add the oil, then the sliced sausage.
• Allow it to brown, cooking for 2-3 minutes, then stir.
• Add onions and peppers, reduce heat to low. Continue to cook for 5 more minutes.
• If things start to stick use the broth to help prevent scorching.
• Add garlic, bay leaves, and seasoning, cook for an additional 2-5 mintutes.
• Add in beans and broth, stir to combine everything. Press 'CANCEL.'
• Place the lid back on the pot, and seal, make sure the vent valve is on 'SEAL.'
• Press the 'BEAN' button, then 'NORMAL,' 'HIGH' pressure button, and set the time for 45 minutes.
• When done allow the pot to vent, then remove the lid.
• Stir and use the back of the spoon to smash the beans to the wall of the pot.
• Serve hot over rice.

Notes

To make this recipe in a slow cooker or crock pot cook the beans in the 4 cups of water for an hour on high or boil them on the stove for 30 minutes, meanwhile chop and sauté your sausage, then onions, peppers, and garlic. Combine the remaining ingredients with your parboiled red beans and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 8 hours. 

To make this recipe on the stovetop boil the red beans for 30 minutes, then move to a strainer, meanwhile chop and sauté your sausage, then onions, peppers, and garlic. Add everything except about half of the broth, to the pot and cook on a medium low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring regularly to prevent scorching, add remaining broth as needed to prevent sticking.