Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice is an authentic New Orleans recipe that will be very popular at your next gathering or family dinner. Made with andouille sausage and ham hock, this red beans and rice recipe is simple yet so flavorful!
At the top of any New Orleans cuisine lover’s list would probably be Gumbo, Jambalaya and Red Beans and Rice. I’ve already posted Instant Pot recipes for the first two, so if you’re a fan of those recipes I think you’re going to love this Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice recipe. And if you haven’t yet checked out those recipes, you need to!
So I’ve mentioned before on my Instant Pot Jambalaya post that I have this little Chez Helene cookbook in my possession that has authentic New Orleans recipes. And I don’t remember where or when I got it! I’ve adapted this recipe from that book and am super pleased with the results.
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Tips and substitutions
If you’re like me and you often forget to soak your beans overnight, have no fear! Use the Instant Pot Quick Soak method for dried beans and you’ll have the equivalent of soaked beans in about 30 minutes.
Smoked ham hock or ham shank adds a delicious smoky flavor. It should be available in your grocery store meat case and is really worth seeking out. The original recipe from the cookbook also offers the option of using pickled pork, which I’ve never tried.
Andouille (pronounced ‘ahn-doo-wee’) sausage is a spicy sausage. You can find it raw or smoked – you need to buy the smoked kind. If you can’t find smoked andouille sausage, substitute any smoked sausage and add some extra spice if you want to.
The beans you use in this recipe are small red beans. These are different from red kidney beans. If you can’t find them in the dry beans aisle of your grocery store, try the Hispanic food section. If you still can’t locate them, use red kidney beans preferably Camellia brand red kidney beans. And no canned beans, please!
You have a couple of choices for the spices: the recipe calls for cayenne pepper and salt. But you can substitute a Creole or Cajun seasoning for the cayenne and salt. I like to use Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning. You could also omit the spice and serve hot sauce on the side.
If you’re new to the Instant Pot
and aren’t familiar with how to use it, please read the Instant Pot DUO Beginner’s Quick Start Guide or the Instant Pot ULTRA Beginner’s Quick Start Guide first and then come back here to learn how to make this Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice.
Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Ingredients
How to Make Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice (Step-by-Step Instructions)
- Soak the red beans overnight or use the Instant Pot Quick Soak Beans Method.
- Instant Pot DUO: Select the ‘Saute’ function.
- Instant Pot ULTRA: Select the ‘Saute’ function and press ‘Start’.
- Once the Instant Pot is hot, add vegetable oil to inner pot.
- Saute andouille sausage until browned (about 5 to 8 minutes).
- Remove sausage with a slotted spoon to a medium bowl and set aside.
- Add onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic to the inner pot.
- Saute vegetables till onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add thyme, cayenne, salt, black pepper and stir to coat, about 30 seconds.
- Add 1/4 cup of broth to deglaze, scraping up all brown bits.
- Add remaining broth, bay leaves, soaked small red beans and ham hock.
- Stir to combine.
Instant Pot DUO Pressure Cook:
- Close the lid and make sure steam release handle is in ‘Sealing’ position
- Press ‘Manual’ (or ‘Pressure Cook’) and ‘+’ or ‘-‘ until display reads ‘30′ (30 minutes).
Instant Pot ULTRA Pressure Cook:
- Close the lid.
- Select Pressure Cook mode and adjust time to 30 minutes (00:30).
- Press ‘Start’.
- Instant Pot display will change to ‘On’.
- Once the Instant Pot is pressurized, the float valve will go up.
- The display will count down from 30 to 0; it will then switch to ‘Keep Warm’ mode and display ‘L0:00’ or ’00 00′ and begin to count up.
- Allow the pressure to release naturally (NPR). The float valve will be in the down position. This may take 15 to 30 minutes.
- Press ‘Cancel’ and open the Instant Pot.
- Remove the ham hock and chop into bite-size pieces. Discard bone.
- Remove about 1 cup of beans to a small bowl and mash with a fork.
- Return chopped ham hock, mashed small red beans and sausage to the inner pot.
- Stir everything and cook in ‘Saute’ mode.
- Allow the Instant Pot Red Beans to thicken to desired consistency, about 5 minutes.
- Serve over Instant Pot Rice and garnish with chopped green onions and parsley.
Authentic Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 lb andouille sausage cut into slices
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 1 cup bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 Tbsp garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or to taste
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 1 tsp black pepper or to taste
- 4 cups chicken broth or water
- 2 large or 3 small bay leaves
- 1 lb small red beans soaked overnight or quick-soaked, drained
- 1 smoked ham hock or ham shank
- 4 green onions chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
- Cooked rice to serve (about 4 cups)
Instructions
- Select 'Saute' mode and allow the Instant Pot to heat up.
- Add oil to inner pot of Instant Pot.
- Add andouille sausage, and cook until browned, about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a medium bowl and set aside.
- Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Stir until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper and stir to coat, about 30 seconds.
- Add a few tablespoons of broth to deglaze the inner pot, so there's nothing stuck to the bottom.
- Stir in remaining broth, bay leaves, red beans, and ham hock.
- Close the Instant Pot and pressure cook for 30 minutes.
- Allow for a natural pressure release (NPR) and open the Instant Pot.
- Remove the ham hock, chop into bite-size pieces and set aside.
- Remove 1 cup of beans, and mash with a fork.
- Return ham hock, mashed beans and reserved andouille sausage to the inner pot, and stir well.
- Select 'Saute' mode and allow the Instant Pot Red Beans to thicken, about 5 minutes.
- Serve over Instant Pot Rice and garnish with green onions and parsley.
- Serve hot sauce on the side (optional).
Video
Notes
- Prep time does not include steps that are already accounted for in the ingredient list, e.g. chopped onions, minced garlic, sliced sausage, etc.
- Substitute cayenne pepper and salt with Creole or Cajun seasoning, to taste.
- Andouille is a spicy smoked Cajun sausage. If you don't have access to it, substitute it with a Spanish chorizo or kielbasa.
- See the blog post for more detailed recipe tips
Nutrition
I am not a certified nutritionist. I provide my best estimate of nutritional information merely as a courtesy to my readers. If you depend on nutritional information for dietary or health reasons, I suggest using your favorite online nutrition calculator to confirm the nutritional value of this recipe based on the actual ingredients that you use.
If you loved this recipe, please give it a 5 Star rating in the comment section below and please share it on social media using the social media share buttons at the top and bottom of this post. Thank you so much!
You might also like to try these Instant Pot Recipes:
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| Instant Pot Gumbo | Instant Pot Shrimp and Grits | Instant Pot Jambalaya |
Bill
Excellent recipe! Tastes way better than the stuff out of the box. Love your site!! Next time I will probably up the ham hock from 1 to 3 because I didn’t get much meat off of 1, but it certainly imparted some flavor.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Bill – Awesome, so glad you liked it. I think you could definitely up the ham hock. I love the flavor!
Richard Craig
The Small red beans that U speak of for this Recipe, would that be the same a Pinto Beans that so may Mexican Recipes call for?
we have just got out IP, before be had a Regular stove top 6 qt. Presto Pressure Pot, we mostly used it for doing Potatoes, we Love Your Bolg
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Richard, the small red beans are frequently found in the found in the Mexican/Latin section: labeled ‘small red beans’ or ‘frijoles rojos pequenos’ – Goya brand is common. You could use kidney beans but you’ll have to cook them for a bit longer. Thank you for visiting the blog – I too own a Presto from 20 years ago, still works. However, I haven’t touched it since I got the IP! I hope you enjoy your’s like I do!
S W Seip
These were good. I live in New Orleans so I have my own seasoning but with standard well-soaked beans the cook time of 30 mins is spot on. I let them sit about 5 mins then released pressure. Then let them sit on sauté while I warmed the rice. They were just the way I like them!
Paint the Kitchen Red
What a great comment from someone who lives in New Orleans – thank you for taking the time to comment and I’m so glad you liked the recipe!
Gail M
I love how thorough your instructions are!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thank you Gail – I know how confusing the Instant Pot can be for newcomers, so I try to always put detail in my posts!
Alan
I made this last night and it was delicious. I wasn’t able to find the creole seasoning, but I did find Cajun seasoning and used that. I put in 1 teaspoon and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. I was also not able to find ham hocks, so I started with 3 slices of bacon, after the fat was rendered I took it out and browned the andouille sausage. I also added kielbasa so I browned it next. and followed the recipe the rest of the way as written. I took extra care to make sure the fond was all scrapped up with the vegetables. I had soaked the small red beans 12 hours in salted water.
Came out great. I will be making this regularly.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Alan, thank you for your comment and for letting us know your substitutions. I’m glad you loved the recipe as much as I do.
Wes
This came out great.
Adjustments: I skipped the ham hock. I blended about two cups of the blender. I quick soaked the beans in the IP first.
Results: Served with rice. Really delicious. Blending a portion of the beans really creates a richer experience. For those with kids, I thought the heat factor was perfect but my kids (5, 7) thought it was a bit too spicy and would have eaten more if it was less spicy. This may have been a result of the brand of sausage I used.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Wes, thanks for sharing your modifications. I think blending is a great idea; I can see how it would be really creamy.
Bettina
Yummy! I added a little more creole seasoning and blended the beans. Definitely a keeper.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thanks Bettina – I do like to add extra creole spice if my kids aren’t eating it 🙂 I’m happy to hear you like the recipe.
Babineaux
Wow! From a Louisiana Cajun who’s lived in New Orleans, this was AWESOME! Thank you! It did. It need a thing added. We added corn bread and loved every bite!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Woo hoo! Thank you so much for the kind words. I am so glad you liked it.
Mimi
Do u use high pressure or low pressure on the instapot?
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Mimi – all my recipes are high pressure unless otherwise stated. That’s the case for most recipes you’ll find on the internet.
Monica
Cooking instructions were perfect! I tweaked it a bit using my own traditional recipe (used a beer for part of the liquid). I ended up transferring it to a big pot on the stove to finish during the saute part, but that was only because I wanted to make rice in the instant pot. I also drained off some of the liquid, but that’s because I like RB really thick.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thank you Monica! I’ve never used beer in my Red Beans recipe before. I might try that next time! Do you ever blend some of the beans to thicken it?
John
I’ve tried several recipes for red beans and rice (both slow cooked and pressure cooked), and made this one today – this is hands down my favorite! Used an extra ham hock (my grocery store sells them in packs of two), and added some creole seasoning, otherwise followed exactly. Perfect! I always say red beans and rice tastes better the second day, and this was better day one than anything else I’ve made on day two. If that makes sense. Already looking forward to the leftovers tomorrow!
Paint the Kitchen Red
I’ve had someone else mention putting in more ham hock, and I say there’s no such thing as too much – love the flavor! Thank you, John, for such a glowing review of the recipe – you’ve made my day!
Ivy Carter
This recipe is top notch!!! Absolutely delicious and authentic red beans and rice, the best I’ve had since my Cajun Pawpaw was alive. We followed the recipe exactly, but did the offered substitution of Cajun seasoning instead of cayenne pepper and salt. We also added dried chives and parsley during the pressure cooking portion, instead of adding fresh green onions and parsley at the end, and did dried red kidney beans instead of small red beans. My only note for this recipe is that I would not recommend leaving the skin from the ham hock in the mixture. The simmering process isn’t long enough to completely render the fat, so you end up with half-melted pieces if they’re not chopped small enough.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Ivy, thank you for your detailed comment, especially sharing your substitutions and tip about ham hock. I’m always most excited when a Louisianan loves my Cajun and Creole recipes. So glad you liked the recipe 🙂
Laura Mandel
After we ate our Christmas ham for several days there was too much to toss but it was definitely time to reinvent the wheel. This recipe popped up,
I only had to pick up a few ingredients since i had celery and onion left from the holiday, followed the directions almost exactly, and yummmmmm! I had leftover beef broth so I used 3 cups of that , one cup of water, and added a spoon of chicken stock concentrate. It turned out so delicious. I like things spicy so next time may add extra Cajun seasoning. I think the meaty ham bone really helped make the dish. There was sooo much good ham to chop and add to the pot!Will definitely
make this whenever I serve a bone-in ham, it’s
very easy and economical and it’s great to make
use of the ham bone.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Laura – awesome! I know it’s traditional to include a ham bone, but I’ve never done that. Great to know. Thank you for your detailed comment – I’m sure it will help someone else!
Ken Thompson
I’m going to try this tomorrow. I’ve always done my rice, sausage, and beans stove top but now that I have an IP, why not use it?
Two things… I’ve always used pinto beans rather than red beans. I’ve had it both ways. Not much difference, really.
The best possible addition to this dish is your left over ham shank from Thanksgiving or Christmas.
We leave the bone with a lot of meat on it and all that soft, chewy ham, and the sausage really kicks it up a notch! The ham will add some salt so go easy on adding salt to the pot. You can always add salt at the table.
Note: Honey Baked hams don’t work well in this dish. Too sweet!
A loaf of French bread or a pan of cornbread, some cold beer and you got yours real meal.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Coincidence: I just had another reader comment about using a ham bone too! Thank you for sharing your tips and hope you enjoy the recipe!
Lauren Elliott
Yum! I love everything about this recipe. Very authentic!
Terence
Came out great! As much as I love Paul Prudhomme’s recipe, this Instant Pot recipe is now my go to recipe for rb&r. Needed around 20 minutes more total cooking time due to time to pressurize and depressurize. 5 stars!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thanks, Terence! I do love this recipe! I’ve made Paul Prudhomme’s recipe too – it’s good too.
Francis
Wow, delicious added some crystal hit sauce to finish off. Licked the bowl
Paint the Kitchen Red
Francis, I have been in the mood to have me some RB&R too. I have some ham hocks in my freezer I need to take out tomorrow 🙂 Thank you for your comment!
Micah
Best red beans and rice, from a lifelong Louisianan. I mainly looked at the recipe to see how long to cook the red beans in the IP. The 30 minutes cooking time was perfect. They were already so creamy when I took the lid off and stirred them I didn’t blend or mash any beans. The seasonings and veggies in this recipe are pretty close to what I normally use. This is a great recipe. Thank you!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thanks Micah! I’m always excited to get a good review from a Louisianan 🙂
Lydia
This is one of the best dishes I’ve ever prepared! It was absolutely delicious! I substituted smoked turkey tails (3) and turkey kielbasa for the pork, and even though I love pork I can’t imagine this dish tasting any better than it did. Thank you so much for sharing! I’m looking forward to trying more recipes from your site!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Lydia, thanks for the lovely comment! I’m so glad to hear that you liked the recipe. I’ve never made it with turkey, so thanks for sharing. The ham hock adds a lot of great flavor so next time, give that a try 🙂
April
Simply delicious! The quick soak was awesome. I’ll be making this again soon
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thanks for the comment, April. I’m so glad to hear you liked the recipe!
Stacy Fisher
Thanks for recipe. I do recommend you add that the you set it to high pressure. I had to scroll through to find your pictures and see what you did. There is more than one option for pressure and can make a difference in cooking. Other than that, it is awesome!!!!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Stacy, I do mention the high pressure in my ‘About’ page but I think it’s time to state it on the recipes. I will put it on my to-do list to change my recipe cards when I’m updating the recipes. I’d never gotten that comment before but recently you’re not the first to suggest that. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
Ross
Thank you for the wonderful recipe.
It was easy to make and delicious. I made it exactly the way you laid out the recipe.
This will be going into my rotation of recipes now.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thanks, Ross. One of my favorites too!
Jordan
I just got an instant pot and wanted to make red beans and rice. Your recipe sounded good, so I figured I would give it a shot. Not even kidding you, this is literally the most delicious thing I have ever made myself, and I typically consider myself a good cook.
WOW. Will make a thousand times again. Thank you!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thank you, Jordan – that’s such a wonderful comment! I do love this recipe too.
JOHN BEAUGEZ
Amazing!!!! I am from the Mississippi Gulf Coast and this is a taste of home.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi John, that’s a great comment. I’m always happy to get positive press from the Gulf Coast 🙂
Tallulah
Disaster! Beans were still hard after 30 mins so I added more liquid and processed for another 30. Beans still hard…liquid all absorbed. Scorched on the bottom. What a waste. I’ll stick to the stove top.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Tallulah, I’m sorry you had a bad experience. I’ve made this recipe so many times as have many readers with no issues. Could the beans have been old? Old beans have a hard time cooking all the way. Did you soak the beans? Did you substitute any ingredients or change the recipe in any way? Was your Instant Pot sealed properly? These are just some possible issues.
Blaire
This was outstanding! We only had dried kidney beans so I used your IP quick soak @ 8 min. Then instead of S&P I subbed 2tsp of creole seasoning. Otherwise followed your recipe to a t, and it was awesome. Thank you!!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thank you Blaire! I love to sprinkle creole seasoning in there too!