This Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice recipe with authentic New Orleans flavor is made with red beans, andouille sausage, and leftover ham bone or ham hock, and is served over white rice. An easy red beans recipe with simple ingredients, it has phenomenal flavor!
Table of Contents
Introduction – A History of Red Beans and Rice
Anyone who’s a fan of New Orleans cuisine would probably have Gumbo, Jambalaya, Etouffee, and Red Beans and Rice at the top of their list. If you’re a fan of any of those recipes I think you’re going to love this Instant Pot ham hock and beans recipe. It is also made with leftover ham bone.
Red beans and rice was originally introduced to New Orleans by Haitians who arrived in Louisiana in the late 1700s. In those days, not just in New Orleans, but all over America, Monday was set aside as laundry day because it took all day to do the laundry!
To feed a hungry household, a large pot of red beans would simmer on the stove all day while the washing was being attended to. The ham bone leftover from Sunday’s ham dinner would be added to the pot for extra flavor.
To this day in New Orleans, red beans and rice is a staple on home and restaurant menus any day of the week, but especially on Mondays.
This easy pressure cooker red beans and rice recipe tastes as though you’ve cooked it for hours on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. The individual ingredients are nothing special or exotic, but put together they make such a simple yet flavorful and comforting one-pot dish.
Although this red beans and rice Instant Pot recipe tastes great the day you make it, it tastes even better the next day. I prefer to make it a day ahead.
This easy recipe calls for soaked dry beans. You can soak the beans the traditional way but I’ve included instructions for quick soaking dried beans in the Instant Pot if you don’t have the time to do pre-soaked beans.
Here are some other New Orleans, Cajun, and Creole recipes you might like to try out!
– Instant Pot Gumbo
– Instant Pot Shrimp Etouffee
– Instant Pot Jambalaya
TIPS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Quick-soaking Dried Beans
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.
Ham Hock or Ham Bone
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.
I always use ham bone left over from Easter or Christmas dinner to make this red beans and rice. Such a great way to get the goodness of the ham down to the last bit!
Sausage
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 Spanish chorizo or Polish kielbasa.
Seasonings
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.
Beans
The beans you use in this recipe are small red beans, preferably Camellia brand. 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 e.g. Goya small red beans.
If you still can’t locate them, use red kidney beans. I’ve had readers use black beans and pinto beans too.
Towards the end, the instructions tell you to remove a small portion of the beans and mash them up. You also have the option of blending the beans in a blender. I have a set of mini blender bowls that I use. You can also use a mini food processor. The end result will be more creamy.
FAQs
Ham hocks add amazing flavor to the red beans and rice. You can omit the ham hock but you can also use smoked ham (cubed), salt pork, or pickled pork.
You can do a few things to make the recipe healthier. Omit the ham hock, saute the sausage and drain the fat completely, use turkey sausage or smoked turkey or omit the meat entirely and add more vegetables.
Yes, you can slow cook in a traditional slow cooker for 10 hours on low heat or 6 hours on high heat. Make sure there’s enough liquid.
Yes, you can substitute cajun seasoning. I like to use Tony Chachere’s cajun seasoning.
Yes, you can double the recipe with no changes to cook time.
Yes, you can use canned beans. You won’t need to pressure cook the recipe for as long. 15 to 20 minutes should do.
Yes, you can put in the (rinsed) dried beans directly and increase the pressure cooking time by 15 to 20 minutes (more if you like the beans to be very soft).
I use a 6 quart Instant Pot but this recipe should work for 8 quart models as written.
It might be too thick to pressure cook some more without getting a burn message. Add more water and finish cooking it on the stovetop. Next time, make sure that the beans are soaked before adding them and increase pressure cook time by 10 minutes, just to be safe.
This recipe can be frozen successfully. You can freeze cooked white rice and beans separately in airtight containers.
I love jasmine rice because of its creaminess. But you can use long grain, basmati, or even brown rice.
If you’re new to the Instant Pot and aren’t familiar with how to use it, you might find it helpful to first read one of the following guides and then come back here to learn how to make this recipe.
- Instant Pot DUO Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot ULTRA Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO EVO PLUS Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO NOVA Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO GOURMET Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO CRISP Beginner’s Manual
Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice – Ingredients
- Red beans
- Broth
- Garlic
- Green onion
- Bay leaves
- Parsley
- Celery
- Ham hock or leftover ham bone
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Andouille sausage
- Cayenne pepper
- Black pepper
- Thyme
- Salt
- Oil
More details in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post
How to Make Red Beans and Rice in the Instant Pot (Step by Step Instructions)
- Soak Beans
- Turn on Saute Mode
- Saute sausage
- Add vegetables
- Add spices
- Add beans and ham hock or ham bone
- Pressure cook
- Natural pressure release
- Shred ham hock and mash beans
- Stir ham and beans back in
- Heat through
Soak the Beans
- Soak the red beans overnight or use the Instant Pot Quick Soak Beans Method.
How to Turn on Saute Mode
- Instant Pot DUO: Select the Saute function.
- Instant Pot ULTRA: Select the Saute function and press Start.
Saute Sausage
- Once the inner pot has preheated, add oil to the inner pot and let it heat up.
- Saute andouille sausage until browned (about 5 to 8 minutes).
- If the sausage browns too quickly, deglaze the bottom of the pot as needed.
Add Vegetables
- Transfer sausage to a medium bowl using a slotted spoon, and set aside.
- Add onion, bell pepper (green or red) celery, and garlic to the inner pot.
Add Spices
- Saute vegetables until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. The liquid released from the vegetables should be enough to deglaze the pan. If it’s not, add a few tablespoons of broth to deglaze.
- Add thyme, cayenne, salt, and black pepper and stir to coat, about 30 seconds.
- Add 1/4 cup of broth to deglaze, scraping up all brown bits.
Add Beans and Ham Hock
- Add remaining broth, bay leaf, soaked small red beans and ham hock or ham bone.
- Stir to combine.
Instant Pot Duo Pressure Cook 30 minutes
- Close the lid and make sure steam release handle is in ‘Sealing’ position
- Press ‘Manual’ (or ‘Pressure Cook’) and ‘+’ or ‘-‘ until the display reads ‘30′ (30 minutes).
Instant Pot Ultra Pressure Cook 30 minutes
- Close the lid.
- Select Pressure Cook mode and adjust the time to 30 minutes (00:30).
- Press ‘Start’.
Pressure Cooking Process (Duo and Ultra)
- Instant Pot display will change to ‘On’.
- Once the Instant Pot is pressurized, the float valve will go up.
- The display will count down to 0; it will then switch to ‘Keep Warm’ mode and display ‘L0:00’ or ’00 00′ and begin to count up the number of minutes since pressure cooking completed.
How to Naturally Release Pressure (NPR) on the DUO and ULTRA
- Allow the pressure to release naturally (NPR). The float valve will be in the down position. This may take 15 to 30 minutes. [Find out more about the pressure release methods and how and when to use them. ]
- Press Cancel and open the Instant Pot.
Shred Ham Hock and Mash Beans
- Remove the ham hock and chop it into bite-size pieces. If using a ham bone, get as much meat as possible from the bone and chop it. Discard bone.
- Remove about 1 cup of beans to a small bowl and mash with a fork or potato masher.
Stir Ham and Beans Back in
- Return ham, beans, and sausage to the inner pot.
Heat Through
- 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.
Stovetop Directions for Red Beans and Rice
To make this red beans and rice recipe on the stovetop:
- Soak rinsed beans overnight in a large pot of water.
- Saute sausage and reserve.
- Saute onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic in oil.
- Rinse the beans. Combine beans, vegetables, seasonings, ham bone or ham hock, and broth and simmer for 2 1/2 hours
- Shred the ham and return to the pot.
- Remove a cup of beans, mash, and return to the pot.
- Stir sausage into beans, and continue to simmer for 20 to 30 more minutes.
- Serve over rice and garnish.
See the recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Authentic Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil or 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 powder or to taste
- 4 cups chicken broth or water (more for stovetop version)
- 2 bay leaves (large) or 3 small
- 1 lb small red beans soaked overnight or quick-soaked, drained
- 1 leftover ham bone or smoked ham hock
- 4 green onions chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
- Cooked rice to serve (about 4 cups)
- hot sauce to serve on the side
Instructions
Instant Pot 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 bone or ham hock.
- Close the Instant Pot and pressure cook on High Pressure for 30 minutes.
- Allow for a natural pressure release (NPR) and open the Instant Pot. [Read More: The Different Pressure Release Methods]
- Remove the ham bone or ham hock, chop the meat into bite-size pieces and set aside.
- Remove 1 cup of beans, and mash with a fork.
- Return ham pieces, 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).
Stovetop Instructions
- In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat.
- Saute andouille sausage until lightly browned, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Remove using a slotted spoon and reserve.
- Saute onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic in oil, till the onion is translucent.
- Add thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and stir to coat for about 30 seconds.
- Add beans and enough water or broth to cover the beans (about 6 to 8 cups). Stir in bay leaves and ham bone or ham hock.
- Cover the pot, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook until the beans are tender, about 2 hours. (Old beans can take longer to cook.)
- Remove ham bone or ham hock, chop the meat into small pieces and return to the pot.
- Remove a cup of beans, mash with a fork and return to the pot.
- Continue to cook with the cover off, stirring occasionally, until the red beans appear thick and creamy, about 20 to 30 minutes. At any point, if the pot appears to be too dry, add some more water and continue to cook.
- Serve over rice, with hot sauce on the side. Garnish with green onions and parsley.
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
Thank you for visiting Paint the Kitchen Red. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please don’t use any content without prior written permission. If you’ve made this recipe and would like to share it with your friends, please link back to this recipe. Thank you!
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 five ⭐ 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!
More Cajun Recipes
Delicious New Orleans Instant Pot Gumbo
New Orleans Instant Pot Shrimp Etouffee
Instant Pot Jambalaya
Dawn
This is the BEST recipe for red beans that I’ve ever used. It came out perfectly and was delicious. Thank you so much!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, Dawn! I’m so glad you decided to try out the recipe.
Mandie Caroll
This recipe was so delicious. I am super excited for leftovers. Putting together the recipe is pretty simple, too, and it’s a super affordable dish/serving. However the cook time mentioned is a joke. From start to finish (including the quick bean soak), it took 2.5 hours. Sure it wasn’t all active, but it would really help a busy single mama on a weeknight to know how long that natural pressure release before taking out the ham hock and mashing beans would take (38 min!!!).
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Mandie
The recipe ingredients call for soaked beans (whether quick or not) and that time is not accounted for in the recipe, hence the difference. Sorry about the miscommunication 🙂 but glad you liked it anyway!
Ben
Got an instant pot & wanted beans. I was not expecting it to turn out as amazing as it did. If anyone reads this, I don’t take time out of my day for a recipe review unless it’s deserved and this one is going in the books. Sausage, spice, and beans were less than $10 at wally world. The only thing I did different was use a meaty salt pork instead of a ham hock. I live in the SE, but after everyone started cooking through the pandemic, hocks are harder to find these days. A dash of liquid smoke and it’s just glorious. Thanks!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thank you so much for the lovely comment, Ben! Adding liquid smoke is a great suggestion.
Sarah
Delicious! I use the jennie-o turkey kielbasa and no ham hock because some of my family members do not eat pork. They love this recipe, and it is even better the next day for lunch! Thank you.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thanks, Sarah – I’m so happy you took the time to let me know. Glad to hear you were able to make it without pork and enjoy it.
Stephanie
Your recipe was easy to follow. I’ve had my IP Duo for over a year and this was the “best” use of it thus far. I did cook my beans just a lil longer, and added smoked smoked Ham Hocks I cooked separately. My husband just looved them! So this is the our family’s new “secret” recipe. 😊
Paint the Kitchen Red
Stephanie – thank you so much. Glad you liked it!
Rebecca
I’ve made this recipe before and LOVED it. I wanted to make it again but don’t have the instant pot available 🙁 Do you have cook time recommendations for using a slow cooker/crockpot in lieu of an instant pot?
Paint the Kitchen Red
Rebecca, I would cook it for 8 to 10 hours on LOW. Make sure there’s enough liquid to cover the contents plus 1/2 inch or so.
kc
Loved the recipe – like all recipes I add my own. I added 2 fresh limes squeezed in the rice along with chopped cilantro. I added a fried egg on top and it was rated a 10 for my family. It’s a dish I will definitely make again.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Wonderful! Yes, I’m a big fan of making recipes your own.
Fonda
By Far the best red beans and rice I have ever had.
I have not changed the recipe at all. I use the Tony’s seasoning. I get requests for recipe, and sometimes I do not want to share. Thank you for sharing with us.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Wow, that is such a nice thing to hear, and I’m so happy you like it! Yes, I know what you mean about sharing 🙂 but hearing from readers like you make me glad I did share!
Dale Patterson
made this last night and it turned out just the way I had hoped it would just the perfect amount of liquid using the quick soak method outlined. rather than using broth I simply used the liquid that was left over after the quick soak and adding a little more water to make 4 cups.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Dale, I’m so glad you liked the recipe – thank you for commenting and sharing your experience.
Nick
I just finished two bowl and we’re they delicious. I followed your recipe pretty closely with a few tasty modifications. I smoked a pound of country style ribs and added them whole into the pot. I also used slap yo mamma Cajun seasoning along with ancho and chipotle chili powder and a chopped jalapeño. Once the IP completed the natural release, I pulled the pork ribs and added it back into the pot along with the sausage. Since I knew I wouldn’t serve this wonderful dish with rice, I used four cups of broth and one cup of leftover pork juice I had from slow cooking a pork butt.
I normally share my food with family and friends but not this time. It’s mine. All mine.
Kind regards,
Nick
Paint the Kitchen Red
Hi Nick, you’re so funny 🙂 Thank you very much for sharing your modifications (nice and spicy!) – I’m sure someone will find your instructions very helpful. I’m thrilled that you liked the recipe. One of my favorites – just made it yesterday and having leftovers today.
Geno McKenna
Thanks to you, I am getting great use out of instant pot! Better yet, your diverse ethic recipe choice is outstanding. Like some of your other readers stated, this does make great leftovers. Super easy to make and my entire family loved it.
Paint the Kitchen Red
We’re having leftovers of the red beans and rice today! It’s so great that you enjoyed the recipe.
Dee
Best red beans recipe for Instant Pot I’ve made. I used Tony Chachere’s instead of cayenne & calt, and it was perfect. Also served with Tabasco on the table which is how we had it growing up in Texas, and I think adds a lovely touch to the flavor profile. It’s even better the day after. I look forward to leftovers!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Wonderful – that’s so great to hear. I love this one too 🙂
Mike
Many thanks for this recipe, it was outstanding. I used Zatarains Creole seasoning. This was much better than the stovetop recipe I had been using. It is also way faster than the stovetop version.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Mike, I’m always glad to hear from folks who love this recipe as much as I do 🙂
David
Hi Mike. How much zatarain’s did you use?
Ivy
I can’t stress enough how incredible this recipe is. It’s an old standby of mine now, and I make it once every couple of months, then freeze it (sans rice) in portions to reheat when I need a quick, savory meal. I usually add a jalapeno to the mirepoix, since I like a bit more spice and pepper flavor. I also mash most of my mixture, since I prefer it to be more “saucy”. Thank you for posting these amazing, authentic Creole recipes!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Oh wow! What a nice comment, thank you so much! I’m glad you like the recipe because it’s one of my favorites too – just so comforting 🙂
Darlene
I love your site. You explain how to use the Instant Pot so clearly. I really like all of the photos that you use. My red beans and rice were delicious. Very authentic. The only change that I made is that I used smoked ham instead of a ham hock. Used the bowl method for the rice and that came out very well also.
Thank you so much.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thank you, Darlene! I love this recipe too. If you get a chance to get ham hock, give it a try next time. I hope you get to try out some other recipes.
Rose
Great recipe!!! We love New Orleans red beans and rice and being from the Crescent City, I have made them all my life and for my friends now in Texas. They love them, too! I am a relatively newcomer to the Instant Pot, but tried this recipe and it is right on! I have always pre-soaked my beans so that worked or me. I was so glad to find this IP recipe for a dish we love to share. Thank you so much
I usually use Tony Cachere’s Cajun seasoning, and sometimes cayenne pepper, generally with ham hocks because so readily available, but Andouille sausage is very good!
Cheryl Ann
I loved this so much. I can’t wait for leftovers at lunch tomorrow. I’ve never made beans and rice before. I did substitute smoked turkey sausage for less fat. I also goofed and put the sausage in the Instant Pot. It was fine.
Janet S
Used canned beans and put my rice in with all. Nice and thick. I substituted slap ya momma for cayenne. It was delicious.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Janet, thanks for your comment and I’m very glad that you liked the recipe.
Jeanette B Gilder
You are too kind! Lol
Nick
Hi Janet… how many cans of beans did you use and how long in the IP. Also, did you do a quick or a natural release. If natural… how long
Thanks
Paint the Kitchen Red
Nick, I don’t think she’ll see your question so I’ll take the liberty to reply. 3 to 4 cans of beans would be the equivalent of 1 lb. bag of dry beans. You probably won’t need to pressure cook as long nor will you need as much liquid. I’ve never tried this recipe with canned beans.
Susan
I used 2 cans of drained red beans and smashed 3/4 cup of them. Maybe I could have used 3??) I did NOT put them in the Instant Pot because I was afraid they’d dissolve, so I added them afterwards. It was delicious!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Susan you could have pressure cooked them for a shorter amount of time, maybe 15 minutes.
Valerie C
Love this recipe and have made it a few times! It’s as good as when I spend all day making the Paul prudhomme version. So easy and the husband and toddler love it too! Can’t wait to try more of your recipes.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Thanks Valerie – I really appreciate the comment. I’m glad you liked the recipe.
Zelyna
Good recipe but it needs a lot more seasonings. It turned out fairly bland. I added red pepper flakes, more salt, pepper, and garlic to pep it up a bit.
But we also like things very spicy in this house.
Paint the Kitchen Red
Zelyna, when it comes to spice you are right, it’s subjective. Some of my readers like it spicy and others don’t so it’s better to adjust to your own tastes, which it sounds like you did. Thanks for commenting.
Sonia WIlson
This recipe is AMAZING and 100% approval from my creole-cajun hubby!!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Yay! I am so happy to hear that and thank you for commenting, Sonia.
MelanieLucas
I made this today. I forgot the ham hock, but I had some smoked ham in the fridge. I did cook my sausage and my veggies in my cast iron skillet. This recipe is so good!!!!! I have eaten this many places, including New Orleans. This ranks up there with some of the best. Thank you very much for sharing your recipe!!!!
Paint the Kitchen Red
Melanie – thank you for your comment! I am always so happy when other like this recipe as much as I do 🙂
Denise G
Sometimes to have more ham, i buy a ham steak, chop into bite size pieces. This makes a tasty dinner. Serve cornbread along side.
Paint the Kitchen Red
That’s a great suggestion – thank you for sharing that.