Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice - Using Dried Beans

sausage

🥗Healthier: turkey sausage

💰Cheaper: smoked sausage

Turkey sausage is lower in fat, while smoked sausage can be more budget-friendly.

white rice

🥗Healthier: brown rice

💰Cheaper: white rice

Brown rice is more nutritious and has a lower glycemic index.

Hit sauté on the Instant Pot and ensure 'normal' is selected.

Add about 1 tablespoon of oil and let it heat.

Add 1 lb of sliced smoked sausage and sauté until browned.

Remove the sausage to a plate or bowl.

If the pot is dry, add a little more oil (about 1/2 tablespoon) and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter.

Once the butter melts, add in 4 stalks of minced celery, 1 large minced yellow onion, and 1 diced green bell pepper. Sauté until the onion begins to soften.

Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and sauté for 30 to 60 seconds, until fragrant but not burnt.

Cancel the sauté function and deglaze the pot with 1 cup of cold tap water, scraping up any brown bits.

Add 2 more cups of water and 3 cups of low sodium chicken stock to the pot.

Add 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme leaves, 3 bay leaves, and 2 teaspoons of Cajun seasoning.

Return the sautéed sausage to the pot along with 1 lb of rinsed and sorted dried kidney beans.

Seal the Instant Pot lid and ensure the venting knob is set to sealing.

Set the cooking time to 50 minutes on high pressure.

After cooking, let the pressure release naturally for at least 20 minutes.

Open the Instant Pot and hit cancel, then hit sauté again to thicken the mixture.

Remove the bay leaves and take out about 1 cup of the mixture to mash it up for thickening.

Mash the beans using a potato masher or food processor, then stir it back into the pot.

Prepare white rice separately (or brown rice) as desired.

Serve the red beans over the rice and garnish with green onions.

Taste and add salt, starting with 1/2 teaspoon, adjusting to preference.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary