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Easy Creamy Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Recipe for Perfect Comfort Meal

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A quick and creamy red beans and rice recipe made in the Instant Pot, delivering comforting, smoky flavors with minimal fuss. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dried red kidney beans (or 3 cans, drained and rinsed for shortcut)
  • 12 oz andouille sausage, sliced (or smoked turkey sausage for lighter option)
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter for dairy option)

Instructions

  1. If using dried beans, rinse 1 ½ cups red kidney beans thoroughly and soak in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. If short on time, rinse and proceed without soaking but expect longer cooking time.
  2. Turn Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode and heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery; cook about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Add sliced andouille sausage and minced garlic. Sauté 3-4 minutes until sausage is browned and garlic fragrant, watching to avoid burning.
  4. Stir in smoked paprika, cayenne, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Add 1 cup long-grain white rice and mix well to coat rice with spices and oils.
  5. Drain soaked beans and add to pot along with 4 cups chicken broth and 2 bay leaves. Stir gently to combine without overmixing.
  6. Seal Instant Pot lid and set to ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ on high for 35 minutes if beans were soaked; 45 minutes if unsoaked. Allow natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
  7. Open lid carefully, remove bay leaves, and stir gently. If too thick, add a splash of broth or water. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions or fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Soaking beans reduces cooking time and improves digestibility. Deglaze pot after sautéing to avoid burn notices. For extra creaminess, mash some beans against pot side before serving. Adjust cayenne pepper to control spiciness. Can use canned beans with reduced pressure cooking time (about 10 minutes).

Nutrition

Keywords: red beans and rice, instant pot, comfort food, creamy beans, andouille sausage, easy dinner, pressure cooker recipe, gluten-free, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/easy-creamy-instant-pot-red-beans-and-rice-recipe-for-perfect-comfort-meal/