Instant-Pot New Orleans red beans and Rice
New Orleans red beans and rice are a staple of the community. Now you can make one of New Orlean’s classic recipes with ease and in a shorter time, thanks to the instant pot or any pressure cooker. This instant-pot red beans and rice recipe is easy, delicious, and feeds an army.
Instant-Pot New orleans Red beans cooking Tips:
Why do you season Beans at the end?
You’ll notice that I only season my beans at the end. Seasoning at the end helps the spices and herbs coat the beans better. Sometimes adding salt will make the beans toughen during cooking.
In the recipe video, I mentioned onion powder in the seasoning mix, there’s none in it, but it won’t hurt adding it.
How do I make red beans and rice thicker?
By smashing the beans against the wall of the pot to make the beans creamy and thicker. This creamy texture is a crucial technique to making New Orleans red beans. You only need to smash a few of them to achieve this incredible texture.
Is red beans and rice Cajun or Creole?
The Creoles are the reason why the world knows about red beans and rice. You will find red beans and rice in both Cajun and Creole households.
Why is Monday red beans and rice day?
Monday’s became the dedicated day for red beans and rice because in the 1800’s Monday’s were laundry day. Washing clothes in the past was a labor of love, sometimes taking the whole day. Red beans and rice don’t require much attention to prepare. They can cook low and slow the entire day.
Can I make Red Beans and Rice Vegan?
You can make red beans and rice vegan by omitting the beef bacon and turkey necks. Use a vegan sausage as a substitute for the smoked sausage and use a vegan Worcestershire sauce. Worcestershire contains anchovies.
Can you make ahead?
Absolutely! Red beans is one of those dishes that taste better the next day.
Freezer: Instant-Pot Red Beans and Rice: It’s a New Orleans tradition to make a big batch and freeze half of it. After red beans cool, transfer to an airtight container. Place in freezer for 6 months.
Fridge: Instant-Pot Red Beans and Rice: After red beans cool, transfer to an airtight container. Place in fridge for 7 days. (If they last that long.)
Reheating: Instant-Pot Red Beans and Rice: Turn on heat to medium, in a small or medium sauce pan, add red beans, cook until mixture starts to boil. About 10 minutes or less.
Recipe Video:
How do you make red beans and rice from scratch?
- Turn on the heat to medium in a large skillet, add the oil and bacon, cook for 5 minutes, continually stirring until the bacon gets brown and crispy. Remove the bacon, add the onions, bell peppers, and celery, cook for 2 minutes, stirring a few times.
- Add the garlic, bay leaf, and thyme. Add the red beans, turkey necks, sausage, vegetable mixture, Worcestershire, and water to the instant pot. Cover and lock lid, press pressure cook, and set timer for 1 hour 30 minutes. After the timer goes off, remove the lid and stir in the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve beans with a scoop of cooked rice.
Substitution Options:
Smoked Turkey Legs, Wings or Ham = Smoked Turkey Necks
Turkey Bacon, Bacon = Beef Bacon
Do not use canned red beans for this recipe.
what do you Eat with red beans and rice?
Menu Ideas:
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Recipe:
Insta-Pot Red Beans & Rice
Equipment
- Tools:
- Chef knife
- Cutting board
- Large skillet
- Dry measuring spoons
- Liquid measuring cup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 5 strips bacon chopped medium
- 1 large onion chopped medium
- 1 bell pepper chopped medium
- 3 stalks celery chopped medium
- 8 garlic cloves chopped fine
- 2 lbs. Camelia red beans or dark kidney red beans rinsed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dry thyme
- 6 smoked turkey necks
- 2 lbs. smoked beef sausage sliced medium
- 4-5 1/2 cups water
- ¼ cup worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoon cayenne
- To taste hot sauce
- 3 cups rice cooked
Instructions
- Turn on the heat to medium in a large skillet add the oil and bacon, cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly until the bacon gets brown and crispy. Remove the bacon, add the onions, bell peppers, and celery, cook for 2 minutes, stirring a few times. Add the garlic, bay leaf and thyme.
- Add the red beans, turkey necks, sausage, vegetable mixture, worcestershire, bacon and water to the instant pot. Cover and lock lid, press pressure cook and set timer for 1 hour 30 minutes. After the timer goes off remove lid and stir in the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cumin and cayenne. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve beans with a scoop of cooked rice.
I love some red beans and rice, and with this way it was quick fast and very yummy 😋 for my tummy
A perfect combination for sure.
These red beans were the best i ever had. The bacon with tbe holy trinity elevated them to a new level. I love that mo gressy pork was used. Making again real soon.
I’m glad you enjoyed the beef bacon! Most people look at me crazy when I mention it lol
I wouldn’t have even put bacon in my beans. I’ve never heard of anyone in Nola do this, but I’ll give it a try ⚜️
This looks delicious 💓🙌🏽
I loved this. Used for a Saturday wine and dine at my house. It was a big hit
I love a good instantpot recipe. Im not from NOLA but I live here and I also don’t have all Monday to make beans. This is IT!
Yes!!! The instant pot for the win on Red Bean Monday.
I don’t know making red beans and rice could be so easy. Thank you Chef Kenneth
That means a lot to me.
Made this a few times, once in the IP. Family loved it.
Glad the whole family approved!
Chef, as always, you had our stomachs feeling warm and full. The spice level was on point we even through some cornbread on that thang. #deliciousness
Omg, I just got finished and OMG!!!!! Thank you soooooo much!!!!! Its my first time ever making red beans and rice not from a box and it’s so delicious and I LOVE IT!!!!! Its soooo good and I’m not even over exaggerating!!!! TRY IT!!!!
Can you point me to where to get smoked turkey necks…or a good substitute. I’d love to try this recipe! I love red beans and rice!
Hey, I’m not sure where you live so pointing you to a location for smoked turkey necks will be hard. However, please check my substitutions options for great subs.
I cooked this on Monday and it was a hit. Now I can cook some mean red beans but this recipe added a new twist with loads of flavor. Thank you Chef this was awesome!!!!
Do you cook this using high pressure?
I use an instant pot and there’s only one option for pressure cooking. I would guess that if you’re using another pressure cooker high would be best.
I have a 6 quart pot. Suggestions?
Halve the ingredients so they fit in the 6 qt pot.
Made these for the fam this past weekend- and WHEW!!! Amazing! Coming from Houston- with lotsa Nola flare, we’ve had many red beans n’ rice. These were super simple to make in the pressure cooker, and so flavorful!!! My go-to for sure!
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Can you give us a vegetarian/vegan alternative recipe please?
Hi Lauren, please check the substitutions section of the blog for how to make the recipe vegetarian/ vegan.
Hi Kenneth!! I’m making this tomorrow. I don’t have my instant pot out, I believe it’s a 6 quart. I have (2) of everything. Sausage and beans., I’ll just add (1) of everything. I’m hoping it will be h good.
Not to be rude, but you never mention in the directions when to add the bacon….
Hi, you add the bacon once you add the red beans to the pot.
Laissez les bons temps! We just harvested our first ever crop of kidney beans, and while hunting for a good inaugural recipe, my husband came across this. Having lived in NOLA in the 80s, it’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed red beans and rice. So not only was the dish perfectly delicious, it brought me back home to the Bayou! We made it vegan, using a dash of liquid smoke (wah… no bacon), a few more table spoons of olive oil, a couple tablespoons of Roast Garlic Better than Bouillon added to the water, and a Field Roast sage and garlic celebration roast. So easy a sooooo good! Thank you!
Love to hear it! Especially the vegan version!