This Easy Red Beans and Rice recipe is flavorful, filling, and comes together fast in the Instant Pot — no soaking required! It’s a budget-friendly family favorite that combines smoky sausage, tender red beans, and perfectly cooked rice in one pot. This is a very popular smoked sausage meal idea.
Plus, I’ve included stovetop instructions and spice level tips to make it your own. You can make it with dry or canned beans, on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot, with white or brown or pretty much any kind of rice you like.
I’ll share with you my recipe for Easy Red Beans and Rice, which uses dry beans and the Instant Pot, but I’ll give you the easy instructions for variations in case you need them.
Recipe Shortcut (Shh!)
Here’s one of the best tricks I have up my sleeve: I cook the beans and rice together. Yep! I know you aren’t supposed to do that but it WORKS – and it works just fine for red beans and rice because the result is a delicious, saucy one-pot meal that the whole family will love.
Alternative to the Instant Post
If you won’t be using an Instant Pot, you can adapt this recipe easily by using canned red beans or by following the package directions for pre-soaking dry beans.
The bag usually has at least two methods: soak overnight or quick-soak. You can use either one; just make sure the beans are mostly tender before you start following the recipe instructions.
Note About Spiciness
My husband and I love spicy food, and although this recipe is spicy, it’s what we’d call mild to medium. If you prefer a milder dish, you should reduce or leave out the peppers, cayenne, and hot sauce. If you love spicy food too, then add even more of those ingredients or serve with extra hot sauce on the side.
Easy Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
Recipe Info
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes (plus 15–20 min natural release)
Total Time: ~45 minutes to 1 hour
This recipe makes generous portions and is perfect for leftovers — the flavor deepens overnight! Store in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop.
Ingredients for Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
- 1 pound dry red beans
- 1.5 cups uncooked brown rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1 stalk of celery, chopped
- 1 tomato, chopped or 1 can diced tomatoes (optional)
- 1 serrano pepper, diced small (optional)
- 3-4 slices jarred jalapeno, finely diced (optional)
- 2 cups tomato juice
- 1 cup broth
- 3-4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder (or 4 to 8 cloves fresh garlic, minced)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon sage
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 2-3 bay leaves
- 1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced or chopped
- Red hot sauce (like Louisian Hot Sauce or Chohula), to taste
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instant Pot Directions
- Rinse the dry red beans and brown rice. Drain and add to the stainless steel insert of your Instant Pot.
- Add chopped vegetables and smoked sausage to the pot.
- Pour in the tomato juice, both, and enough water so that the liquid is about two inches above the level of the beans and rice. Be sure not to pass the Max Fill line on your IP.
- Add all seasonings and give everything a good stir.
- Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 20 minutes.
- Allow the pressure to naturally release for 15-20 minutes.
- Open the lid, remove bay leaves, and taste. Adjust seasonings if needed.
- Serve with optional hot sauce.
Stovetop Instructions (Alternative Method)
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can still enjoy this dish! Use canned beans or pre-soak your dry beans following the package instructions (overnight or quick soak).
- Cook rice separately on the stovetop according to package directions.
- In a large, tall pot, combine soaked beans, cooked rice, and all vegetables, seasonings, and smoked sausage.
- Add enough water or broth to cover the beans and rice by about 1 inch. Stir together.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook for about 20–30 minutes to ensure the flavors are fully developed, stirring occasionally.
- Adjust seasoning and serve hot!
Recommended Tools
This site participates in some affiliate programs, which means I may earn a small commission – at no cost to you – if you purchase through my links.
Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart – A kitchen staple. I use mine all the time! [Affiliate Link]
Cuisinart Chef Knife – I have the santoku and it works great for everything I need. [Affiliate Link]
Pin this for later or share with someone who could use a comforting, easy dinner idea!
“This easy Instant Pot red beans and rice recipe is a cozy one-pot dinner made with dry beans, brown rice, and smoky sausage — no soaking required! Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or freezer meals. Budget-friendly, flavorful, and family approved!” RedBeansAndRice #InstantPotRecipes #OnePotMeals #BudgetFriendlyMeals #ComfortFood #FamilyDinner
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