Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Stew
The ultimate comfort food, Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Stew combines hearty beans and rice with a medley of spices. This easy weeknight dinner is not only delicious but also nutritious, making it the perfect dish for a cozy night in. You’ll want to make this tonight!
Equipment
- Chef's Knife
- Cutting Board
- Instant Pot
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 unit green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 30 ounces red kidney beans, canned, drained and rinsed
- 6 cups vegetable broth, low-sodium
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 15 ounces diced tomatoes, canned, low-sodium, no sugar added
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup brown rice, uncooked
Instructions
- Start by setting your instant pot to the sauté setting. Add olive oil to the pot and allow it to heat up.
- Once the olive oil is hot, toss in the chopped onion, garlic, green bell pepper, and celery. Stir them occasionally for about 5 minutes, until they soften and become fragrant.
- After the vegetables have softened, change the setting to Manual and select high pressure. It’s time to add in the star of the show—red kidney beans. Make sure to rinse and drain them first to remove excess sodium.
- Next, pour in the vegetable broth and stir in the kosher salt, diced tomatoes, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, and ground black pepper.
- Finally, add the uncooked brown rice to the pot. Give everything a gentle stir to ensure even distribution of the ingredients.
- Seal the lid of the instant pot and set the timer for 15 minutes. While it cooks, you can relax or prepare some toppings to serve with your stew.
- Once the timer goes off, let the instant pot rest for 10 minutes to allow the pressure to release naturally. After that, manually release any remaining pressure.
- Carefully ladle the Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice Stew into serving bowls. You can garnish it with some fresh herbs or a squeeze of lime, if desired.
- Enjoy this hearty stew with your favorite crusty bread or alone as a comforting meal.
Notes
If you’re someone who likes to meal prep, this recipe is perfect for you! It stores well in the fridge and even tastes better the next day as the flavors deepen.