Authentic New Orleans Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Tbsp  olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1 lb Andouille sausage cut into slices
• 1 cup onion chopped
• 1 cup bell pepper chopped
• 1 cup celery chopped
• 1 tablespoon garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 1 tsp  black pepper powder or to taste
• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth or water (more for stovetop version)
• 2 bay leaves (large) or 3 small
• 1 lb small red beans soaked overnight or quick-soaked, drained
• 1 leftover ham bone or smoked ham hock
• 4 green onions chopped
• ¼ cup parsley chopped
• Cooked rice to serve (about 4 cups)
• hot sauce to serve on the side

You'll need an Instant Pot for this recipe.

DIRECTIONS

1. Select Saute mode and allow the Instant Pot to heat up.
2. Add oil to inner pot of Instant Pot.
3. Add andouille sausage, and cook until browned, about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a medium bowl and set aside.
4. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Stir until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
5. Add thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper and stir to coat, about 30 seconds.
6. Add a few tablespoons of broth to deglaze the inner pot, so there’s nothing stuck to the bottom.
7. Stir in remaining broth, bay leaves, red beans, and ham hock.
8. Close the Instant Pot and pressure cook on High Pressure for 30 minutes.
9. Allow for a natural pressure release (NPR) and open the Instant Pot.  [Read More: The Different Pressure Release Methods]
10. Remove the ham, chop the meat into bite-size pieces and set aside.
11. Remove 1 cup of beans, and mash with a fork.
12. Return ham pieces, mashed beans and reserved sausage to the inner pot, and stir well.
13. Select Saute mode and allow the dish to thicken, about 5 minutes.
14. Make the rice while the red beans are cooking. Serve red beans over rice and garnish with green onions and parsley.
15. Serve hot sauce on the side (optional).