Instant Pot Rice and Beans

You can make Instant Pot Rice and Beans recipe tonight! With dried black beans, no soaking, no sauteing, in 30 minutes flat. Bam!

Instant Pot chicken and rice and Instant Pot chili are other favorite rice, bean recipes around here.

Pressure Cooker Beans and Rice

OK, this healthy Instant Pot rice and beans recipe is a weeknight dinner saver! It’s like Instant Pot black beans meet Instant Pot brown rice and cook together in one pot in 22 minutes.

There is barely any chopping required and I will “slap your hands” if you soak the beans. Just like with Instant Pot baked beans, I repeat, you do not need to soak!

And don’t even think about sauteing the onion. Food cooked under pressure comes out more flavorful than cooked on the stovetop. Sauteing is not necessary with Instant Pot, in most cases.

Just like you can cook chicken, rice and beans at same time when making chicken burritos.

Are you ready to have healthy dinner on the table in 30 minutes?! P.S. Browse all healthy healthy Instant Pot recipes.

Instant Pot Beans and Rice Ingredients

This delicious Mexican inspired Instant Pot black beans and rice consists of simple ingredients, mostly pantry staples similar to Instant Pot white chicken chili:

• Brown rice
• Dry black beans
• Canned diced tomatoes
• Onion
• Spices: Cumin, chili powder, garlic powder and salt.
• Fresh cilantro

How to Make Instant Pot Rice and Beans

1. Add All Ingredients to the Instant Pot

1. It is super important to add Instant Pot rice and beans ingredients in the following order to the bottom of the pot: onion, brown rice, black beans, water or vegetable broth, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, salt and diced tomatoes.
2. Do not change.
3. Do not stir.

2. Cook for 22-25 Minutes

• Close the lid, turn pressure vent to Sealing position and press Pressure Cook on High pressure for 22 minutes.
• Instant Pot will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure.
• You can chop cilantro or make cucumber and tomato salad in the meanwhile. It goes amazing with this Instant Pot rice and beans.
• Release pressure using Quick Release method by turning valve to Venting and open the lid.

What If Rice Came Out Mushy or Crunchy?

When it comes to rice cooked in a pressure cooker, it’s a little bit of trial and error method for everyone. Sometimes different varieties of brown rice cook differently. Also rice could be old.

I always use long grain brown rice and buy one brand. Last time my husband bought different brand and it needed maybe 1 more minute cooking. Once you find “your rice” you will know how long it cooks and you can add extra minutes.

If your rice comes out crunchy: Stir, close the lid and let it sit for 20 minutes. It will get there. Also, next time cook Instant Pot rice and beans for 25 minutes and let pressure come down on its own. It could be the altitude or rice and beans brand.

Unfortunately, you can’t re-close the lid, cook for extra 2 minutes and say that’ your new cooking time. You have to try recipe from scratch again to find your rice cooking time.

If your rice comes out mushy: Cook a few minutes less next time. Easy-peasy.

Can I use Natural Release?

You can use Natural Pressure Release where remaining pressure subsides on its own. You can pre-program this recipe and dinner can wait for you on the counter when you get home. Since Instant Pot keeps cooking while releasing pressure slowly, consistency might be a bit more soft. Which is not a big deal. It’s a hearty recipe anyways.

3. Add Cilantro and Stir

• Stir gently. Don’t “attack” Instant Pot rice and beans recipe with a wooden spoon at 100 miles per hour. Husbands are known for that. Stir gently.
• I see some liquid. My beans are “dry”. Don’t panic, just stir. Stirring should take care of extra liquid. If beans or rice is a teeny weeny crunchy, close the lid and let sit for 10 minutes. It will get there.
• Don’t forget to add a small bunch of finely chopped cilantro. It changes everything!

FAQs and Substitutions

Cooking in a pressure cooker is a trial and error method. I test Instant Pot recipes thoroughly because different kinds of rice or beans require different cooking times, for example. For best results, I recommend to follow the recipe.

Below I hope to cover all possible questions about variations and substitutions for Instant Pot rice and beans recipe.

What to Serve Instant Pot Rice and Beans With?

Serve on its own with a dollop of sour cream, squeeze of fresh lime juice on top of the rice and tortilla chips.

• Baked chicken breast – lean juicy protein on a side.
• Baked chicken thighs – affordable chicken never tasted so good!
• Cucumber and tomato salad – we love the pairing of hearty rice and beans with cool and fresh veggie salad.
• Guacamole – classic, only 5 ingredients, so easy and so much flavor (there is a trick)!
• Air fryer nachos: As a healthy side dish to or even loaded on these cheese air fried nachos!
• Steamed vegetables – Adding vegetables makes these into healthy burrito bowls!

How to Make a Freezer Meal

Instant Pot rice and beans are perfect for meal prep. In a gallon size Ziplock bag, add all ingredients except water finishing with tomatoes on top. Let as much air out as possible, seal and freeze for up to 3 months.

Pressure cook beans and rice in Instant Pot on High pressure from frozen (don’t forget to add water) for 22 minutes with Quick Release.

More Rice and Beans Recipes

• Mexican rice and beans with zucchini – great for using up an abundance of zucchini.

More Healthy Instant Pot Recipes

• Instant Pot cabbage rolls – same flavour but without hours spent in the kitchen. Genius!
• Instant Pot chicken wild rice soup – delicious creamy soup without cream!
• Instant Pot jambalaya – one pot weeknight or Sunday dinner.
• Instant Pot taco soup – healthy soup with pantry staples.
• Instant Pot chicken tortilla soup – this classic soup tastes even better now!