Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice

Make lovely cumin-scented, Cuban inspired Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice in a fraction of the time of traditional methods! One of the best black bean recipes you'll make in your Instant Pot.

Jump to:

• What Makes This Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice Recipe Incredible?
• How Do You Make Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice?
• Why Does This Beans and Rice Recipe Use Brown Rice?
• Do I Have to Soak Black Beans?
• Can I Use Canned Black Beans?
• Tips and Tricks for Making Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice
• Want more Instant Pot Beans Recipes?
• Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice

What Makes This Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice Recipe Incredible?

• Quick. This dish is a spin on a Cuban Moros y Cristianos recipe done in a fraction of the time. It's simplified for #ruthlessefficiency, but still comes out with all the flavors you'd expect from the dish.
• Flavor. This is one of those dishes that literally explodes with flavors in your mouth. You can't have Cuban-inspired cooking without crazy good flavors!
• Simple. Besides soaking the beans and a quick one-minute saute, this is a very simple pour and cook recipe. Perfect for any day of the week.
• Vegetarian. Meatless Monday? Vegetarian family member coming to visit? This recipe is perfect. It's meat-free, but still packs plenty of protein from the beans and will leave your guests full. If you want to add meat to this, you could always serve it with my Instant Pot Pulled Pork Carnitas for a little Cuban/Mexican fusion!

How Do You Make Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice?

• Heat. Turn the Instapot on SAUTÉ HIGH. Add oil.

• Saute. When the oil heats, add onions, garlic, green pepper, and jalapeño. Sauté for 1 minute to soften vegetables.

• Spices. Add cumin, oregano salt, tomato paste, and bay leaves.

• Rice and Beans. Add brown rice, beans, and water and stir.

• Pressure Cook. Press CANCEL to turn off Sauté. Press PRESSURE COOK and cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 35 minutes.

• Pressure Release. Allow the pot to release pressure naturally. Do not rush this as you need time for the beans and rice to absorb any remaining water.
• Finish. Garnish with cilantro, if using, and serve.

Why Does This Beans and Rice Recipe Use Brown Rice?

To cook black bean recipes properly in the Instant Pot, you need at least thirty minutes. White rice only takes about four minutes at high pressure to cook, so it would be impossible to cook them together at the same time.

A traditional Cuban Black Beans and Rice recipe actually cooks the rice and the beans separately so that the rice is white and the beans are black.

Since I wanted to cook this in one step instead of two, I mixed them together in my Instant Pot, used brown rice instead of white, and came up with this lovely Cuban-inspired dish that's my signature lazy/efficient way of cooking.

Do I Have to Soak Black Beans?

If you're wondering how to cook black beans in the Instant Pot, and are unsure of the soaking step I mentioned in the recipe, don't skip it.

Soaking the beans for even an hour in hot water ensures they will cook in a much shorter time frame under pressure, so you're not left with chewy beans at the end of the cooking style.

Can I Use Canned Black Beans?

No, you can't. That is unless you want black bean mush, which I assure you, you don't. Canned black beans are already very soft, and will overcook in the Instant Pot.

Use dried black beans for this Black Beans and Rice recipe. Not only are they cheaper, but the flavors and texture will be much better too.

Now if you really really want to, you can use canned beans--but then you must use white rice, reduce water to 1.25 cups, and cook for 4 mins HP and 10 mins NPR.

You cannot use dried black beans with white rice, and you can't use canned black beans with brown rice.

Tips and Tricks for Making Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice

• Scared of the heat? Eliminate the jalapeno, or reduce the amount used for less spice.
• If you don't have time to soak the black beans overnight, simply soak them for an hour in hot water before cooking.
• Don't forget to remove the bay leaves at the end of pressure cooking. They're good for infusing flavor, but not so much for eating.

Want more Instant Pot Beans Recipes?

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• Instant Pot Pinto Beans - the easiest recipe you will LOVE.
• Pressure Cooker Baked Beans - if you've never made your own, you need to start!
• Instant Pot Refried Beans - so easy to make and SO much better than canned.
• Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice - make these at the same time in your pressure cooker and you'll never make it another way again.

Whether you're new to Cuban-inspired food, or this is your first time, you're going to fall in love with this Instant Pot Black Beans and Rice recipe! It's the perfect side dish, or meatless main course. Don't forget to pin it on Pinterest or share it on Facebook so you don't lose the recipe.

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Don't forget to check out my other Best-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!

Indian Instant Pot, Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy, Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot.