Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
• 1/4 stick of butter
• 2 cups chopped seasoning blend (onions, celery, green bell peppers, parsley flakes)
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 (1-pound) package Red Kidney Beans
• 6 cups water
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• Cajun seasoning to taste
• Hot cooked rice

1. Press the Sauté button on the Instant Pot, and add oil to pot. 
2. Add sliced sausage, and sauté for about 5 minutes or until browned.
3. Remove sausage to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve.
4. Add 1/4 stick butter to Instant Pot, along with chopped seasoning blend and garlic, and cook until onions turn soft and clear.
5. Add cooked sausage back to pot, along with the beans, water, and bay leaf. Stir. 
6. Turn Sauté mode off.
7. Cover, twist to lock the lid, and turn the valve to sealing.
8. Press the Manual button and set to 40 minutes at high pressure.
9. When the timer beeps, allow the pressure to release naturally for 20 minutes.
10. Then, turn the valve to venting.
11. Remove lid, and use a spoon or potato masher to mash beans to desired creamy consistency.
12. Add salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning to taste.
13. Serve over hot cooked rice.

Or high pressure cooking and 20 minutes of naturally releasing pressure, then re-secure the lid, seal the vent, and cook for an additional 20 minutes at high pressure.