Cajun Red Beans & Rice (or Quinoa)
This Cajun Red Beans & Rice recipe brings the bold and comforting flavors of Louisiana to your table with minimal effort. Made with wholesome ingredients like red beans, onions, bell peppers, and Cajun spices, this dish is plant-based, gluten-free, and oil-free. Perfect as a hearty main course served over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice, this dish is a healthy twist on a Southern classic. Ready in under an hour, it’s ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Equipment
- Instapot
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of dried red beans rinsed
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper adjust to taste
- Salt and black pepper to taste approx. 1/2 tsp salt & 1 tsp black pepper
- 8 cups of vegetable broth you can adjust the amount to your desired consistency
Instructions
- Rinse the dried red beans and remove any debris. Place them in the Instant Pot.
- Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, celery (or simply use frozen seasoning blend), garlic, bay leaves, dried thyme, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to the Instant Pot.
- Pour 8 cups of vegetable broth into the Instant Pot.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Cook on high pressure for 45 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 15 minutes. After that, carefully release any remaining pressure manually.
- Open the Instant Pot and remove the bay leaves. Use a spoon to mash some of the beans against the side of the pot if you prefer thicker broth.
- Enjoy the Cajun Red Beans with Quinoa, Rice or Cauli-rice.
Notes
Helpful Hints-
• Time-Saving Tip: Use a frozen seasoning blend (onion, celery, and bell pepper) to save prep time.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Spice Level: Adjust cayenne pepper to your preferred level of heat.
Nutrition
Serving: 4gCalories: 220kcalProtein: 11gFat: 1gFiber: 10g
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