Name: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Cajun Beans and Rice Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium yellow or white onion (diced); 1 sweet bell pepper (diced); 3 ribs celery (trimmed and diced); 2 carrots (peeled and diced); 7 cups chicken (vegetable, or beef broth); 1 package Hurst Beans Cajun 15 Bean Soup rinsed and sorted; Seasoning packet included in the soup mix; 3-5 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon thyme leaves; 2 teaspoons cumin; 2 bay leaves; 2 cans diced green chilis; 1 pound smoked ham shanks; 1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes; salt and pepper to taste; 4-6 cups hot cooked rice; Optional hot sauce (pickled jalapenos, cheese, cilantro, or sour cream for serving)

Instant Pot or slow cooker Cajun beans and riceis going to become a quick family favorite all winter long! This delicious beans and rice recipe is simple and oh so satisfying!

MySausage Black Bean and Pumpkin Soup,Hearty 15 Bean Soup in the Instant Pot, andOne-Pot Sausage, Rice, and Peas Dinnerare other hearty, flavorful dinners to fill you up and warm your belly this winter! Beans and rice are such versatile foods that there are tons of great ways to prepare them into a dinner the family will love.

beans and rice in a white bowl with a bags of hurst's cajun 15 bean soup bean mix and green onions on the side

Instant Pot / Slow Cooker Cajun Beans & Rice

This recipe was SO much fun for me to develop. I’m new to my Instant Pot, but I’m starting to really like it. Cooking in it is a lot of fun because I’m having to work and think about the recipes. It’s like learning a new cooking skill which I love. I made this recipe many times getting it just right (ask my neighbors and friends – they all tried it!) and I’m so proud of how it turned out. This Cajun beans and rice recipe is made usingHurst’s HamBeens Cajun 15 Bean Soup Mixand I’m working with them today -such a great Indiana-based company I have been using for years.

What’s great about this beans and rice recipe is that you can make it in either the slow cooker or the Instant Pot which means that you have no excuse not to make it! The beans are cooked to perfection in just 45 minutes of cooking time in the Instant Pot and about 8 hours in the slow cooker. Both are great options. The beans are a little thicker than soup and seasoned with all kinds of veggies, smoked ham, and broth and then served over rice. This is a great, inexpensive meal to make all winter long and I’ve included lots of tips and tricks on how to make it a few different ways.

Here’s why I’m excited to be working withHurst’s Beanstoday. Hurst’s is a 4th generation family-owned company that is based out of Indiana (I was raised in Indiana and consider myself a Hoosier through and through), and they’ve been a brand that has been in my cupboard, my mom’s cupboard, and my grandma’s cupboard for years and years. I grew up loving the 15 Bean Soup Mix, and their products are ones I use and know well. I’m so excited to be working with them today. They grow their beans in the US and Canada (yay!), and the flavor packets really are just seasonings in a convenient little package. They are gluten-free and vegan and have no added MSG. This is a great brand, and I can’t wait for you to bring them into your own kitchen if you haven’t already.

two bowls of beans and rice topped with chopped green onions on a white and green towel

What ham cuts can I use?

Smoked ham shanks are a bit unusual but they are great! They are an inexpensive cut of meat that gives this dish a ton of flavor. Ham hocks are a similar cut that tend to be more meaty (and a little more expensive). Whichever you get, make sure they are smoked; that’s where all the flavor comes from.

What can I top this meal with?

You can add a lot of fun toppings like hot sauce, sour cream, or pickled jalapenos to this dish. Toppings are what make my children try something new, so if beans and rice is new to your family give them topping options to encourage them to try it.

How can I make this dinner ahead of time?

This dish can sit in the Instant Pot on the “keeping warm” setting for a long time. It’s a great one to make in the middle of the afternoon and just let it sit in the Instant Pot until you are ready to serve. The same thing works with the slow cooker, set it to keep warm and let the smells fill your kitchen until dinner.

Do you have to soak your beans before using?

No! They cook just fine without soaking. You can if you’d like, though – simply soak them in water overnight or for 8 hours before using. If you soak your beans, reduce the broth in the recipe by 1 cup (from 7 cups to 6 cups).

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf ofHurst’s Beans. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make Rcova possible.

Here are a few other recipes I made with Hurst’s Beans that you’ll love:

More Instant Pot Dinners:

This post was originally published in 2017 and has been updated in November 2019.

Cajun Rice and Beans in the Slow Cooker or Instant Potis an easy and quick recipe perfect for a winter evening and adding some extra flavor to dinner.