How to Make Haitian Red Beans and Rice in the Instant Pot

Last Updated on December 16, 2021 by Chef Mireille

Haitian Style Rice and Beans made in a fraction of the time in the Instant Pot still has the same authentic taste as the old fashioned stove top method.

This is a staple dish in Haitian homes, eaten daily.

When I was a child, my parents would put the beans to soak overnight every night before they went to bed. Then either in the morning or after work, the beans would have to be boiled.

Only after the beans were boiled, which took usually about an hour, could the rice and beans be made.

Now, cooking time is reduced to just 15 minutes in the Instant Pot plus natural release.

But before we get to this easy healthy recipe integral to Haitian Cuisine, don’t forget to check out my other Haitian Recipes to complete this meal.

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This Haitian Style Red Beans & Rice is not a just a staple of Haitian Cuisine but is uniquely delicious. So what makes it cuisine? The cloves give this Rice & Beans Recipe a unique flavor profile.

A typical meal could include this Haitian Rice and Beans Recipe with Poulet en Sauce (Stew Chicken) and Banane Peze (Fried Green Plantain) with Pikliz on the side.

If you want to go all out, you can make Haitian Style Orange Cake for dessert.

Are you new to the Instant Pot?

I am. I only just got it in December and am only getting used to making my foods in the Instant Pot. I have the Instant Pot Duo which is Instant Pot and Air Fryer in one and I am really loving it now.

As I am a big seafood fan especially in summer, fried fish and making seafood in the Air Fryer is so quick and easy, not to mention a fraction of the calories without the oil needed in stove top methods.

So today I am presenting my first Instant Pot recipe here for all of you who own one…and get ready for some more Instant Pot Recipes and Air Fryer Recipes.

Is all Haitian Diri Ak Pwa (Rice & Beans) the same?

No. One of my pet peeves is when people tell me there is only one way to make traditional Haitian Recipes or traditional recipes of any culture for that matter.

Every person when they cook adds their own little twists or maybe they just don’t like an ingredient. Whatever the reason, there is always variation among traditional recipes in every country. 

Ask 10 people from Trinidad to make curry chicken and I guarantee you are going to have variation in ingredients and methods.

So what are the common variations when making Haitian Red Beans and Rice?

Recipe Variations

• Rice – Most people would probably use white rice. However, I grew up in a health conscience home with a nurse as a mother. Therefore, we always used parboiled brown rice. The brown rice adds more protein and fiber, however, by using parboiled rice the cooking time is the same as cooking white rice.
• Coconut Milk – Some people would replace 1 cup of the water when cooking the rice with coconut milk. However, in my family this version was reserved for special occasions like holidays. For everyday rice and beans, we cooked the rice with only water.
• Scotch Bonnet Pepper (Habanero) – 1 whole habanero pepper is often added to the rice to add a gentle spice to Haitian Rice and Beans. However, I prefer not to use it as it may overpower the other dishes you might serve with your Instant Pot Haitian Rice and Beans. 
• I only use the Scotch Bonnet when it’s a Vegetarian night and I am using this Haitian Diri Ak Pwa as the main course of the meal. As Rice & Beans are a complete food, you can serve this Haitian Style Rice & Beans as dinner for Meatless Monday.
• Beans – Although kidney beans are the most common beans used when making Haitian Rice & Beans, black beans or pinto beans may also sometimes be used. You can also make Haitian Black Beans and Rice, if you prefer.

 We also make Rice & Peas, where we cook it the same way, but use pigeon peas instead of red kidney beans or black beans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipe Notes

• The most important step is to wash the rice. The rice should be washed at least 2-3 times. This washes away the starch, ensuring the separate grains that characterize Haitian Style Red Beans and Rice. If you don’t like sticky rice, this is going to be your new favorite way of making Rice and Beans.
• If you would like to make this recipe even faster, you can use canned beans and then just follow the directions to make the rice.
• If using coconut milk, use canned coconut milk. Do not use tetra pack coconut milk. Learn the difference between coconut milks here.

How to Make Easy Red Beans and Rice in the Instant Pot?

It only takes a few ingredients to make the most delicious rice and beans to include as part of your weekly meals.

Ingredients:

• kidney beans
• garlic
• oil
• Haitian Epis
• parboiled brown rice (Uncle Ben’s Converted Rice is my favorite brand) or jasmine rice
• cloves
• bouillon powder (or 1 bouillon cube)
• Salt
• coconut milk (optional)
• Scotch Bonnet pepper (optional)

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• Clean rice very well at least 3 times. This is very important to remove the starch to ensure separated grains of rice.

• Cook beans in the Instant Pot for 10 minutes (if you pre soaked the beans), using natural release.

• Strain the beans, reserving the liquid the beans were cooked in.
• Saute epis seasoning.
• Add washed rice, cloves and bouillon powder.
• Saute for a few minutes to evenly coat the rice with the spices.

• Add beans, reserved cooking liquid and salt.
• Cook in the Instant Pot for 4 minutes, using natural release.

• Fluff with a fork and adjust salt, if necessary.

Perfect Rice & Beans with separate grains.

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