Prepare your JAMAICAN RICE AND PEAS using your Instant Pot for perfect rice every time, you can literally walk away and return with authentic INSTANT POT JAMAICAN RICE AND PEAS!
My husband recently bought me an Instant Pot and it is a huge game-changer for me! It has cut down my preparation time and I have the peace of mind that I can walk away from the pot and don’t have to worry that I’m going to ruin my dish.
I was wondering what was the big deal about Instant Pot and now that I have one, I’m wondering why was I second-guessing! It reminds me of having a smartphone, I’m wondering how I survived without one!
For those who haven’t take the plunge in purchasing one, you can still make the recipe the traditional way with this Jamaican Rice And Peas Recipe.
It is delicious served with my Jamaican Jerked Cauliflower recipe.
How To Make Instant Pot Jamaican Rice And Peas?
The recipe is so easy, I presoaked the beans overnight after sorting them and washing them in a colander.
The next morning, I drained the beans, rinsed them and put them in my Instant Pot with water and pressure cook them for 8 minutes on high pressure using the manual setting.
After the 8 minutes has finished, allow steam pressure to naturally release for about 20 minutes, you leave the valve closed and allow the pressure to decrease naturally.
I have also used the quick release method, by opening the valve, turning it from sealing to venting and allowing the steam to release quickly. When the Instant Pot is depressurized,
the float valve will drop and the lid will be able to unlock to open. Until the pressure is released and the float valve dropped, the pressure cooker will not open.
Next, I added all the remaining ingredients to the Instant Pot and set it manually to cook for 22 minutes.
Back home in Jamaica, we refer to kidney beans like peas, hence the name.
Traditionally rice and peas recipe is eaten every Sunday for dinner. Using dried kidney beans that are soaked the night before and freshly squeezed coconut milk.
Thyme, the herb of choice, and scotch bonnet pepper are added to the pot whole for flavor. Be careful not to open the pepper, because it is extremely hot.
What To Serve With My Rice And Peas?
Instant Pot Curry Jackfruit And Potato
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Categories
- Categories: Gluten-Free, Vegan
- Course: Side Dish
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
(Per portion)- Energy: 265 kcal / 1108 kJ
- Fat: 8 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbs: 42 g
Cook Time
- Preparation: 20 min
- Cooking: 30 min
- Ready in: 50 min
- For: 15 servings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups dried kidney beans, or 2 cans of kidney beans
- 3 cups water
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 14 ounce can of coconut milk
- 3 cups long grain brown rice, washed and drained
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 Scotch Bonnet pepper, or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Sort kidney beans removing any debris, rocks or damaged beans, wash and drain kidney beans in a colander. If using can kidney beans, drain beans and skip to 4
- Place kidney beans in a large bowl and cover with water, making sure that there is enough water for the kidney beans to double in size (about 2 inches above beans). Let the beans soak for at least 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans after soaking and rinse using a colander.
- Place kidney beans in the Instant Pot and add 3 cups of water, cover instant pot securely and make sure to turn the valve to 'sealed' position. Manually set Instant Pot to cook beans for 8 minutes at high pressure. When the timer goes off, use the natural release method, do not open the valve and allow the pressure to release naturally.
- Meanwhile, sort and wash rice, using a fine mesh strainer and set aside. Remove lid, add onion, green onion, garlic, ginger, coconut milk, rice. Stir to fully incorporate rice with all the other ingredients. Add allspice, thyme, salt and stir again. Add Scotch bonnet pepper or cayenne pepper. *If using canned kidney beans, add them along with 2 cups of water.
- Close lid securely, turn the valve to the sealed position. Manually set Instant Pot to cook rice and peas for 22 minutes at high pressure
- When the timer goes off, allow steam pressure to naturally release for about 20 minutes, turn the sealing knob to venting to release the remaining pressure. Remove lid and discard Scotch bonnet pepper, fluff rice and its ready to serve.
Notes
I spent a while looking for a Jamaican rice and peas recipe specifically using BROWN rice and an instant pot and was about to give up and try to adapt my own until I find yours. WOW, so good. I soaked my beans for 3 days (to try to extra make them more digestible …) and everything turned out perfectly with the water ratio + level of doneness of the rice. My last few brown rice attempts haven’t turned out so good so I was impressed with how perfectly it cooked. I made it with your jerk cauliflower recipe which was amazing – I actually used the jerk sauce from your separate post for it rather than the one in the cauliflower recipe and it was delicious. I’m glad I took the time to add the extra step for breading the cauliflower (I contemplated skipping) as it was so yummy. Will definitely be a repeat! Thank you!
Caroline, I’m so happy you found my recipe. I’m so happy you enjoyed it. I appreciate your feedback.
Hi Michelle, if using canned beans do you drain them ?
Yes Naomi, you can drain and rinse or use low sodium if you want to have a reddish color.
This recipe is on repeat for me!
That is so awesome, thank you Tracy.
Delicious and so flavorful! Family absolutely loved this dish! Will be making again. Texture and flavor was amazing! Thank you!
I don’t normally comment on food blogs but this was legit. Made this today and wife went crazy over it. Halved everything including liquids and still cooked for 22 mins. Really really good. Spicy and flavorful.
Bobby, I’m so happy you and your wife enjoyed it, thank you for your feedback.
I followed your recipe and the flavor is great but the texture is a little mushy. Is that to be expected?
Keturah, should not be mushy at all. Did you use brown rice?
Loved this recipe! My wife and I have tried a bunch of your recipes and every one is 5 stars! Thank you for these.
Dan that is awesome, I’m so happy you and your wife enjoy my recipes, thank you for sharing your feedback.
how long if you use canned beans with brown rice? Is it still the full 22 minutes?? HELP
Yes it will still be the 22 minutes because that’s the time for the brown rice to cook.
Thank you…I love your recipe and have been using it (dry beans) for a year now… I never stayed in the kitchen to learn how to cook rice and peas…lol
Dry beans take too long…thanks again!!!
Delicious!!
I’ve tried several rice and peas recipes and this is my favourite. The others weren’t from Jamaicans so I’m not surprised. Love how easy the instant pot is.
Paul, I’m so happy you enjoyed it. I once catered for a large event and a Jamaican Chef who attended had to come and personally meet me, he said the food was outstanding especially the rice and peas. Thank you for your feedback.
I will so have to make this, clean the instpot out and make some Jamacian jerked pok to serve over it. Than once all put together on a plate, add some Habernero hot sauce on top and eat it
Palladini, go for it, whatever floats your boat!
Thank you so much. It seems very authentic but why not use turmeric? If so how much?
Shannon, no one in Jamaica traditionally makes rice and peas with turmeric, my grandmother never, nor my mom. So it won’t be authentic but I don’t see why you can’t add it for its immune-boosting benefits. I’m Jamaican born and bred so It’s authentic as you will get.
Thank you. I’m gonna give it try and can’t wait.
I don’t have an instant pot what should I do ?
This recipe is for an instant pot, here is one for the stove top https://healthiersteps.com/recipe/jamaican-rice-and-peas-recipe/