Vegan Instant Pot Mexican Rice and Beans
User Reviews
4.9
Vegan Instant Pot Mexican Rice and Beans
Description
The Vegan Instant Pot Mexican Rice and Beans recipe begins with soaking pinto beans overnight or using a quick soak method for softened legumes. The Instant Pot is used for efficiency by first sautéing onion and bell pepper with salt until translucent, then adding garlic and aromatic spices for a flavorful foundation. Adding water deglazes the pot, preventing burning while lifting fond from the bottom.
Soaked beans and brown rice are stirred into the spiced vegetable base, followed by crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce layered on top. Care is taken not to stir the tomatoes down to the bottom of the pot, which helps prevent sticking to the heating element while pressure cooking. The combination simmers under pressure, cooking the beans and rice thoroughly while infusing them with a warm blend of spices.
After cooking, fresh lime juice and finely chopped cilantro are stirred in for acidity and herbal brightness. This dish offers a balanced vegan meal with tender beans, fluffy rice, and flavor derived from traditional Mexican seasonings. The recipe's use of the Instant Pot simplifies preparation by combining multiple steps into one pot without losing depth of flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pinto beans soaked for 8 hours or overnight, 165-175g dried
- 1 tablespoons olive oil or neutral cooking oil of choice
- 1 onion diced, small; red variety
- 1 green bell pepper diced, small
- 4 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt plus more to taste
- black pepper freshly cracked, to taste
- 4 cups water
- 1 ½ cups long-grain brown rice 270g
- 1 (15-ounce) crushed tomatoes 425g can
- 1 (8-ounce) tomato sauce 227g can
- ½ lime juiced
- ½ cup cilantro finely chopped, fresh
Instructions
- Place the beans in a large bowl and cover with plenty of cold water. Soak for 8 hours or overnight, then rinse and drain the beans. Alternatively, use the quick soak method described here.
- Sect the Sauté setting on the Instant Pot and let the pot heat up for a few minutes before adding the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and bell pepper along with a pinch of salt and cook until the onions are translucent, 3-5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, tossing frequently to prevent burning.
- Add the spices, salt, and pepper, and stir frequently until very fragrant and the vegetables are well coated with the spices, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the water to deglaze the pan, using a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Add the soaked and drained beans, along with the brown rice, and stir well.
- Pour the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce on top and gently stir (don’t stir the tomatoes down too much, or they might sink to the bottom and block the Instant Pot’s heat sensor, causing it to burn).
- Secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select the Pressure Cook setting at high pressure and set the cook time to 12 minutes.
- Once the 12-minute timer has completed and beeps, allow a natural pressure release for 15 minutes and then carefully switch the Pressure Release knob from Sealing to Venting to release any remaining steam.
- Stir in the lime juice. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper as needed and garnish with the cilantro.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 483 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 483kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 90g | 30% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Sodium | 437mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 963mg | 20% |
| Fiber | 12g | 48% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 373IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 24mg | 27% |
| Calcium | 114mg | 11% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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