Black Beans & Brown Rice cooked in the Instant Pot using the pot-in-pot method. An easy, wholesome meal which is also vegan and gluten-free.

Recipe Snapshot

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 40 minutes
  • Total time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Recipes
  • Cuisine: Kitchen notes

Ingredients

Beans

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes (I use the one with herbs)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 cup black beans (210 grams, soaked in warm water for 2 hours)
  • 1.5 cups water (12 oz)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 2-3 tablespoon chopped cilantro
  • lime juice

Brown Rice

  • 2 cups brown rice (390 grams)
  • 2.5 cups water (20 oz)
  • 1 teaspoon oil (optional)

Method

  1. Soak black beans in warm water for 2 hours. After 2 hours, drain the water and set the beans aside.
  2. Press the saute button on your Instant Pot. Once it displays hot add oil and then add onion and garlic.
  3. Cook for 3 minutes until onions are softened.
  4. Stir in the can of tomatoes, add cumin powder, smoked paprika, oregano, 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder, cayenne pepper (if using).
  5. Cook for 3-4 minutes until tomatoes and spices are well cooked. Add soaked beans, water, salt and mix well.
  6. Place a trivet inside your IP. Place a container (which would fit into the IP) filled with brown rice on top of the trivet.
  7. Add water, oil (optional) to the rice container. Cover the container with lid or aluminium foil. Close the pot with its lid.
  8. Press the manual or pressure cook button. Cook on high pressure for 22 minutes, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and then do a quick release.
  9. Open the pot carefully, fluff the rice with a fork and remove the rice container.
  10. Remove trivet and then press the saute button. Mash some of the beans (optional), add cilantro, simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add remaining 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder. Adjust spices to taste. Also squeeze in some fresh lime juice.
  11. Serve rice and beans with avocado slices.

Kiyaan Singh’s Kitchen Note

Keep this recipe as a working base: cook once as written, then adjust spice, texture, and serving style for your own table.