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You can absolutely make beans in an Instant Pot, and it’s honestly one of the easiest and most reliable ways to cook them from scratch.
Whether you’re wondering if you can make beans in an Instant Pot for the first time or you’ve been hesitant to ditch the canned versions, the answer is a resounding yes.
The Instant Pot takes all the guesswork out of bean cooking, giving you creamy, perfectly tender beans without soaking or babysitting a pot on the stove.
When you make beans in an Instant Pot, you’re not just saving time, you’re also unlocking deeper flavor and better texture than anything from a can.
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make beans in an Instant Pot, covering everything from soaking methods to cooking times for different varieties.
We’ll also share tips to avoid common pitfalls, so you can make beans in an Instant Pot with total confidence every single time.
Let’s dive right in and get those beans cooking.
Why You Can Make Beans In An Instant Pot So Easily
The main reason you can make beans in an Instant Pot so easily comes down to the science of pressure cooking.
The Instant Pot traps steam inside a sealed environment, raising the boiling point of water well above 212°F.
This high heat and pressure break down the complex starches and proteins in beans much faster than traditional boiling ever could.
So when you make beans in an Instant Pot, you’re essentially speeding up a process that would normally take hours on the stove.
That’s why you can make beans in an Instant Pot that taste like they’ve been simmering all day, but they’re ready in a fraction of the time.
Plus, the consistent pressure ensures every bean cooks evenly, which is a challenge when you’re stirring a pot on the stovetop.
Let’s explore the different ways you can make beans in an Instant Pot depending on whether you plan ahead or need a last-minute fix.
1. You Can Make Beans In An Instant Pot With Soaking
If you have time to plan, soaking beans overnight is still a great option, and you can make beans in an Instant Pot with soaked beans in about half the cooking time.
Soaking also helps reduce the compounds that cause digestive discomfort, so many people prefer this method.
To soak, simply cover your dried beans with water by about two inches and let them sit for 8 to 12 hours.
After draining and rinsing, you can make beans in an Instant Pot using roughly 8 to 10 minutes of high pressure for small beans and 12 to 15 minutes for larger varieties.
The soak softens the outer skin, so the pressure can penetrate quickly and evenly.
That’s why you can make beans in an Instant Pot with soaking that turn out silky smooth without any blowouts or mushy centers.
2. You Can Make Beans In An Instant Pot Without Soaking
Here’s the real game changer: you can make beans in an Instant Pot without any soaking at all.
This is perfect for those nights when you suddenly crave homemade beans but didn’t remember to prep the night before.
If you don’t soak, you’ll just need to add about 20 to 25 extra minutes of cooking time.
For example, pinto beans that take 10 minutes soaked will need around 35 to 40 minutes when you make beans in an Instant Pot straight from the bag.
The high pressure does all the hydrating work internally, so you can make beans in an Instant Pot with no soaking that are just as creamy and flavorful.
The only caveat is that unsoaked beans might need a quick natural release of about 15 minutes to prevent the skins from splitting.
But trust me, the convenience of skipping the soak makes this method totally worth it.
How To Make Beans In An Instant Pot Step By Step
Now that you know you can make beans in an Instant Pot either way, let’s break down the exact process from start to finish.
The good news is that the steps are nearly identical for both soaked and unsoaked beans, only the cooking time changes.
Here’s the simple roadmap you’ll follow every time you make beans in an Instant Pot.
Rinse And Pick Over Your Beans First
Before you do anything else, pour your beans into a colander and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water.
You’ll also want to pick through them quickly to remove any small stones or shriveled beans that might have snuck in.
This step ensures that when you make beans in an Instant Pot, nothing ruins your final dish with a gritty bite.
It takes just a minute but makes a huge difference in quality.
Add Your Beans And Liquid To The Pot
Place your prepared beans directly into the Instant Pot insert, then add fresh water or broth.
You’ll want about 3 cups of liquid for every 1 cup of dried beans when you make beans in an Instant Pot.
Don’t overfill the pot, though, because beans expand as they cook and need room for the pressure to circulate.
Keep the total volume of beans and liquid below the max fill line marked inside your pot.
That’s the golden rule to safely make beans in an Instant Pot without any clogging or overflow issues.
Season Sparingly Before Cooking
You can add aromatics like garlic, onion, or a bay leaf, but hold off on salt and acidic ingredients like tomatoes or vinegar.
Salt can toughen bean skins if added too early, and acids can slow down the cooking process entirely.
So when you make beans in an Instant Pot, season with salt only after the cooking cycle finishes.
This way the beans stay tender and absorb all that savory flavor at the end.
Set The Pressure And Cook
Lock the lid in place, make sure the valve is set to sealing, and select the manual or pressure cook button.
Set the timer based on your bean type and whether you soaked them as we discussed earlier.
Once the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
This natural release phase is crucial because it lets the beans finish cooking gently as the pressure drops.
After that, you can carefully switch the valve to venting to release any remaining steam.
And just like that, you’ve made beans in an Instant Pot that are ready for soups, dips, sides, or meal prep.
Cooking Times For Different Beans In The Instant Pot
Not all beans cook the same, so you can make beans in an Instant Pot with confidence by knowing which variety you’re working with.
Smaller beans like black beans or navy beans cook faster than larger, denser beans like chickpeas or kidney beans.
Here’s a handy breakdown of unsoaked cooking times at high pressure to guide you the next time you make beans in an Instant Pot.
Small To Medium Beans
Black beans, pinto beans, and navy beans will cook perfectly when you make beans in an Instant Pot unsoaked for around 30 to 35 minutes.
If you soaked them first, you can lower that to just 8 to 12 minutes.
These beans are forgiving and hold their shape well, making them ideal for burrito bowls and salads.
Large And Dense Beans
Chickpeas, kidney beans, and cannellini beans require a bit more patience when you make beans in an Instant Pot.
Unsoaked, they’ll need about 40 to 45 minutes on high pressure.
With soaking, that drops to 15 to 18 minutes, which is still incredibly fast compared to stovetop methods.
Just remember that older dried beans might take a few extra minutes, so it’s always wise to test for tenderness before serving.
So, Can You Make Beans In An Instant Pot?
Can you make beans in an Instant Pot? Yes, you can make beans in an Instant Pot easily, quickly, and with amazing results every single time.
Whether you choose to soak them overnight or cook them straight from the bag, the Instant Pot handles both methods flawlessly.
You can make beans in an Instant Pot that are creamier and more flavorful than anything you’ll find in a can.
So next time you’re staring at that bag of dried beans, don’t hesitate, just fire up your pressure cooker and get cooking.
Your future self will thank you for the delicious, budget-friendly meals that come from mastering this simple skill.
Happy cooking, and enjoy every single spoonful of those perfect Instant Pot beans.