How To Make Beans In The Instant Pot

To make beans in the Instant Pot, you simply add dried beans, water or broth, and seasonings, then let the electric pressure cooker do the heavy lifting in a fraction of the time traditional cooking requires.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to make beans in the Instant Pot without soaking them overnight, you’re in the right place.
 
The Instant Pot makes cooking beans incredibly easy because the sealed environment traps steam and pressure, which forces liquid into the beans quickly.
 
That means you can go from dry, hard beans to creamy, tender beans in about an hour or less, depending on the variety.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to make beans in the Instant Pot, including ratios, timing, and a few tips so your beans turn out perfectly every single time.
 
Let’s get cooking.
 

How to Make Beans in the Instant Pot (Step by Step)

Learning how to make beans in the Instant Pot starts with understanding the basic process, and it’s honestly one of the simplest things you can cook in this appliance.
 
Here’s how to make beans in the Instant Pot from start to finish:
 

1. Rinse and Sort Your Dried Beans

Before you make beans in the Instant Pot, pour them into a colander and rinse them under cool running water.
 
Pick out any small stones, shriveled beans, or debris while you’re at it.
 
This step only takes a minute, but it keeps your final dish clean and safe to eat.
 

2. Add Beans and Liquid to the Pot

To make beans in the Instant Pot, use a ratio of 1 cup of dried beans to 3 cups of water or broth.
 
If you like your beans on the softer side, you can push that to 4 cups of liquid.
 
Never fill the Instant Pot more than halfway when cooking beans, since they expand and foam during cooking.
 

3. Season Before Cooking

When you make beans in the Instant Pot, you can season right from the start.
 
Add a bay leaf, a smashed garlic clove, a piece of onion, cumin, or a little salt.
 
Some people say salt toughens beans, but with pressure cooking, a modest amount of salt at the beginning actually seasons them beautifully.
 
Just skip anything acidic like tomatoes or vinegar until after cooking, since acid slows the softening process.
 

4. Lock the Lid and Set the Pressure

Secure the lid, make sure the valve is set to sealing, and choose the Manual or Pressure Cook setting on high pressure.
 
The time you set depends on the type of bean you’re making.
 
Once the timer ends, let the pressure release naturally for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
 

5. Check Doneness and Season Again

After you make beans in the Instant Pot, open the lid and test a few beans by tasting them.
 
They should be creamy and soft all the way through.
 
If they’re still firm, put the lid back on and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes.
 
Then stir in salt, pepper, or any fresh herbs you like.
 

Instant Pot Bean Cooking Times by Type

The biggest question when you make beans in the Instant Pot is how long each variety needs.
 
Here’s a quick cheat sheet so you can make beans in the Instant Pot without guesswork:
 

1. Black Beans and Pinto Beans

When you make beans in the Instant Pot with black or pinto beans, cook them for 25 to 30 minutes on high pressure.
 
They come out tender, creamy, and perfect for tacos, burritos, or soups.
 

2. Kidney Beans and Cannellini Beans

To make beans in the Instant Pot with kidney or cannellini beans, set the timer for 35 to 40 minutes.
 
Kidney beans especially need full pressure cooking to be safe and digestible.
 

3. Chickpeas and Navy Beans

If you make beans in the Instant Pot using chickpeas, plan for 40 to 45 minutes.
 
Navy beans cook faster, usually around 25 to 30 minutes.
 

4. Lentils (Quickest Option)

When you make beans in the Instant Pot with lentils, they only need 8 to 10 minutes.
 
They’re the fastest way to get a hearty, protein-packed meal on the table.
 

Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Beans Every Time

If you want to make beans in the Instant Pot like a pro, these tips will help you nail it.
 

1. Soaking Is Optional

You can make beans in the Instant Pot without soaking them at all.
 
Unsoaked beans just need a few extra minutes of cooking time.
 

2. Add Acid at the End

If you make beans in the Instant Pot with lemon juice, lime, or tomatoes, add them after cooking.
 
Acid stops beans from softening, so it belongs in the finishing stage only.
 

3. Don’t Overfill the Pot

Whenever you make beans in the Instant Pot, leave plenty of room for expansion and steam.
 
Overfilling can clog the valve and make a mess.
 

4. Store the Cooking Liquid

After you make beans in the Instant Pot, save that flavorful liquid.
 
It’s called pot liquor, and it adds amazing depth to soups, stews, and grains.
 

So, How Do You Make Beans in the Instant Pot?

You make beans in the Instant Pot by combining dried beans, water or broth, and seasonings, then pressure cooking them on high for 25 to 45 minutes depending on the variety.
 
Learning how to make beans in the Instant Pot saves you money, cuts out canned bean sodium, and gives you better flavor and texture.
 
Once you know how to make beans in the Instant Pot, you’ll wonder why you ever bought them in cans.
 
So grab a bag of dried beans, fire up your Instant Pot, and enjoy a pot of creamy, delicious beans any night of the week.