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When I got my first Instant Pot, I immediately wanted to try making Instant Pot beans from scratch! Not only did my black beans turn out delicious, but it only took around a half hour to make them, with no pre-soaking required! This is sure to become one of your favorite Instant Pot recipes!
Jillee’s Take:
I should also note that this information (and much, much more!) can also be found in my e-book Everything Instant Pot! It’s a great resource for Instant Pot users of every skill level. You can buy it in my shop, or get it for free as an OGT Plus member!
Should I Pre-Soak My Beans?
Soaking beans before cooking them does help them cook a bit faster, but I find it unnecessary when pressure cooking them. The process is already much faster than traditional cooking methods, so I don’t really feel the need to speed the process up further.
Some folks like to soak beans before cooking because they believe it makes them easier to digest and mitigates their gas-inducing effects. If you prefer to soak your beans before pressure cooking them, use the adjusted cooking times for pre-soaked beans near the end of this post.
How To Cook Beans In An Instant Pot
Start by putting your desired amount of beans (or legumes) into the inner pot. Then add enough cooking liquid to cover them by about an inch. (You can always cook them in plain water, but I like to use broth or stock. It’s an easy way to add more flavor to your finished beans!)
Add any spices or aromatic ingredients you want to use to the pot, like minced garlic, diced onions, or dry herbs. Seal the lid and cook on High pressure for the time recommended in the tables below. (Note that if you are cooking a lot of beans, it may take a while for the pot to pressurize, but that’s normal!)
When the timer goes off, allow 10 minutes of Natural Release, then use the Quick Release handle to release the remaining pressure. You’ll have perfectly cooked beans or legumes that are ready to use however you see fit! :-)
Cooking Times For Instant Pot Beans
Below you’ll find two tables with cook times for making beans in your Instant Pot. Use the first table if you’ll be cooking dry beans, and refer to the second table if you’ll be cooking pre-soaked beans.
| Cook Times For Dry Beans & Legumes | |
|---|---|
| Black beans | 25 minutes |
| Chickpeas | 40 minutes |
| Great Northern beans | 25 minutes |
| Kidney beans (red) | 25 minutes |
| Kidney beans (white) | 35 minutes |
| Lentils (green or brown) | 10 minutes |
| Lentils (red, split) | 6 minutes |
| Lentils (yellow, split) | 20 minutes |
| Navy beans | 25 minutes |
| Pinto beans | 25 minutes |
| Peas | 8 minutes |
| Cook Times For Pre-Soaked Beans | |
|---|---|
| Black beans | 8 minutes |
| Chickpeas | 15 minutes |
| Great Northern beans | 8 minutes |
| Kidney beans (red) | 8 minutes |
| Kidney beans (white) | 12 minutes |
| Navy beans | 8 minutes |
| Pinto beans | 8 minutes |
3 Bonus Tips For Instant Pot Beans
1. Don’t Overfill The Pot
When cooking beans, avoid filling your pot more than halfway. Not only do they expand in size as they cook, but they also produce foam. Too much foam can cause it to shoot out of the release valve when you depressurize the pot, so avoid overfilling if you don’t want a big, foamy mess to clean up!
2. Don’t Quick Release Immediately
Due to the foaming issue I just mentioned, it’s not a good idea to use the Quick Release handle immediately after cooking. I recommend allowing 10 minutes of Natural Release before using Quick Release to give the foam time to subside.
3. Freeze Some For Later
It’s easy to use Instant Pot beans in place of canned beans! Just measure out 15-ounce portions of cooked beans into paper or plastic cups and freeze until solid. Peel away the cups, transfer the frozen beans to freezer bags, and use your perfect portions of beans in your favorite recipes!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Cook Dry Beans In An Instant Pot?
To cook dry beans in an Instant Pot, rinse them thoroughly before putting them in the pot with enough water to cover them. Seal the lid and cook on High pressure for the recommended time (see tables above). After cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quickly release the remaining pressure.
Should I Soak Beans Before Cooking Them In An Instant Pot?
Soaking dry beans before pressure cooking them is optional, but you certainly can do it if you want! Just cover the beans with water and let them sit overnight, then rinse well before cooking.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Instant Pot Pinto Beans?
To make Instant Pot pinto beans, you typically need to cook them on high pressure for around 25 minutes (plus or minus a minute or two, depending on how firm you want them to be).
More Ideas You'll Love
What’s The Right Ratio Of Beans To Water In An Instant Pot?
I just eyeball it — after adding my rinsed beans to the Instant Pot, I add enough water (or other liquid) to cover them by about one inch.
Can I Make Refried Beans In An Instant Pot?
Sure! Cook your pinto beans in the Instant Pot as directed above, then drain them while reserving two cups of the cooking liquid and half of cup of the beans. Use an immersion blender to puree the remaining beans in the pot, adding the cooking liquid as needed until they reach your desired consistency. Lastly, stir in the reserved beans.
What’s your favorite way to eat beans?
