How to cook beans in an instant pot

Learn how to make the easiest and most tender beans using an Instant Pot, whether you soak them or not! Great in soups, curries, salads, or sides, once you learn how to use a pressure cooker for your beans, you will never want to cook them any other way.

• Why Cook Beans in the Instant Pot
• How to Make Instant Pot Beans
• How to Store Cooked Beans
• Health Benefits of Beans
• Beans Conversion- Dried to Cooked and Canned
• Do I need to soak beans before pressure cooking?
• Cooking Times for Different Beans
• Bean Cooking Tips & Notes
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Easy Instant Pot Beans Recipes
• 📖 Recipe

Beans and chickpeas are an inexpensive pantry staple filled with plant-based protein, fiber, and other vitamins, they are an easy way to add nutrients to your family's diet.

In this post, I show you how easy and convenient it is to cook beans using the Instant Pot.

Once you've made beans from scratch, you'll agree with me that dried beans taste much better than canned ones. They are more creamy, have more flavor and the best part is, you know exactly what went into making them.

Why Cook Beans in the Instant Pot

I prefer to cook my beans and chickpeas in the Instant Pot rather than using other methods because:

• It's quick and easy! Rather than hovering over a stovetop for long periods of time, using a pressure cooker allows you to cook your beans virtually hands-free.
• Your beans and chickpeas can be cooked with or without soaking them first. Both dry and pre-soaked beans work well in the Instant Pot.
• The beans always end up perfectly tender.
• You get to control the salt and add other flavors in the beans.

Check out these easy and delicious 15+ Instant Pot Bean Recipes!

You Might Also Like: Complete Guide on Instant Pot Lentils

How to Make Instant Pot Beans

Rinse beans well: Rinse your beans over cool water in a strainer, removing any particles or pebbles.

Add beans and water: Add beans and water to the Instant Pot, as well as any seasonings or additional vegetables. (2 cups water for 1 cup soaked beans, or 3 cups water for 1 cup unsoaked beans)

Set cooking time: Close the lid and set the steam valve in the sealing position. Using the above cheat sheet, set the cooking time at High Pressure.

Let Instant Pot naturally release: Allow the pressure cooker to natural pressure release (NPR). Open the lid once the pin drops. If in a rush, wait for at least 10 minutes, then perform a quick release.

How to Store Cooked Beans

You may find that you have leftovers after cooking beans in the Instant Pot. You can store your beans using one of the following methods:

• Refrigerate: Keep your Instant Pot beans in an airtight container or bag in the fridge for 5-7 days.
• Freeze: Cooked beans can be frozen for up to 6 months.

Health Benefits of Beans

Beans have a variety of health benefits, including:

• Excellent source of plant-based protein: Beans are a great way to get protein, especially for vegans, vegetarians, and people looking for protein sources not from animals.
• Full of antioxidants: Antioxidants fight free radicals, which are chemicals that can cause various diseases.
• Good for heart health: Beans lower cholesterol, which can be a cause of heart disease.
• High in fiber: High fiber diets may help lower glucose levels in people with diabetes, as well creating a feeling of fullness and aiding in weight loss.

As always, if you're following any diet for medical reasons, do check with your physician first.

Beans Conversion- Dried to Cooked and Canned

Dried beans double in volume after cooking. This easy and simple conversion chart will show you how many dried beans you need to make enough cooked ones, as well as how many cans you need if you're going with that option.

Do I need to soak beans before pressure cooking?

I grew up watching my mom and grandma soak the beans overnight before pressure cooking them. I followed the same practice but always wondered if there was really a need to do so.

So, a few years ago, I did some research and tried a few recipes without soaking them beforehand. Here's what I found out:

• Soaking the beans prior to cooking cuts down on the cooking time since they have already been rehydrated during the process of soaking.
• Beans contain sugars that the body cannot digest and cause flatulence. Soaking helps to remove some of those sugars. It also allows them to release some of their gases, making digestion easier.
• Reduces the phytate content in beans. Beans contain Phytic acid, which prevents the absorption of key minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium in the body. Soaking the beans gets rid of that, making nutrient absorption easy.

How to soak beans?

To soak your beans, rinse them first. Add them to a large bowl and cover them with water by 2 inches. Let them sit for 8-12 hours, or overnight, before rinsing again and cooking.

However, sometimes you simply don't have time to allow your beans to soak. The Instant Pot is great for those times, because, while cooking does take a bit longer, this method is still set-it-and-forget-it.

Cooking Times for Different Beans

If you're wondering how long it takes to cook beans in Instant Pot, refer to this easy cheat sheet for cook times. For each type of bean, they were soaked overnight, cooked at High Pressure, then the Instant Pot was naturally released.

Keep in mind that while you will set your cook time to the amount noted, actual cooking will take longer since the pressure cooker takes about 10 minutes to reach pressure.

Cooking Note: Beans take longer to cook when cooked with acidic ingredients, like tomatoes, vinegar, or lemon juice. For example, Chickpeas cooked in seasoned water are done in 15 minutes, but in a recipe like Chana masala, which contains tomato and other acidic ingredients, they take 45 minutes.

Bean Cooking Tips & Notes

• Soak - Soaking your beans dramatically cuts down on cook time, as well as making them easier on your stomach.
• Salt - Beans soaked and cooked in saltwater are more flavorful and tender, without bursting out of their skins.
• Add enough water for soaking - Make sure you cover your beans by 2" when soaking them. This allows the beans to re-hydrate and becomes more tender.
• Add more water for cooking unsoaked beans: Add an extra cup of water while cooking the beans that haven't been soaked.
• Add a pinch of baking soda while cooking - Baking soda creates an alkaline environment, which allows the beans to cook more quickly and turn soft and creamy from within.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much quantity of beans can I cook in my Instant Pot?

It depends on the size of your Instant Pot, but for 2 cups (1 pound of dried beans), you will make 6 cups of cooked beans. A 6-quart Instant Pot will hold up to 24 cups of cooked beans at maximum.

Why are my beans taking so long to cook?

Dried unsoaked beans take much longer to cook than soaked beans. Sometimes, if the beans are too old, they take longer to become tender. In that case, it is better to toss those beans.

Do tomatoes slow the cooking of beans?

The acidic properties of certain foods, such as tomatoes, can keep beans from softening. Avoid adding foods such as tomatoes, wine, or lemon juice to your beans until they have already become tender.

Why do you discard bean soaking water?

Soaking gets rid of flatulence causing sugars and phytic acid in the beans. It is best to discard that water and use fresh water for cooking. And trust me, you don't lose any of that flavor.

Can baking soda make beans cook faster?

Yes. Creating an alkaline environment by adding a pinch of baking soda causes beans to soften more quickly, allowing them to cook faster.

Should I discard the cooking liquid after cooking the beans?

You don't have to. That cooking liquid is well seasoned and can be used up as stock to make curries or soups.

Check out more Instant Pot Bean Recipes & a similar detailed post on how to cook Instant Pot Chickpeas!

Easy Instant Pot Beans Recipes

• Creamy Black Beans Recipe
• Rajma in Instant Pot (Kidney Beans Curry)
• Instant Pot Chana Masala
• Bean Burrito • Instant Pot Burrito Bowl
• Moroccan Chickpeas Soup
• Black Bean Chili in Instant Pot

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📖 Recipe

Instant Pot Beans (Soaked & Unsoaked)

Using an Instant Pot to cook beans and chickpeas makes the easiest, most tender beans – whether you soak them or not!

Cook Time 40 mins

Soaking Time 8 hrs

Total Time 8 hrs 40 mins

Course Main Course, Meal Prep

Cuisine American, Indian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 164 kcal

• ▢

• ▢ 1 cup dried beans
• ▢ 2-3 cups water or broth (2 cup for soaked; 3 cups for unsoaked)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ▢ 1 bay leaf optional
• ▢ 1 pinch baking soda

• Rinse beans well: Rinse your beans in a strainer, removing any particles or pebbles. Cover the beans by 2 inches water and soak them for 8 to 12 hours or overnight. Strain before cooking.

• Add beans and water: Add beans and water to the Instant Pot, as well as any seasonings or additional vegetables. Note: 2 cups water for 1 cup soaked; 3 cups water for 1 cup unsoaked)

• Set cooking time: Close the lid on sealing position. Using the above cheat-sheet, set the cooking time on High Pressure.

• Let Instant Pot naturally release: Allow the pressure cooker to natural pressure release (NPR). Open the lid once the pin drops.

• Soak - Soaking your beans dramatically cuts down on cook time, as well as makes them easier on your stomach
• Salt - Beans soaked and cooked in salted water are more flavorful and tender, without bursting out of their skins
• Add enough water for soaking - Make sure you cover your beans by 2" when soaking them. This allows the beans to re-hydrate and becomes more tender.
• Add more water for cooking unsoaked beans: Add an extra cup of water while cooking unsoaked beans.
• Add a pinch of baking soda while cooking - Baking soda creates an alkaline environment, which allows the beans to cook more quickly and turn soft and creamy from within.

Note: The nutrition facts below are my estimates based on chickpeas cooked in water.  If you are following any diet plan, I recommend cross-checking with your preferred nutrition calculator.

Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 593mg | Potassium: 625mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 3mg

How long does it take to cook dried beans in Instant Pot?

What is the ratio of beans to water in Instant Pot?

Do you have to soak beans before Instant Pot?

How do you cook raw beans in a pressure cooker?