This Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon recipe is quick, healthy, and low in carbs. You can eat it as a side dish or as a keto-friendly main dish. Just beans, bacon, and a few seasonings make this a fast and easy dinner or side dish.
Green beans are a classic side dish that pairs well with so many mains. Getting them just right can be tricky though. Undercooked beans are crunchy and raw tasting while overcooked beans turn out limp and soggy With an Instant Pot, you can perfectly cook green beans to be tender on the inside yet still have a slight crispness
Cooking green beans in the Instant Pot takes just minutes and couldn’t be easier. Follow these simple steps for foolproof instant pot green beans every time.
Choosing the Best Green Beans
To start, select fresh, high-quality green beans. Look for beans with a vibrant green color and snap. Avoid beans that are pale, limp or have brown spots. The thinner the bean, the more tender it will be when cooked.
When preparing the beans
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Rinse thoroughly under cool water.
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Snap off the stem ends. This takes a bit of time but is worth it.
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Leave the curvy tip end intact. It’s tender and delicious.
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Pat dry with paper towels or a clean dish towel.
Proper prep is key for great instant pot green beans.
How to Steam Green Beans in the Instant Pot
Steaming is a simple way to cook green beans in the Instant Pot.
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Add 1 cup water to the inner pot.
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Insert a steaming rack or basket.
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Add prepared green beans.
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Secure the lid, ensuring the valve is sealed.
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Select Steam mode and set time based on desired doneness:
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For crisp-tender beans, steam 0 minutes.
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For tender yet firm beans, steam 2 minutes.
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For soft beans, steam 4 minutes.
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Quick release pressure immediately after cooking.
The beans begin to cook as the pot builds pressure. Steaming for 0 minutes leaves them with some crunch while 2-4 minutes makes them increasingly tender. Quick releasing ensures perfect doneness without overcooking.
Pressure Cooking Green Beans
Pressure cooking is another easy Instant Pot green bean method:
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Place 1 cup water and prepared beans in inner pot.
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Secure the lid and seal the valve.
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Manual mode on high pressure for 0 minutes makes crisp beans. Increase time for softer beans.
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Quick release pressure when cooking completes.
The beans cook via pressure steaming. A 0 minute cook time leaves them with some bite while adding minutes makes them softer. Quick releasing prevents overcooking.
Tips for Instant Pot Green Beans
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Frozen green beans work too but may need an extra minute of cook time.
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Add fresh herbs, garlic or citrus to the inner pot for flavor.
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Toss cooked beans with butter, olive oil, salt and pepper.
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Leftovers hold well refrigerated for up to 5 days.
With these simple tricks, you’ll get perfect instant pot green beans every time.
Flavorful Seasonings for Instant Pot Green Beans
Don’t stop at plain green beans. After cooking in the Instant Pot, add any of these flavorful extras:
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Melted butter or olive oil
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Minced garlic or garlic powder
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Fresh lemon or lime juice
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Coarse salt and cracked black pepper
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Grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano
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Chopped fresh herbs like parsley, basil, dill or chives
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Toasted sliced almonds or pecan pieces
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Soy sauce, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, ginger
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Balsamic or red wine vinegar
Mix and match toppings to give your instant pot green beans irresistible flavor.
Satisfying Instant Pot Green Bean Recipes
Take your green beans up a notch with these tasty instant pot recipes:
Lemon Garlic Green Beans
Sauté beans, garlic and lemon in olive oil. Toss with parsley.
Green Beans Almondine
Steam beans then top with toasted almonds and lemon juice.
Green Bean Salad
Steam beans then toss with vinaigrette, tomatoes and feta.
Green Bean Casserole
Make the classic with instant pot green beans, mushrooms and fried onions.
Thai Green Bean Stir Fry
Toss steamed beans in a Thai peanut sauce.
Pesto Green Beans
Top steamed beans with prepared or homemade pesto.
The options are endless for dressing up simple instant pot green beans.
Follow Proper Storage for Leftovers
Make a big batch of instant pot green beans and store properly for quick meals all week.
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Let beans cool slightly before storage.
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Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
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For long term, freeze in freezer bags for 4-6 months.
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Reheat refrigerated beans on the stove or in the microwave.
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Cook frozen beans directly in the Instant Pot with an extra minute or two of pressure cooking.
With the right storage, you can enjoy instant pot green beans again and again.
Master Perfect Instant Pot Green Beans
Now you can make spectacular green beans in your Instant Pot any night of the week. Crisp yet tender beans are just minutes away. Follow this guide for selecting, prepping, pressure cooking and seasoning for delicious Instant Pot green beans every time. Say goodbye to the mushy, overcooked beans of the past!
What Pairs Well With Green Beans?
So many of my favorite comfort foods, both low-carb and not, go well with these Instant Pot green beans. Here are my favorite dishes to pair them with:
Can You Overcook Green Beans?
Well, yes and no. It kind of comes down to preference. Typically properly cooked green beans will have slight crispiness, but some people prefer them a little softer. This Green Beans With Bacon recipe calls for them to be cooked just long enough so they still have a little bite to them. You can change this to suit your tastes.
Instant Pot Southern Green Beans
FAQ
How much water do you put in Instant Pot for beans?
Do you have to pre soak beans for Instant Pot?
What are Instant Pot green beans?
Instant Pot green beans are a quick and easy way to pressure cook fresh green beans tender-crisp as a healthy side dish or for other recipes. Want to Save This Recipe? Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week! By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Kitchen Girl.
How do you Pressure Cook green beans in an Instant Pot?
Pressure cook the green beans. Put the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure it is locked. then turn or press the pressure valve to seal the pot (if needed). Set the pressure cook time to high pressure to steam green beans in an instant pot for 1 minute. If using frozen green beans, cook them at high pressure for 2 minutes. Ready to serve.
How long does it take to cook green beans in Instant Pot?
You may be wondering how green beans can cook in the Instant Pot when the cook time is set to zero. Before the cook time starts, the Instant Pot takes about 8-10 minutes to pressurize. During that time, steam and heat are building and the green beans begin to cook. When the cook time ends, you’ll want to do a quick release to release the pressure.
What kind of beans do you put in an Instant Pot?
fresh green beans – Use any variety green beans for this Instant Pot recipe, including string beans, French beans, wax beans, or plain green beans. water – A very necessary ingredient for the Instant Pot to pressurize and pressure cook the food that’s inside. sea salt – (optional) Can be used to season the green beans.