You don’t have to soak the beans before cooking them in an Instant Pot. Once you learn how to do it, you’ll never want to cook beans any other way again. They taste great in soups, curries, salads, and as a side dish.
Cooking dried beans in the Instant Pot is a game changer. No more hours of simmering on the stovetop! But nailing the right cook times can take some trial and error, especially for soaked beans. Read on for a handy guide to soaked bean cook times in the Instant Pot.
Why Soak Beans Before Cooking in the Instant Pot?
Soaking beans before pressure cooking offers a few benefits:
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Shortens cook time significantly
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Improves texture – softer skins. creamier insides
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Increases digestibility
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Helps beans cook more evenly
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Allows more control over doneness
Many people find pre-soaking essential for cooking beans in the IP that hold their shape and have an ideal firm-tender texture.
Soaking Tips
To soak beans before Instant Pot cooking:
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Place dried beans in a bowl and cover with 2-3 inches of water.
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Let soak at room temperature for 8-12 hours.
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Drain the soaking water and give beans a quick rinse.
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Use 3 cups water for every 1 cup soaked beans when pressure cooking.
Tip: For a quicker soak, cover beans with boiling water and soak for just 1-2 hours.
Handy Soaked Bean Time Chart
Use this handy guide for estimated minimum cook times for common soaked bean varieties in the Instant Pot.
| Bean Variety | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Black beans | 9-11 minutes |
| Pinto beans | 8-10 minutes |
| Kidney beans | 9-11 minutes |
| Cannellini beans | 9-11 minutes |
| Cranberry beans | 7-9 minutes |
| Navy beans | 5-8 minutes |
| Lima beans | 7-9 minutes |
| Chickpeas | 12-15 minutes |
Note: Cook times are for beans soaked 8-12 hours.
Step-By-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked soaked beans every time:
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After soaking, drain beans and give them a quick rinse.
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Add soaked beans to the Instant Pot insert along with aromatics like onion, garlic, herbs.
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Pour in 3 cups fresh water for every 1 cup of dried beans.
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Secure the lid, ensure the valve is set to “sealing.”
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Select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode and set time based on above chart.
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Allow pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes after cooking completes.
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After 10 minutes, quick release any remaining pressure.
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Check beans for tenderness. Cook longer if needed.
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Season beans to taste with salt, pepper, etc.
And that’s it – perfectly cooked soaked beans ready to become tacos, chili, soups, and more!
Adjusting Cook Times
The soaked bean time chart provides estimated minimum cook times. But bean cook time can vary based on:
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Varietal differences
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Bean freshness – older beans take longer
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Altitude – add 5% cook time per 1,000 feet elevation
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Personal taste – increase time for very soft beans
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Pressure release method – quick releasing beans can lead to undercooking
Get to know your preferred doneness and tweak cook times as needed. It’s also a good idea to check beans at the minimum time and cook longer if still too firm.
Preventing Common Bean Pitfalls
With the right techniques, you can avoid these pesky bean issues:
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Undercooked beans – Increase time, natural release pressure, and check doneness at minimum cook time.
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Burst beans – For intact beans, don’t exceed recommended time and natural release at least 10 minutes.
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Foamy texture – Don’t quick release. Natural pressure release prevents foaming.
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Skin toughness – Always soak beans and use natural pressure release method.
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Inconsistent texture – Soak thoroughly and natural release to evenly hydrate beans.
Handy Tips for Soaked Bean Excellence
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Presoak 8-12 hours for best texture – skip longer than 24 hours.
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Don’t add acidic ingredients until after cooking – they hinder softening.
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Natural release at least 10 minutes – quick releasing increases splitting.
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Check doneness at minimum cook time – adjust up if still too al dente.
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Add seasonings after – salt and acidic ingredients added too early toughen beans.
Simple Soaked Bean Recipes
Once you’ve mastered the basics, try these easy soaked bean dishes:
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Cuban Black Beans – Black beans, onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, lime
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Minestrone Soup – Cannellini beans, veggies, broth, basil
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Red Beans and Rice – Kidney beans, onion, celery, broth, Cajun seasoning
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Chickpea Coconut Curry – Chickpeas, onion, curry powder, coconut milk
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Navy Bean and Bacon Soup – Navy beans, bacon, onion, thyme, chicken broth
Enjoy Endless Meals with Perfect Instant Pot Beans
Equipped with soak times and tips, you can cook up batches of tender beans full of flavor. Then transform them into burritos, chilis, stews, sides, and more. So grab those bags of beans and your Instant Pot to start soaking and cooking!
Bean Cooking Tips & Notes
- Soak: Soaking your beans makes them easier on the stomach and cuts down on the time it takes to cook them by a lot.
- Sea salt: Soaking and cooking beans in saltwater makes them taste better and make them softer without making them burst.
- Bring enough water to a boil. Cover the beans by two inches when you soak them. This allows the beans to re-hydrate and becomes more tender.
- When cooking beans that haven’t been soaked, add more water. In this case, add an extra cup of water when cooking beans that haven’t been soaked.
- While the beans are cooking, add a pinch of baking soda. Baking soda makes the environment alkaline, which helps the beans cook faster and become soft and creamy inside.
Based on the size of your Instant Pot, 2 cups (1 pound) of dried beans will cook up to 6 cups of beans. A 6-quart Instant Pot will hold up to 24 cups of cooked beans at maximum.
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.
The acidic properties of certain foods, such as tomatoes, can keep beans from softening. Do not add things like tomatoes, wine, or lemon juice to your beans until they are already soft.
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 dont lose any of that flavor.
Yes. Adding a pinch of baking soda makes the environment more acidic, which makes the beans soften faster and cook faster.
You dont have to. That cooking liquid is well seasoned and can be used up as stock to make curries or soups.
See more Instant Pot Bean Recipes
Cooking Times for Different Beans
If you want to know how long it takes to cook beans in an Instant Pot, this handy sheet will help you out. Each kind of bean was soaked overnight, cooked at high pressure, and then the Instant Pot shut off by itself.
Remember that even though you set the cook time to the amount written, it will take longer to cook because it takes the pressure cooker about 10 minutes to reach pressure.
| Beans | Pressure Cook Time – Soaked | Pressure Cook Time – No Soak |
|---|---|---|
| Chickpeas (Garbanzo) | 15 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Kidney Beans | 25 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Black Beans | 22 minutes | 35 minutes |
| Pinto Beans | 15 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Lobia (Black Eyed Peas) | 15 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Black Chickpeas (Kala Chana) | 20 minutes | 40 minutes |
Cooking Note: Beans take longer to cook when cooked with acidic ingredients, like tomatoes, vinegar, or lemon juice. Chickpeas cooked in seasoned water are done in 15 minutes, but they take 45 minutes to cook in a recipe like Chana masala, which has tomato and other acidic ingredients.
Why You Should Soak! How to Cook Beans in the Instant Pot – EASY
FAQ
How long to cook soaked beans in an Instant Pot?
How long to cook beans that were soaked?
How long is bean setting on Instant Pot?
Can you overcook beans in Instant Pot?
How long do you soak beans in Instant Pot?
Soaked Bean Directions Take the rinsed beans and place in a large mixing bowl and cover with water at least 2 to 3 inches above the beans. Soak at least 8 hours, and you can soak in the fridge for up to 24 if needed. Rinse the beans and add them to your Instant Pot. Now add 3 cups of water on top of your beans.
How do you cook beans in an Instant Pot?
Take the rinsed beans and place in a large mixing bowl and cover with water at least 2 to 3 inches above the beans. Soak at least 8 hours, and you can soak in the fridge for up to 24 if needed. Rinse the beans and add them to your Instant Pot. Now add 3 cups of water on top of your beans. Use more liquid if you want more broth.
How long to cook pinto beans in Instant Pot?
The cook times below are what works for me in my Instant Pot. Cook unsoaked dry pinto beans for 30 minutes at high pressure, followed by a 15 minute natural release. Cook soaked pinto beans for 15 minutes at high pressure, followed by a 15 minute natural release.
How do you Pressure Cook black beans in an Instant Pot?
Put black beans, water and seasonings in your Instant Pot. Close the Instant Pot lid and turn the steam release valve to the sealing position. Pressure cook on high pressure (manual) according to the cook times listed in the recipe. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes. Quick release any remaining pressure.