To cook dried beans in an Instant Pot, you don’t need to soak them first. This is the EASIEST and quickest way to cook dried beans successfully.
You should get one as soon as possible, like yesterday! I wasn’t sure about these magic pressure cooking pots, but I thought I owed it to you all to get one and see if all the hype was true.
Making Instant Pot Dried Beans is the best way to fall in love with your pressure cooker.
They are the BEST thing ever for busy people who still want to make home-cooked meals. It was crazy how fast my 5-ingredient pot roast was ready after being cooked in my Instant Pot for the first time with a frozen chuck roast. I was hooked right away!
So many of my favorite meals use beans, like Black Bean Tacos, Minestrone, and Tuscan White Bean Pasta. Being able to make beans quickly without soaking them first is like a dream come true for me.
And I have cooked dried beans that are ready to use in less than an hour and five minutes of prep time. Not only that, but pressure cooking the beans makes them the softest I’ve ever had. They feel better than canned beans.
Pressure cookers are a great way to quickly and easily cook beans to tender perfection. But many home cooks wonder – just how fast can you cook beans in a pressure cooker? Let’s take a closer look at boiling times for various beans using this time-saving appliance.
An Overview of Pressure Cooking Beans
Using a pressure cooker drastically reduces the cooking time for dried beans compared to conventional boiling While simmering beans on the stove can take 1-2 hours, pressure cooking cuts this time down to a fraction The built-up steam inside the sealed pot allows the beans to cook faster at higher temperatures.
When pressure cooking beans, make sure to use a recipe formulated specifically for pressure cookers. The amount of liquid and cook times will differ from stove top methods. Don’t fill the cooker more than halfway to allow proper circulation and pressure buildup.
Cook Times for Common Bean Varieties
The exact pressure cooking time can vary based on the size and variety of the bean. Here are approximate cook times for some popular types:
- Black beans – 22-25 minutes
- Pinto beans – 22-25 minutes
- Kidney beans – 25-30 minutes
- Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) – 20-22 minutes
- Cannellini beans – 25 minutes
- Navy beans – 22-25 minutes
- Lentils (brown, green, yellow) – 8 minutes
- Black-eyed peas – 5 minutes
As a general guideline, smaller beans like lentils and black-eyed peas cook faster than larger beans. Pre-soaking beans for 8-12 hours can further reduce the cook time by 5-10 minutes.
For mixed bean dishes like chili, cook time should be based on the bean that requires the longest cooking time to ensure evenly cooked beans Add more delicate beans like lentils during the last 5 minutes of pressure cooking to prevent overcooking.
Step-by-Step Guide to Pressure Cooking Beans
Follow these simple steps for perfect pressure cooked beans every time
- Pick through dried beans and rinse well. Soak 8-12 hours for quicker cooking if desired.
- Add soaked or unsoaked beans to the pressure cooker pot. Cover with about 1 1⁄2 inches of hot water over the beans. Don’t overfill past halfway.
- Add any aromatics like onion, garlic, herbs or spices. Salt tenderizes bean skins, so add after cooking if possible.
- Lock the lid in place. Bring to high pressure over medium-high heat. Lower heat to maintain pressure.
- Cook for recommended time based on bean type. Allow natural pressure release.
- Carefully open lid. Check beans for doneness. Cook longer if still tough.
- Drain excess liquid if needed and season beans to taste.
Getting the cook time right is important – too little and beans won’t soften, too long and they can become mushy. Start with the minimum cook time and check frequently until you determine the ideal timing.
Tips for Perfect Pressure Cooked Beans
- Use sorted, washed beans free of debris for best results
- Don’t add ingredients that cause excessive foaming like tomatoes or vinegar
- Allow cooker to fully depressurize before opening lid to prevent spraying
- Add salt, acidic ingredients or delicate greens after cooking
- Adjust liquid to prevent scorching on bottom or excess dryness
With the proper cook times and preparation, you can enjoy tender beans in a fraction of the usual time using a pressure cooker. Don’t be afraid to experiment with cook times for different bean varieties until you find the ideal timing. Mastering beans in the pressure cooker makes enjoying healthful, home-cooked beans a quick and easy process.
Share your experiences cooking beans in a pressure cooker in the comments below!
Instant Pot Bean Cook Time
- Black Beans–30 Minutes on High Pressure
- Chickpeas–40 Minutes on High Pressure
- Kidney Beans–35 Minutes on High Pressure
- Pinto Beans–25 Minutes on High Pressure
- Navy Beans–25 Minutes on High Pressure
- Great Northern Beans– on 35 Minutes High Pressure
How to Flavor Beans
I don’t like to cook dried beans in water only; I like to flavour them too. This step of course is optional but highly encouraged.
- Add a bay leaf and half an onion to the beans and water.
- After the beans are cooked, you should add salt or your own taco seasoning. Putting salt on dried beans BEFORE cooking them can make them take longer to break down and soften.
How to use a Pressure Pot | HOW to cook beans in a pressure cooker
FAQ
Can you overcook beans in a pressure cooker?
Is it better to slow cook or pressure cook beans?
Why do beans cook faster in a pressure cooker?
How long does it take to cook beans in a pressure cooker?
The cooking time for beans in a pressure cooker can vary depending on the type and size of the beans. Generally, it takes around 20-30 minutes for soaked beans and 35-45 minutes for unsoaked beans. The cooking time may be shorter for smaller beans and longer for larger ones. How much pressure should I use to cook beans in a pressure cooker?
How do you cook navy beans in a pressure cooker?
Add 1 pound of rinsed dry navy beans into your pressure cooker. Add water, garlic, salt, a bay leaf, and a ham hock (optional). Pressure cook on high for 20-30 minutes (depending on desired bean texture) then naturally release the pressure for 5-10 minutes. Remove lid, drain beans and serve! (full recipe below)
How long does it take to Pressure Cook pinto beans?
Whichever way you cook your beans, be sure to budget the time for the pressure to come up and begin the actual pressure cooking, 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your pressure cooker. So, including the time it takes to come to pressure, you can have tender pinto beans in about 15 minutes. That’s with soaked beans and pressure naturally released.
Can you cook beans in an electric pressure cooker?
The electric pressure cooker is a bean-cooking dream. A “rapid soak” of just one minute at high pressure eliminates the overnight soak, and an average cook time of 10 minutes for most beans means that you can have a fresh pot in less than an hour. Here’s how to do it.