How to Cook Great Northern Beans to Perfection in an Instant Pot

Great northern beans are a versatile and nutritious staple to have in your pantry. Not only are they packed with fiber and protein, but they also have a creamy, buttery texture when cooked properly. While you can cook great northern beans on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, using an Instant Pot is hands-down the fastest and easiest method With an Instant Pot, you can have perfectly cooked beans ready in under an hour without needing to soak them first

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook great northern beans in an Instant Pot, including:

• Benefits of Using an Instant Pot
• Instant Pot Ratio for Great Northern Beans
• Cook Time and Release Method
• Step-by-Step Recipe
• Tips for Preventing Common Mistakes
• How to Tell When Beans are Perfectly Cooked
• Storing and Freezing Cooked Beans
• Additional Tasty Ways to Use Your Cooked Beans

After reading this guide, you’ll be able to cook tender great northern beans in your Instant Pot with confidence every time. Let’s get started!

Why Cook Great Northern Beans in an Instant Pot?

An Instant Pot is a game changer when it comes to cooking beans. Here are some of the key benefits

• Speed: You can cook dried beans start to finish in under an hour without any pre-soaking required. This saves a tremendous amount of time compared to other methods.

• Convenience: Simply add the beans and water to the Instant Pot, set it, and walk away. The Instant Pot does all the work for you.

• Consistency: The Instant Pot cooks beans evenly and thoroughly, eliminating the risk of uneven cooking or hard centers.

• Flavor The beans retain more flavor when cooked in the Instant Pot compared to stovetop or slow cooker methods

• Versatility: You can make a big batch of beans in the Instant Pot to use in multiple recipes all week long.

• Nutrition: Cooking beans in the Instant Pot leads to less nutrient loss compared to other cooking methods.

Instant Pot Ratio for Great Northern Beans

One of the keys to getting perfect Instant Pot beans every time is using the right ratio of beans to water.

For great northern beans in the Instant Pot, the ideal ratio is:

• 1 part dried great northern beans
• 3 1⁄2 parts water

So for example, if you’re cooking 1 cup of dried great northern beans, you’ll want to add 3 1⁄2 cups water.

This ratio ensures the beans have enough water to hydrate and cook properly. If you use too little water, the beans on top may not soften fully. And if you use too much water, the beans can turn out mushy.

Cook Time and Release Method

When it comes to choosing the cook time and release method for great northern beans in the Instant Pot, there are a few guidelines to follow:

• Cook time: 30-32 minutes on high pressure

• Release method: Allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure

Cooking the beans for 30-32 minutes sufficiently softens them without turning them to mush. Cooking times can vary a bit depending on the age and size of the beans. Newer, smaller beans may only need 30 minutes, while older, larger beans may require the full 32 minutes.

The natural release is important, as it allows the beans to continue to gently cook without losing their shape. Releasing the pressure immediately can cause the bean skins to split. Letting the pressure naturally release for 15 minutes strikes the right balance.

Step-by-Step Instant Pot Great Northern Beans Recipe

Now let’s walk through a simple recipe step-by-step so you can see just how easy it is to cook great northern beans in the Instant Pot.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried great northern beans, rinsed
• 3 1⁄2 cups water or vegetable broth

Instructions:

1. Add the dried great northern beans and water/broth to the Instant Pot inner pot.

2. Stir briefly to ensure the beans are submerged in liquid. They do not need to be completely covered.

3. Secure the lid, making sure the pressure release valve is in the “sealing” position.

4. Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” function and adjust the cook time to 30 minutes (or 32 minutes for larger, older beans).

5. Once cooking is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 15 minutes.

6. After 15 minutes, manually move the pressure release valve to the “venting” position to release any remaining steam and pressure.

7. When the pressure is fully released, carefully open the lid. The beans should be tender but not split.

8. Drain any excess cooking liquid if desired.

9. Use the great northern beans immediately in recipes, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer term storage.

That’s all there is to it! Letting the Instant Pot do the work makes cooking dried beans nearly effortless.

Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes

Here are some tips to help you avoid the most common pitfalls when cooking beans in the Instant Pot:

• Don’t skip the 15 minute natural release, as this can cause beans to split open.

• Don’t stir the beans at all while cooking, as this can lead to bursting skins.

• Don’t use older, stale beans as they will take longer to soften and can turn mushy more easily.

• Don’t add any acidic ingredients like tomatoes or citrus juice until after the beans have finished cooking, as the acid can prevent beans from softening fully.

• Don’t add salt during cooking, as it can hinder water absorption. Instead, season beans after cooking if desired.

• Don’t overfill the inner pot, which can lead to spillovers or uneven cooking. Max fill line is 2/3 full.

Follow these tips and your beans will turn out perfectly cooked every time!

How to Tell When Beans Are Perfectly Cooked

When your Instant Pot great northern beans are done cooking, they should be uniformly tender with no firmer centers. To test for doneness:

• Beans should be soft enough to easily crush between your fingers, but should still retain their shape without falling apart.

• The skins should be intact, not split or peeling off. A few split skins are okay.

• Beans should be creamy and smooth inside when you bite into one, not grainy or chalky.

• The beans should have absorbed most of the cooking liquid, not sitting in a pool of extra water.

Checking a few beans for these signs will ensure your beans are perfectly cooked without becoming mushy. Get to know what desired texture looks and feels like.

Storing and Freezing Cooked Great Northern Beans

Once your great northern beans are cooked, here are some tips for storing and freezing them:

• Let beans cool completely before transferring to an airtight container for storage.

• Beans will keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.

• For freezing, portion beans into usable amounts (like 1 or 2 cups) in freezer bags or containers before freezing.

• Flatten bags to remove excess air before sealing for freezer storage.

• Frozen beans can be kept for up to 3 months before quality starts to decline.

• Thaw frozen beans overnight in the fridge before using. Add a little fresh water when reheating to restore moisture and prevent sticking.

Freezing in ready-to-use portions makes it easy to enjoy tender great northern beans for months!

Tasty Ways to Use Your Cooked Great Northern Beans

Now that you know how to cook perfect great northern beans in the Instant Pot every time, here are some delicious ways to put them to use:

• Make white chicken chili, loaded baked potatoes, or minestrone soup. The creamy beans pair well with brothy soups.

• Toss beans with vinaigrette and roasted veggies for a protein-packed salad.

• Mash beans with olive oil, garlic, and herbs for a rich spread or dip.

• Puree beans with vegetable broth for a smooth, dairy-free soup base.

• Mix beans into rice pilaf along with sauteed greens and feta cheese.

• Make veggie bean burgers by combining mashed beans with oats, onions, and savory spices.

• Swap beans for half of the cashews in creamy vegan pasta sauces and dips.

The possibilities are endless! Rich, buttery great northern beans prepared in the Instant Pot can be used in both savory and sweet dishes.

As you can see, cooking great northern beans in an Instant Pot is quick, easy, and foolproof when you follow the right ratio, cook time, and release method. In less than an hour, you can make tender, creamy beans full of fiber and plant-based protein – no soaking required!