Instant Pot Ham and Beans recipe. Pressure cooking is my dry bean secret weapon. If I soak dry navy beans overnight, they only take 10 minutes at high pressure to cook. That means I can make a hearty meal of dried navy beans and cubed ham in less than an hour.
Ham and beans are a great combination – the salty ham and creamy beans are a natural pairing. Here is my straightforward recipe for these classic partners, with nothing fancy to get in the way.
This is one of my wifes favorite meals. “Youre making ham and beans? Yessss!” Its a great example of how simple doesnt mean boring. I often cook pork with beans, like in my Pressure Cooker Senate Bean Soup, Instant Pot Borracho Beans, or Instant Pot Cajun White Beans. If you have it, homemade chicken broth adds extra depth to this recipe.
Ham and beans is a classic comfort food that everyone loves. The combination of salty smoky ham with creamy beans creates a deeply satisfying dish. While traditionally ham and beans takes hours to make on the stovetop using an Instant Pot pressure cooker cuts the cooking time down dramatically. You can have tender beans and flavorful broth ready in under an hour with an Instant Pot.
If you have leftover holiday ham or a ham bone stashed in your freezer, making ham and beans is a perfect way to use it up. The Instant Pot extracts every bit of meaty flavor from the bone to create a rich pot of beans. And cubed ham stirred in at the end retains its lovely texture.
Read on for a simple step-by-step guide to making perfect ham and beans in the Instant Pot every time.
Benefits of Making Ham and Beans in the Instant Pot
There are a few key advantages to making this classic dish in the pressure cooker
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No overnight soaking: Traditional recipes require dried beans to be soaked overnight before cooking. But with the Instant Pot, you can skip that step. The intense pressure and steam mean you can start with dry beans and have them perfectly cooked in about an hour.
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Extracts flavor from the bone: Cooking a ham bone or hock in the pot infuses the broth with smoky, porky flavor. The pressurized environment really draws out all the goodness.
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Keeps cubed ham tender: Ham stirred in right at the end retains its lovely texture instead of becoming stringy from overcooking.
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Hands-off cooking: After locking the lid, the Instant Pot does all the work for you with no need to watch a simmering pot.
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Cooks faster: Beans are cooked through in a fraction of the time of traditional stovetop methods.
Tips for Making Ham and Beans in the Instant Pot
Follow these tips and tricks for foolproof ham and beans every time:
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Choose dried beans that hold their shape well when cooked like navy, great northern, or cannellini beans. More delicate beans may break down too much.
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Sort through the dried beans to remove any dirt, debris or shriveled beans before cooking.
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Dice the onion and cut any vegetables small so they cook through fully.
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For the most flavor, use a smoked ham bone or ham hock.
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Add any cubed ham right at the end so it doesn’t get overcooked.
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Let the pressure release naturally to allow the beans to finish cooking gently.
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Mash a few beans against the side of the pot to thicken the broth if desired.
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Adjust seasoning just before serving and add more ham for flavor if needed.
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Garnish bowls with green onion, cheese, hot sauce etc. to add fresh flavor.
Now that you know the benefits and a few handy tips, let’s get right to the step-by-step Instant Pot ham and beans recipe!
Ingredients Needed
- 1 pound dried navy beans (or other white bean)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 smoked ham hock or bone
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 cups water or broth
- 11⁄2 cups cubed ham
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Green onions, shredded cheese, hot sauce etc. for serving (optional)
Step-by-Step Instant Pot Ham and Beans Recipe
Follow these simple steps for easy Instant Pot ham and beans:
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Rinse the beans: Pick through the dried beans to remove any broken ones, dirt or debris. Place beans in a colander and rinse thoroughly.
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Sauté aromatics: Select Sauté mode and heat oil. Add onion, celery, carrots and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes until starting to soften.
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Add seasonings and liquid: Add thyme, pepper, bay leaf, ham bone and 8 cups water or broth to pot. Scrape bottom to deglaze.
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Pressure cook: Add drained beans and stir to combine. Lock lid and pressure cook on High for 50 minutes. Allow natural release for 10 minutes then quick release.
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Remove bone and stir in ham: Carefully remove lid. Take out ham bone and bay leaf. Stir in cubed ham.
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Simmer ham: Select Sauté mode and simmer ham for 5 minutes until warmed through.
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Season and serve: Turn off Instant Pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with green onions, cheese etc. if desired. Enjoy!
Variations and Substitutions
This basic ham and bean recipe is very customizable. Try these variations:
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Use pinto, cannellini or baby lima beans instead of navy beans. Adjust cook time as needed.
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Add a pinch of dried thyme, rosemary or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
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Stir in a can of fire roasted diced tomatoes when adding the cubed ham.
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Swap the water for chicken or vegetable broth for more depth.
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Skip the ham bone and use 4-6 cups cubed or shredded deli ham.
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For a meatless option, omit the ham and use smoked paprika instead.
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Top bowls with crispy bacon bits, shredded cheddar or green onion.
No matter how you vary it, ham and beans in the Instant Pot is sure to become a new family favorite. The tender beans and rich broth are comforting and satisfying. Give this easy pressure cooker recipe a try soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of beans work best?
Smaller beans like navy, great northern and cannellini hold their shape well when cooked. Larger beans or more delicate ones may fall apart too much.
Do I need to soak the beans?
There’s no need to soak beans beforehand with the Instant Pot. You can use them dry right out of the bag.
How long should I cook ham and beans?
For 1 pound of dried beans, cook at high pressure for 50 minutes, followed by a 10 minute natural then quick pressure release. Adjust time as needed for larger amounts or different types of beans.
Why do you add the ham at the end?
Adding cubed ham right before serving prevents it from overcooking and becoming stringy in the Instant Pot.
Can I use a ham steak instead of a bone?
Yes, you can substitute diced ham steak or leftover holiday ham for the bone. The flavor will still be delicious.
What thickens the broth?
Mashing a few beans against the side of the pot releases their starch and helps thicken the broth. Letting it sit for 5-10 minutes will also naturally thicken it.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes! Allow ham and beans to cool completely then transfer to freezer bags or containers. It freezes well for up to 3 months.
Get Creative with Ham and Beans
Now that you know the basics, you can start getting creative with ham and beans in the Instant Pot. Try adding different spices and garnishes to make it your own.
The options are endless for soups, stews, skillet meals and more using beans and ham. Homemade ham and beans will quickly become a favorite meal your whole family asks for again and again.
Pressure Cook for 10 minutes with a Natural Release
Lock the Instant Pot lid and pressure cook at high pressure for 10 minutes. (Use “Manual,” “Pressure Cook,” or “Pressure Cook: Custom” mode set to 10 minutes in an Instant Pot. If youre using a stove top pressure cooker, cook for 8 minutes at high pressure). Let the pressure come down naturally, about 20-30 minutes. If youre in a hurry, you can quick release any remaining pressure after 15 minutes of natural release.
Carefully remove the lid, tilting it away from you to avoid the hot steam. Stir in the freshly ground black pepper. Ladle into bowls, serve, and enjoy!.
Instant Pot Ham and Beans
