How to cook beans in the Instant Pot. The ultimate guide for cooking beans in the pressure cooker, including different types, soaking vs not soaking & more!
One of the reasons I got my Instant Pot was so that I could start cooking beans from scratch. Even though cooking beans on the stove is actually quite easy, for some reason I just have this mental barrier to it. I have a cupboard full of dried beans that inevitably end up just using the precious space I actually do have in my pantry.
Now Im a bean cooking machine and I freaking love it! Its easy, its fast and I gotta say its way better all around!
For soaked beans, cook for 7-9 minutes for cooked but firm beans, or 10-12 minutes for softer beans. For unsoaked beans, cook for 30 to 40 minutes. When the timer beeps, allow a natural pressure release for at least 10 minutes (or 15-20 minutes). Perform a manual pressure release to vent any remaining steam.
How Long Does It Take To Cook Beans in the Instant Pot?
When it comes to actually cooking your beans in the instant pot, the time varies by bean type. Chickpeas, for example, can take upwards of 40 minutes to cook, whereas lentils take less than 10.
And then theres the soak factor. If youve soaked your chickpeas, they only take about 10, whereas soaked black beans take about 5. So really…its bean dependent!
To make it easy for you, Ive put together a free printable cooking chart that outlines the various cooking times for 11 of the most common beans (and all beans that Bobs Red Mill sells too!). And weve even included the different times for soaking vs. not soaking!
What Types of Beans Can You Cook in an Instant Pot?
Thats a great question! And the answer is most. Theres really only one type of bean I wouldnt bother cooking in the Instant Pot and thats red lentils. Red lentils are super delicate, cook very quickly on the stove already and youll end up spending more time cooking them in your pressure cooker.
All other beans are fair game!
If youre wondering where to get dried beans, my friends at Bobs Red Mill are always my go-to! Their beans are super high quality and they have an amazing selection to choose from. Just check out the bean section on their site to see what Im talking about!
Everything You Need To Know About Pressure Canning Beans
FAQ
How long to cook pre soaked beans?
How long does it take to cook 1 lb of beans in a pressure cooker?
Can you overcook beans in a pressure cooker?
How do you cook dried beans in a pressure cooker?
Put the rinsed beans in the pressure cooker along with one teaspoon of salt and four cups (1 liter) of water per measured cup of dried beans. Close the lid, set the valve to pressure cook, and program the cooker to cook for two minutes at high pressure . Stove top-style pressure cookers would follow the same instructions and cooking times.
Can you cook soaked beans in a pressure cooker?
Quick-soaking beans gives you nearly all of the benefits of soaked beans, but at a fraction of the time – just what it takes for the pressure cooker to reach pressure and a couple minutes more. Here’s how I do it. Measure the amount of dried beans called for in the recipe. Check the beans for any debris and then rinse them well.
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.
How long do you Pressure Cook black beans?
For firmer beans: Pressure cook at high pressure for 8 minutes followed by a 15 minute natural pressure release. For softer beans: Pressure cook at high pressure for 10 minutes followed by a 15 minute natural pressure release. These black beans are quick and easy to make.