The Instant Pot is a game changer when it comes time to cook dried beans. In under an hour, with NO pre-soaking, you will have a large pot of perfectly cooked beans. I prefer cooking dried beans in the Instant Pot as I can eliminate the salt, and find the texture of the beans to be better than canned. Cooking dried beans in the Instant Pot is also economical, fast, and mostly hands off, perfect for busy Meal prep days. Stove top methods are fine, however you will have to plan ahead, and watch the pot, it can take hours, and who has time for that?
If you haven’t taken your Instant Pot out of the box, you should. Go now, open the box, and give it a try. It’s far less intimidating than you think, and you’ll love the results.
I use the Instant Pot Duo, 6qt for my family of five. I’m planning on getting a second instant pot, and I’ll get the 8qt so I can meal prep and batch cook more easily.
Cooking dried beans in the Instant Pot is a great first “recipe” to try as even if it doesn’t work out, which it will, beans are super inexpensive so they are an excellent ingredient to test with.
Cooking dried beans in the Instant Pot
- Place 1 pound dried beans with 8 cups water in your Instant Pot.
- Place the lid on, and turn the valve to seal.
- Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes for cooked beans that you plan to use in soups or stews.
- For softer beans that you don’t plan to cook any further, cook for 40 minutes.
- Once cooking time has finished, carefully turn the steam valve to open and release the steam.
- Open the lid (careful it’s hot), drain the liquid* and use your beans as desired.
Cooked beans will keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. You can also freeze them in 1 or 2 cup portions and keep them on hand in the freezer for future use.
*If your recipe requires you to puree your beans, keep some of the cooking liquid to puree with.
Recipes using dried beans:
Looking for some recipes to use dried beans or legumes? I have a few that I highly recommend.
One Skillet White Bean and Spicy Sausage Soup
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