Beans and chickpeas are an inexpensive pantry staple filled with plant-based protein, fiber, and other vitamins, they are an easy way to add nutrients to your family’s diet.
In this post, I show you how easy and convenient it is to cook beans using the Instant Pot. Once you’ve made beans from scratch, you’ll agree with me that dried beans taste much better than canned ones. They are more creamy, have more flavor and the best part is, you know exactly what went into making them.
Why Cook Beans in the Instant Pot
I prefer to cook my beans and chickpeas in the Instant Pot rather than using other methods because:
It’s quick and easy! Rather than hovering over a stovetop for long periods of time, using a pressure cooker allows you to cook your beans virtually hands-free.Your beans and chickpeas can be cooked with or without soaking them first. Both dry and pre-soaked beans work well in the Instant Pot.The beans always end up perfectly tender.You get to control the salt and add other flavors in the beans.
Check out these easy and delicious 15+ Instant Pot Bean Recipes! You Might Also Like: Complete Guide on Instant Pot Lentils
How to Make Instant Pot Beans
Rinse beans well: Rinse your beans over cool water in a strainer, removing any particles or pebbles. Add beans and water: Add beans and water to the Instant Pot, as well as any seasonings or additional vegetables. (2 cups water for 1 cup soaked beans, or 3 cups water for 1 cup unsoaked beans) Set cooking time: Close the lid and set the steam valve in the sealing position. Using the above cheat sheet, set the cooking time at High Pressure. Let Instant Pot naturally release: Allow the pressure cooker to natural pressure release (NPR). Open the lid once the pin drops. If in a rush, wait for at least 10 minutes, then perform a quick release.
How to Store Cooked Beans
You may find that you have leftovers after cooking beans in the Instant Pot. You can store your beans using one of the following methods:
Refrigerate: Keep your Instant Pot beans in an airtight container or bag in the fridge for 5-7 days.Freeze: Cooked beans can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Health Benefits of Beans
Beans have a variety of health benefits, including:
Excellent source of plant-based protein: Beans are a great way to get protein, especially for vegans, vegetarians, and people looking for protein sources not from animals.Full of antioxidants: Antioxidants fight free radicals, which are chemicals that can cause various diseases.Good for heart health: Beans lower cholesterol, which can be a cause of heart disease.High in fiber: High fiber diets may help lower glucose levels in people with diabetes, as well creating a feeling of fullness and aiding in weight loss.
As always, if you’re following any diet for medical reasons, do check with your physician first.
Beans Conversion- Dried to Cooked and Canned
Dried beans double in volume after cooking. This easy and simple conversion chart will show you how many dried beans you need to make enough cooked ones, as well as how many cans you need if you’re going with that option.
Do I need to soak beans before pressure cooking?
I grew up watching my mom and grandma soak the beans overnight before pressure cooking them. I followed the same practice but always wondered if there was really a need to do so. So, a few years ago, I did some research and tried a few recipes without soaking them beforehand. Here’s what I found out:
Soaking the beans prior to cooking cuts down on the cooking time since they have already been rehydrated during the process of soaking. Beans contain sugars that the body cannot digest and cause flatulence. Soaking helps to remove some of those sugars. It also allows them to release some of their gases, making digestion easier. Reduces the phytate content in beans. Beans contain Phytic acid, which prevents the absorption of key minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium in the body. Soaking the beans gets rid of that, making nutrient absorption easy.
How to soak beans?
To soak your beans, rinse them first. Add them to a large bowl and cover them with water by 2 inches. Let them sit for 8-12 hours, or overnight, before rinsing again and cooking. However, sometimes you simply don’t have time to allow your beans to soak. The Instant Pot is great for those times, because, while cooking does take a bit longer, this method is still set-it-and-forget-it.
Cooking Times for Different Beans
If you’re wondering how long it takes to cook beans in Instant Pot, refer to this easy cheat sheet for cook times. For each type of bean, they were soaked overnight, cooked at High Pressure, then the Instant Pot was naturally released. Keep in mind that while you will set your cook time to the amount noted, actual cooking will take longer since the pressure cooker takes about 10 minutes to reach pressure. Cooking Note: Beans take longer to cook when cooked with acidic ingredients, like tomatoes, vinegar, or lemon juice. For example, Chickpeas cooked in seasoned water are done in 15 minutes, but in a recipe like Chana masala, which contains tomato and other acidic ingredients, they take 45 minutes.
Bean Cooking Tips & Notes
Soak - Soaking your beans dramatically cuts down on cook time, as well as making them easier on your stomach. Salt - Beans soaked and cooked in saltwater are more flavorful and tender, without bursting out of their skins.Add enough water for soaking - Make sure you cover your beans by 2" when soaking them. This allows the beans to re-hydrate and becomes more tender.Add more water for cooking unsoaked beans: Add an extra cup of water while cooking the beans that haven’t been soaked. Add a pinch of baking soda while cooking - Baking soda creates an alkaline environment, which allows the beans to cook more quickly and turn soft and creamy from within.
Check out more Instant Pot Bean Recipes & a similar detailed post on how to cook Instant Pot Chickpeas!
Easy Instant Pot Beans Recipes
Creamy Black Beans RecipeRajma in Instant Pot (Kidney Beans Curry)Instant Pot Chana MasalaBean Burrito • Instant Pot Burrito BowlMoroccan Chickpeas SoupBlack Bean Chili in Instant Pot
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