Instant Pot Black Beans

Using an Instant Pot, or pressure cooker is the quickest way to cook dried beans. This plain and simple recipe will quickly get you delicious black beans that you can use any way you choose!

Jump to:

• ⏲️ Cook Time
• 🍲 Instructions
• ✨ Top Tips
• 🤷To Soak or Not to Soak
• 🥣 Storage
• 👪 Serving size
• 💪 Nutrition
• 🥗 Uses
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Reviews

⏲️ Cook Time

It takes approximately 1 hour to cook unsoaked black beans in the pressure cooker.

• ~3 mins to prep the beans and get the Instant Pot set up
• ~12 mins for the Instant Pot to come to high pressure
• 25 mins to cook the beans
• 20 mins for the pressure to naturally release before venting

It takes approximately 43 mins to cook soaked black beans in the pressure cooker.

• ~3 mins to prep the beans and get the Instant Pot set up
• ~12 mins for the Instant Pot to come to high pressure
• 8 mins to cook the beans
• 20 mins for the pressure to naturally release before venting

🍲 Instructions

Optional Soaking: At least 6-8 hours before cooking, place your beans in a bowl and cover with water. Soak for a maximum of 12 hours. When ready to use, drain water.

Using a colander, rinse dried black beans with clean water and add to the bowl of the pressure cooker. Cover beans with at least 2 inches of water. Add salt (if using), and stir. Place the lid on the Instant Pot, turning it to the closed position.

Cook on high pressure for 8 mins (soaked) or 25 minutes (unsoaked). Let natural pressure release for 20 minutes. Then vent any remaining pressure.

Do a taste test to check your black beans for desired consistency. If you prefer softer, pressure cook for 5 more minutes and then do a quick pressure release.

✨ Top Tips

• Rinse your beans in cool, clean water before using. This will remove any dust or debris that has settled on them in storage.
  
• I purposely kept this recipe "flavor free" so you can use these cooked black beans anyway you choose. However, you could add different seasonings, such as garlic, cumin, or chili powder to add more flavor. You could also add in onions and jalapenos.
  
• The length of time it takes to soften the beans to desired texture depends on personal preference. The times I have given are for beans that are soft, but have a little bit of chew still to them. If you are planning on mashing your black beans, or just like them extra creamy and tender, you'll probably want to cook them at least an additional 5 minutes to make them even softer. If you like your beans chewy, you'll want to cook them for less time. Experiment a bit until you find the perfect time for you.

🤷To Soak or Not to Soak

It's probably the most common question when it comes to cooking dried beans. And honestly, the answer is a little complicated.

I have found that when cooking in the Instant Pot, presoaking does not make a big difference in the taste or the texture of the final bean. (FYI-this is not the case with all cooking methods. When cooking on the stove, soaked beans turn out way better)!

The benefit of pre-soaking beans when using an Instant Pot is that there will be a shorter cook time. Soaked beans cook faster than unsoaked beans.

As far as what soaking method to use, I have found that when using a pressure cooker most soaking techniques end up with very similar results. So if you want to pre-soak the beans, use one of the following methods that best fits your schedule:

• soak the beans in cold water, covered, for 6-8 hours
• soak the beans in hot water, covered, for 1 hour

It's always best to discard the water you've soaked the beans in and cook them using fresh water. This will get rid of any extra toxins or debris that may have come off in the water while soaking.

We have a whole series of blog posts about how to cook dry beans to perfection. If you'd like to check them out, start with Guide to Cooking Dry Beans, Part 1: To Soak or Not to Soak.

🥣 Storage

You can store your pressure cooked black beans in an air-tight container for 4-5 days in the fridge.

Cooked beans can also be easily frozen. It's a great idea to make a large batch and freeze portions so you can always have them ready to go. If you are planning on freezing your beans, I would also recommend cooking them so they are slightly firmer than you'd normally want them. They will soften up even more in the defrosting process.

Make sure your cooked black beans are completely cool before transferring to a freezer-friendly container. This will help prevent freezer burn. Store in the freezer for up to 6 months.

For best results, defrost your beans overnight in the fridge. You can also defrost them on a low setting in the microwave, stirring occasionally.

👪 Serving size

• There are about 3 cups of dried black beans in 1 pound.
  
• 1 cup of dried black beans makes about 2 and ¾ cup of cooked beans
  
• There are about 1.5 cups of beans in a can of black beans.

💪 Nutrition

Black beans are high in fiber and protein, which means that when you eat them, you'll fill up faster and stay full longer. They also have a lot of vitamins and minerals in them, like folate, B vitamins, and iron.

1 cup of cooked black beans contains roughly 227 calories.

For a full rundown of their nutritional values, check out the USDA's website.

🥗 Uses

Here are some of my favorite recipes from around the web:

Black Bean and Zucchini Rice Skillet

Vegetarian Taco Pasta with Black Beans

All American Black Bean Burger

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadillas

📖 Recipe