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A pressure cooker, or Instant Pot, is the quickest way to cook dried kidney beans. This plain and simple recipe will quickly yield delicious red kidney beans that you can use in any way you choose!
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Kidney beans are a popular legume known for their vibrant color, firm texture, and slightly sweet, nutty flavor. Packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients like iron and folate, they are a nutritious addition to a wide variety of dishes, from hearty chilis to refreshing salads.
I love using a pressure cooker to prepare kidney beans for many reasons!
- It's fast! You can save 1-2 hours when cooking unsoaked kidney beans in an Instant Pot, rather than on the stove.
- It's Convenient! With a pressure cooker, there is no need for constant monitoring during cooking. Just press a few buttons and walk away.
- Consistency! I find that using an Instant Pot results in even cooking and better texture for dried beans.
Let's get started cooking dried kidney beans in an Instant Pot!
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1: Using a colander, rinse dried kidney beans with clean water. This removes any dust or debris that has built up during storage. Remove any old or broken beans.
- Step 2: Add the rinsed beans into the pressure cooker bowl. Add water until all the beans are covered by at least an inch of liquid. Add salt and stir. Place the lid on the Instant Pot.
- Step 3: Cook on high pressure for 25 mins. Let natural pressure release for 15 minutes. Then, vent any remaining pressure.
- Step 4: Taste-test your red kidney beans to determine their desired consistency. If you prefer them softer, cook for 5 more minutes and then do a quick pressure release.
- Step 5: Drain kidney beans and use or store them immediately.
Why didn't you soak the beans?
The purpose of soaking dried beans is to help them cook quickly. I find presoaking dried beans helpful when cooking beans on the stove, but when it comes to using an Instant Pot, I don't think it's necessary.
After all, soaking usually takes about an hour to be effective, and pre-soaking the beans only reduces the cooking time by 17 minutes minutes in the Instant Pot.
However, if you do want to pre-soak your dried kidney beans, you can follow one of the following guides for step by step instructions.
Soaked kidney beans cook for 7-8 minutes in the pressure cooker, followed by a 15-minute natural release.
How To Overnight Soak Beans
This step-by-step guide will teach you how to prepare dried beans using the overnight or long soak method.
How To Quick Soak Beans
This step-by-step guide will teach you how to use the quick soak method.
How Many Beans Should I Make?
- There are about 2.5 cups of dried kidney beans in 1 pound.
- 1 cup of dried kidney beans makes about 2.75 cup of cooked beans.
- Cooking a full pound of dried kidney beans will give you almost 7 cups of cooked beans.
- There are about 1.5 cups of beans in a can of kidney beans.
Flavor Variations
I purposely kept this recipe very plain so your kidney beans could be used in any recipe. However, here are some ideas on how to add more flavor to your Instant Pot Kidney Beans.
- Add sauteed garlic and onions to the pot before cooking.
- Use broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable) instead of water.
- Add herbs like bay leaves or rosemary to the pot before cooking for subtle flavor throughout the dish.
- Add sauteed bacon for a rich umami flavor.
Storing Cooked Kidney Beans
Cooked red kidney beans should be stored in an air-tight container and will last in the fridge for 3-4 days.
They 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.
Ensure your cooked kidney beans are completely cool before transferring them to a freezer-friendly container. (Making sure they are completely cool will help prevent freezer burn). Store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
You Can Freeze Cooked Beans!
A step-by-step guide for freezing your cooked beans for optimal freshness.
Using Cooked Kidney Beans
Here are some of my favorite recipes from around the web that use cooked kidney beans.
Kidney Bean Nutrition
Kidney beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein. They are rich in fiber, which means they support digestive health and help maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Kidney beans are also packed with essential vitamins and minerals like iron, folate, and potassium, which contribute to heart health, boost energy, and help regulate blood pressure.
With their low-fat content and high antioxidant properties, kidney beans can play a key role in maintaining overall well-being.
Here is a nutrition label for 1 serving of cooked kidney beans.
Equipment
Here are some items you'll need to make this recipe. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying orders, at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting The Incredible Bulks!
There are A LOT of varieties of Instant Pots and pressure cookers on the market. My favorite is the Instant Pot Ultra because I love making yogurt in it. However, 99% of the time I use my Instant Pot I just use the "pressure cook" setting. So if you are looking for a less expensive model, you will get just as much bang for your buck with the Instant Pot Duo. I've also been hearing great things about the Ninja pressure cooker if you want a different brand.
If you don't have a fine mesh strainer I highly recommend getting a metal one. They are great for rinsing small grains, like rice and quinoa, because they can't fall through the mesh. The metal mesh strainers are a lot more durable than plastic or fabric ones. I've had holes rip in the plastic ones before.
Bellemain 5 Qt Metal Colander with Handle
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Cuisinart Mesh Strainers, 3 Count
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Kafoor 9" Large Fine Mesh Strainer with Thermo Plastic Rubber Handle
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I love using my Instant Pot to make dried kidney beans because it makes cooking faster, easier, and more convenient. I hope this guide has been helpful for you. Let me know if you have any more questions in the comment section down below. And I'd love to hear about your favorite way to eat kidney beans. I'm always on the hunt for new ways to eat these delicious beans.
✌️Ems
Recipe
Instant Pot Kidney Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound Dried Kidney Beans
- 1 teaspoon salt
- water
Instructions
- Using a colander, rinse dried kidney beans with clean water. This removes any dust or debris that has built up during storage. Remove any old or broken beans.
- Add the rinsed beans into the pressure cooker bowl. Add water until all the beans are covered by at least an inch of liquid. Add salt and stir. Place the lid on the Instant Pot.
- Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes (unsoaked*). It will take about 5-10 minutes for the pressure to build. After the 25 minutes is up, let hte pressure cooker naturally release the pressure for 15 minutes. Then, vent any remaining pressure.
- Taste-test your red kidney beans to determine their desired consistency. If you prefer them softer, cook for 5 more minutes and then do a quick pressure release.
- Drain kidney beans and use or store them immediately.
Ruby
It was really easy.