This post contains affiliate links.
Using an Instant Pot is the best way to prepare Navy beans quickly. Pressure cooking is a "set and forget" method, making it so easy. Plus, you don't even need to pre-soak your beans! Let's get cooking!
Jump to:
- Why Cook Navy Beans in the Instant Pot?
- Ingredients and Equipment
- How Much to Make?
- Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Navy Beans in an Instant Pot
- Serving Ideas
- Storage and Meal Prep Tips
- Troubleshooting and Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Nutrition
- Recipe
- Conclusion
- More Navy Bean Recipes
- Dried Beans like a Pro!
- Reviews
Why Cook Navy Beans in the Instant Pot?
Using a pressure cooker will always be my favorite way to prepare dried beans. Here's why:
- Speed & Convenience: It's the fastest way to prepare navy beans, plus no soaking is required. Your navy beans will be ready in under an hour.
- Flavor & Texture: It does the best job of consistently achieving creamy, tender beans.
- Less Energy Consumption: A pressure cooker uses less energy than stovetop cooking.
- Cost-Effectiveness: More economical than canned beans. To save money, but still enjoy the convenience of a can of beans, cook up a big batch of navy beans and freeze them in individual portions for later. Check out "You Can Freeze Beans" to learn more.
To learn more about why Navy Beans are so awesome, check out: Navy Beans 101: History, Health Benefit, and How to Cook with this Pantry Staple.
And if you'd like to learn about how navy beans differ from other white beans, check out "Navy Beans vs Great Northern Beans."
Ingredients and Equipment
Equipment Needed
- Instant Pot or similar electric pressure cooker
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Fine mesh strainer
Basic Ingredients
- Dry navy beans
- Water
- Salt
Optional Add-ins for Flavor
I like to keep my instant pot navy beans unflavored so I can add them into any recipe I want, but If you're looking for ways to give your beans a bit more flavor, here's what I recommend.
- Herbs: Thyme, bay leaves, rosemary, sage, or parsley add fresh, aromatic notes. If using fresh herbs, a small sprig is usually enough. If using dried herbs, I like to start with 1 teaspoon per herb. You can always add more or less depending on your taste preference.
- Vegetables: Adding sauteed onions and garlic is a great way to bring a delicious flavor to your pressure cooked navy beans. You can also add in sauteed celery or carrots.
- Broths: Cooking beans in vegetable, chicken, or ham broth, instead of water, infuses them with rich, savory flavor.
How Much to Make?
1 pound (about 2 cups) of dried navy beans makes about 4 cups of cooked beans.
1 can of navy beans contains about 1 ½ cups of beans.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Navy Beans in an Instant Pot
- Rinse and Sort: Place beans in a fine mesh strainer. Rinse under cold water, removing any debris or damaged beans.
- Add to Instant Pot: Transfer rinsed beans to the Instant Pot. Add 6 cups of water or broth, as well as any spices or herbs you are choosing to add.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid and turn to make sure it properly seals. Select "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" on high pressure for 25 minutes. It will take approximately 10-15 minutes to come to pressure.
- Natural Release: Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes. Afterward, carefully turn the valve to "Venting" to release any remaining pressure. Remove the lid and discard any fresh herbs you've placed in the Instant Pot. Drain away any remaining water.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Serving Ideas
Once you've cooked your delicious navy beans, there are a lot of great ways to enjoy them. You can serve them as a side dish, over rie or in soups. You can even mash them to make a dip or spread. Here are some of my favorite recipes for navy beans.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Refridgeration
Cooked Navy beans can be stored in air-tight containers for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Freezing
Cooked Navy beans can be stored in air-tight containers for up to 3 months. I recommend storing them in 1 ½ cup sized servings because that is about how much is in a can of navy beans.
For a full tutorial on how to freeze cooked beans so they don't turn out mushy later, check out "You Can Freeze Beans."
Reheating
Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. Add a splash of water or broth if beans have thickened and stir occasionally.
You can also reheat in the microwave. I recommend reheating in 45 second increments, stirring between each 45 seconds.
Meal Prep Tips
I love making a big batch of homecooked navy beans that I can add to different recipes throughout the week. Navy beans have such a mild flavor that they pair with pretty much anything, plus they are a great source of plant protein. Try adding them as a topping of your next salad at lunch, or as an extra ingredient in a soup at dinner time.
Troubleshooting and Tips
There are a couple of reasons your beans are too firm after following the cooking instructions.
Age: Your beans may have an older shelf life. Older beans require longer cooking
Pressure Cooker: Every pressure cooker works a little differently. Different sizes, brands, and even kitchen temperatures can affect the way a pressure cooker works.
Solution: Seal the lid back onto the pressure cooker and add another 3-5 minutes, depending on how firm your beans were.
If your beans end up too mushy, it means they've been overcooked. Every pressure cooker works a little differently. Different sizes, brands, and even kitchen temperatures can affect the way a pressure cooker works.
Next time you make pressure-cooked navy beans, try reducing the cook time by 5 minutes.
I know it's disappointing if your beans are too mushy, but they don't have to go to waste! Try one of these recipes:
Simple Mashed Beans
Garlic White Bean Mash with Lemon and Thyme
Mashed White Bean Sandwich
Pro Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Navy Beans
- Use Fresh Beans: Older beans take longer to cook and may not soften properly.
- Natural Release: Allows beans to finish cooking gently and prevents splitting.
- Don't Skip the Salt: I know it's tempting to leave the salt out of this recipe, but a little salt goes a long way to making fresh navy beans taste amazing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Instant Pot allows you to cook dried navy beans without soaking. However, soaking can reduce cooking time and may improve digestibility.
If your navy beans are soaked (typically 8-12 hours or overnight), you can reduce the Instant Pot cooking time significantly. Try cooking them on High Pressure for 10-12 minutes, instead of XXX. Then allow the pressure to release 15 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
There is a myth floating around the internet saying that you should add salt after cooking beans because the salt can cause the skin to be tough.
According to experiments done by the NY Times Cooking department, this is not true. You should add salt at the beginning of the cooking process and your beans will be better seasoned because of it.
Nutrition
Navy beans are a highly nutritious legume packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and essential micronutrients like folate, iron, magnesium, and potassium.
They support heart health by helping to lower cholesterol and regulate blood pressure, while their high fiber content promotes digestive health and stable blood sugar levels. Low in fat and calories, navy beans are an excellent addition to a balanced diet.
Here's a nutrition label for a serving of unseasoned navy beans.
Recipe
Instant Pot Navy Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb dry navy beans (about 2 cups)
- 6 cups water
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Rinse and Sort: Place beans in a fine mesh strainer. Rinse under cold water, removing any debris or damaged beans.
- Add to Instant Pot: Transfer rinsed beans to the Instant Pot. Add 6 cups of water or broth, as well as any spices or herbs you are choosing to add*.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid and turn to make sure it properly seals. Select "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" on high pressure for 25 minutes. It will take approximately 10-15 minutes to come to pressure.
- Natural Release: Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes. Afterward, carefully turn the valve to "Venting" to release any remaining pressure. Remove the lid and discard any fresh herbs you've placed in the Instant Pot. Drain away any remaining water.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- Herbs: Thyme, bay leaves, rosemary, sage, or parsley add fresh, aromatic notes. If using fresh herbs, a small sprig is usually enough. If using dried herbs, I like to start with 1 teaspoon per herb. You can always add more or less depending on your taste preference.
- Vegetables: Adding sauteed onions and garlic is a great way to bring a delicious flavor to your pressure cooked navy beans. You can also add in sauteed celery or carrots.
- Broths: Cooking beans in vegetable, chicken, or ham broth, instead of water, infuses them with rich, savory flavor.
Nutrition
Conclusion
Cooking navy beans in the Instant Pot is a simple, nutritious, and time-saving way to enjoy this versatile legume. Whether you're making a hearty soup, a creamy dip, or just prepping for the week, this no-soak method delivers tender, flavorful beans with minimal effort.
Ready to give it a try? Grab your Instant Pot, follow the steps, and let us know how your navy beans turn out in the comments below-or share your favorite way to enjoy them!
✌️ Ems
More Navy Bean Recipes
Learn to cook
Dried Beans like a Pro!
Favorite resources for mastering homemade beans.
Nina
Turned out perfect. Thanks