Easy, foolproof and perfect every time Instant Pot Black Beans with only 2 ingredients and in 30ish minutes. This simple recipe uses dried beans and no pre-soaking. Versatile beans can be used in so many recipes.
Instant Pot black bean soup is another quick recipe that requires no soaking of beans.
Table of contents
Pre-soaking and cooking dried beans on the stove can be very time-consuming but what if I told you this Instant Pot black beans recipe lets you in on a secret?
The simple science behind perfectly firm, non-mushy beans, is something I stumbled upon after trying over 10 times!
And what if I told you, you could achieve it all with only 2 ingredients, 15 minutes, and no pre-soaking?
I am so excited to share with you this simple process of cooking dry black beans in the Instant Pot. We also love Instant Pot kidney beans for same reasons!
Why Cook Black Beans in Instant Pot?
- Budget-friendly which means you can make a lot more than comes in a can from the store.
- Quick and easy so these delicious beans can actually be done on any busy weeknight. Make-ahead to streamline meal prep. Lunches for days!
- Vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly.
- Effortless recipe because it’s really just a set-it-and-forget-it recipe! There is very minimal clean-up as well.
- Health benefits of black beans include high fiber and protein content, and you avoid all that sodium that comes with canned beans.
- Can easily be doubled or tripled for when you want to make more.
- Freezer friendly which is nice because you can freeze them and save yourself a little time down the road.
Ingredients You Will Need
You really need only 2 simple ingredients to make Instant Pot black beans.
- Dried black beans: You will need to rinse the beans with cold water and then drain just to make sure to get all of the dirt off. No soaking required.
- Cold water: It is very important not to use warm water, so the cooking time is not thrown off. You’ll soon understand why.
- Salt (optional): Sometimes I add a pinch to bring out flavor but more often than not, I leave it out. This is especially important when I know I’ll be using my beans for baking.
Recipe Tip
Testing how to cook perfect black beans in Instant Pot in two different size pots was life changing.
How to Cook Black Beans in Instant Pot
I’ve done the leg work, so all you need to do is follow my easy simple-step guide on how to cook dried black beans in an Instant Pot and achieve perfectly cooked firmer beans every time.
I also explain the slight differences between how to get the same results using different-sized Instant Pots which means you can make a big batch for pennies!
- Prep the beans by rinsing in a colander under cold water. Drain completely and don’t soak.
- Combine beans and cold water in Instant Pot. No need to stir and you can add a pinch of salt. Close the lid and turn valve to sealing position.
- Cook on High Pressure for 12 minutes. On some models, you have to press Pressure Cook button and select High pressure. The simpler model, Lux, has a Manual button and cooks only with high pressure. Press that one.
- Pressure release: For 6 quart Instant Pot, let pressure come down on its own called Natural Release. Do not do Quick Release, your beans will be undercooked. For 8 quart Instant Pot, wait for 10 minutes and only then release remaining pressure by turning the venting knob. Important difference from 6 quart. If you let your 8 quart electric pressure cooker release pressure naturally all the way, black beans will be overcooked.
- Drain, rinse and cool off black beans: When float pin is down, it is safe to open the pot. I like to rinse cooked beans under gentle stream of cold water. Then drain excess liquid, cool and use in recipes.
Tips for Best Results
- Cold water: Always use cold water. Warm or hot water will change cook time.
- 3 quart Instant Pot: I don’t have one, so can’t say how long. I would try 15 minutes with natural pressure release and adjust accordingly for the future.
- Stovetop: Check out my detailed tutorial how to make beans on the stove.
- Be gentle: Handle tender black beans carefully with a metal spoon. They are delicate and tender.
- Bean broth: Do not discard the cooking liquid. It is a delicious and nutritious veggie broth. Use as a base for making soups like Instant Pot black bean soup and mushroom bean soup.
How to Season Them
This is a basic straightforward recipe that will get you straight-up cooked black beans. If you would like to add a little extra flavor to your Instant Pot black beans and serve as a side dish, there are some things you could try.
- Add a few wedges of yellow onion in there just to infuse some flavor. You can even leave the skin on.
- Whole cloves of garlic would be another aromatic you could use.
- Use vegetable broth instead of water.
- Toss in some bay leaf and add seasonings like cumin, oregano, cayenne, chili powder for added taste. All to your personal taste, you can always add more later.
- For Mexican black beans, add fresh herbs like chopped fresh cilantro and fresh lime juice after cooking.
How to Use Instant Pot Black Beans
Black beans are my favorite beans because of their mild taste, small size and ability to hold their shape. They are also highly nutritious and satisfying and because they are a good source of protein they keep me full longer.
Try Instant Pot black beans in our family favorite recipes:
- Black bean quinoa casserole
- Mango black bean salad
- Black bean and corn salsa
- Black bean brownies
- Black bean burgers
- Black bean quinoa salad
How to Substitute for Canned Black Beans in Recipes?
To substitute canned beans with Instant Pot black beans in recipes all you have to know is that one standard can of about 14-15 ounces equals 1.5 cups of drained cooked black beans. If you recipe calls for one can, measure out 1.5 cups. If it calls for 2 cans of beans, measure out 3 cups. And so on and so forth.
Storage Recommendations
Fridge: Refrigerate cooked black beans in an airtight container well for up to 5 days. You can use them in place of canned black beans with a ratio of 1.5 cups drained cooked beans = 15 oz can.
Freezer: I like to triple the recipe at a time and freeze black beans for later. To replace canned beans, measure in 1.5 cups portions into resealable sandwich bag, let the air out and seal well to avoid freezer burn.
Freeze for up to 6 months. I rinse, dry, and put away bags to use for next time. It is more environmentally friendly.
To thaw: Place the bag with frozen Instant Pot black beans on a counter for a few hours or in the fridge overnight. You could also place it in a bowl with hot water for 5 minutes and then drain it.
FAQs
This recipe is specific to 3 cups of water to every 1 cup of dried black beans. To double the recipe it would become 6 cups of water to every 2 cups of black beans, and so on. Always keeping the same cook time.
1 pound of dry black beans is just over 2 cups or around 7 ounces. Once they are cooked, you will end up with a bit over 5 cups. To replace one standard 15 ounce can of black beans, use 1.5 cups of cooked and drained Instant Pot black beans.
No. If you really want to pre-soak your beans, for improved digestion, you could but then you would need to adjust the cook time for soaked beans.
Total cook time with pressure build up and coming down is about 35-40 minutes. The actual pressure cooking time is 12 minutes on high pressure.
Your black beans could be old, low quality or there wasn’t enough liquid. Also if you live at high altitude, you might have to adjust the cook time.
More Instant Pot Recipes to Try
- Instant Pot garbanzo beans
- Instant Pot baked beans
- Instant Pot rice and beans
- Instant Pot refried beans
Alternately, you can browse my collection of 45 healthy Instant Pot recipes.
Instant Pot Black Beans
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried black beans rinsed & drained
- 3 cups cold water
- Pinch salt optional
Instructions
- In Instant Pot, add black beans and cold water.
- For 6 Quart Instant Pot: Close the lid, set pressure vent to Sealing and press Pressure Cooking on High for 12 minutes.
- After cooking is done, let 6 quart Instant Pot bring pressure down on its own – Natural Release. Do not do Quick Release, your beans will be undercooked or fall apart.
- For 8 Quart Instant Pot: Close the lid, set pressure vent to Sealing and press Pressure Cooking on High for 12 minutes.
- After cooking is done, let 8 quart Instant Pot bring pressure down on its own for 10 minutes and then release remaining pressure immediately. If you let your 8 Quart Instant Pot release pressure naturally all the way, black beans will be overcooked.
- Open the lid. That’s it! Your Instant Pot black beans are ready.
Notes
- Store: Cooked black beans refrigerate well for up to 5 days. You can use them in place of canned black beans with a ratio of 1.5 cups drained cooked beans = 15 oz can.
- Freeze for later: Drain and rinse with cold water. Measure 1.5 cups (equal to a 15 oz can drained) into sandwich bags, let air out, seal and freeze for up to 6 months.
- Thaw: Place bag with frozen black beans on a counter for a few hours or in the fridge overnight. You could also place it in a bowl with hot water for 5 minutes and then drain it.
- Broth: Do not discard the liquid. Use as a base for making any soup. Especially, Instant Pot black bean soup
- It is super important to use cold water not to alter cook time.
- For 3 quart Instant Pot, I would cook beans for 15 minutes with natural release and go from there.
Great recipe!
Especially like your tested with different size pots.
My pleasure, Joe.
If I wanted to cook another type of dried bean would you use the same method in the instant pot, for example, navy beans?
Hi Anne! This recipe is specific for black beans. I had to test it over 10 times to ensure perfect black beans. I haven’t tried it with navy beans. But I do have an instant pot chickpea recipe:
https://ifoodreal.com/instant-pot-chickpeas/
Thank you! I read that you tested 10 times. Thank you for that. I used mine for black bean burrito bowls. Delicious, by the way. I’m going to take a look at your brownies recipe now.
Okay I found it on your stovetop you can do three pounds how much do you think you can do in the instant pot? I’d like to do a big amount
I go by eyeballing as long as there is room for beans to double.
Olena, when you triple the recipe do you triple the water or as you say just eyeball it and add just to cover? Also is the timing the same when you cook a larger amount? Thank you for all your time figuring this out and sharing your expertise. Also would this same recipe work for garbanzos do you think???
Hi Sandra. Usually I am an “eyeball it” girl but because black beans overcook easily, I say measure water as well. So, you triple beans and water and keep same cook time.
For chickpeas, use my Instant Pot chickpeas recipe. Time is different!
Only my 3rd time using my 6 qrt IP. The black beans came out perfectly! Doubled the recipe and froze half and used the other half in chili and Salad bowl recipes. Absolutely no stomach issues as the beans were cooked the way they should be. I am shocked I did not need to pre-soak them first. This is a total game changer for me. No more canned beans!
Woohoo!
Followed instructions for my 6qt instant pot and they came out perfectly! Used 1c black beans and 3c water. Boom, amazing. Thank you Olena.
So happy to hear this Anna! You are very welcome.
Perfect for my black bean brownies
That is what I mostly cook black beans for. And for the mango black bean salad and other salads too.
First time using my insta pot. Simple and easy.
Awesome!!! Happy to hear, George.
Would this work for green lentils? Or any advice on how long it would take to cook dried lentils?
I have not tested lentils yet. In a soup – yes, but not on their own. Lentils do not cook same as beans so I can’t say. Sorry.
Instant Pot black beans came out perfect. Thanks so much!!!