Instant Pot Black Beans - the easiest way to cook black beans without soaking, right in your pressure cooker. Use in salads, main dishes and soups!
Black beans are so easy to make in the pressure cooker. You can also make delicious Refried Beans or Beans and Rice.
I have a lot of reasons to love my Instant Pot and being able to cook beans in minutes instead of hours, and all of that without soaking might just be my favorite thing. No more cans of beans needed! Now, I can add black beans and water to the insert of my IP and cook them in 30 minutes, ready to be used in tacos, salads and casseroles. There are no toxins, no additives added, the beans are freezable and this method is very budget-friendly.
Ingredients:
- dry black beans
- water
- salt
- apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
I tested the recipe with various amounts of water and 2 cups of black beans. The myth is that cooking beans requires a lot of water. The pressure cooker method allows you to cut the amount. A lot of recipes call for up to 8 cups of water for 2 cups of beans. I use 5 and the results are great.
- Simply add beans and water to your IP insert, add salt and apple cider vinegar.
- Set to cook on high pressure.
- Release pressure naturally.
- Drain beans and use right away or divide into portions and store for later.
Cooking time:
I tested this recipe with various times of cooking. The longer the time, the more broken down the beans were. I had the best results when the beans were cooked for 30 minutes for 2 cups of dry black beans. They were perfectly cooked and soft yet not mushed. Great for salads, soups, tacos and burritos. I also tested this recipe with QPR (Quick Pressure Release) and NPR (Natural Pressure Release). If you let the Instant Pot release the pressure naturally, the beans will keep their shape better and won't burst as much. If you are short on time, wait 5 minutes then switch the valve to "venting" position to release the pressure quickly. The beans will still be great, but the skin might burst a little. Natural pressure release is the best.
How many beans does it make?
For reference, 1 pound of black beans is about 2 cups. Cooking them in the IP will result in 5 cups of beans.
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
One 15 ounce can of black beans equals to about 1,5 cups.
How to de-gas black beans?
After some research, I found that adding vinegar to cooking beans helps to de-gas them, which can prevent the unpleasant effect of consuming beans. I add 1 and ½ of a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (keep the white vinegar for cleaning!) to each batch.
Freezing
I store them in 1,5 cup portions (equal to 1 can of beans, which most recipes will call for), perfect for tacos, burritos, salads and casseroles for our 5-people family.
What to make with black beans?
- Black Bean Taco Salad
- Mexican Chicken and Rice Skillet
- Black Bean Quinoa Enchiladas
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Quinoa Salad
More Instant Pot recipes:
- Instant Pot Fluffy Rice
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Instant Pot 1-Minute Quinoa
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Taco Meat (from frozen)
- Instant Pot Yogurt
For more recipes like this one, feel free to browse our Instant Pot Category.
Check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners, filled with all the info you need to get started with your new appliance! Seeing BURN message on your IP? Read my Instant Pot Burn Message post to learn why and how to save your dish.
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀
Instant Pot Black Beans
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry black beans
- 5 cups cold tap water
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Make sure the stainless steel insert is inside the Instant Pot.
- Add beans and water to the insert and stir. Add salt and vinegar and stir.2 cups dry black beans, 5 cups cold tap water, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Close the Instant Pot with lid, turn the valve to "sealing" position.
- Set to "manual" and adjust the timer to 30 minutes. Make sure the IP is set to high pressure.
- The Instant Pot will beep and start coming to pressure. It takes about 12 minutes for my IP to do that.
- When the timer is done, the IP will beep. Press "cancel/off" button and let the pressure cooker release the pressure naturally. If you are short on time, wait 5 minutes, then switch the valve to "venting".
- When the pressure is released, carefully open the lid away from your face.
- Drain the beans. Discard the liquid or use as a base for soups!
- Divide the beans into 1,5 cup portions and store in ziploc bags in the freezer or fridge, if using throughout the week.
Notes
- If you want add flavor to the beans, you can saute garlic and onion (and even peppers!) before adding beans and water to the Instant Pot. Also, season with cumin, bay leaves and of course, salt and pepper.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on June 4th, 2018 and updated on September 24th, 2019.
Donna says
I think I need an extra freezer 🙂 I stopped buying refried beans and have been making them in the instant pot, but now my next project is definitely going to be the black beans, especially seeing as they sound so easy!
Kris says
We east black beans nearly every week. An absolute favorite of ours, and you are so right, the canned variety does not measure up to soaking and cooking. I have never made them in my IP, but you've got me so excited, I'm going to tonight to serve with fajitas. Love the additional tip of adding garlic, onion and peppers. Yes! Thanks for the recipe!
Dana says
Is there anything the Instant Pot can't do? I'm still guilty of buying beans in cans, because gah, SO EASY. But I really need to try this. This could be a game-changer. Especially with the no-soak. I *always* forget to soak when I buy my beans dry… hence the usual purchase of cans. Lol.
Julie says
I tried with an insert (I have a steamer basket) and it didn’t work. All the water was at the bottom and the beans weren’t cooked yet. I wasn’t sure if I used the correct insert.
Alison says
You don’t use an insert. She is referring to the pot at the start of the directions
michele says
I must admit I hadn't thought of trying beans in the instant pot... silly me. So much easier than soaking them overnight! And what a time saver- definitely going to remember this for future recipes!
Marisa Franca says
I wish I had an Insta-Pot! There are so many interesting recipes I want to try -- especially this one. We really enjoy our beans and find them an excellent source of protein and fiber. Thank you for the vinegar tip . We'll be sure to use it.
Sandra says
I haven’t tried beans in my IP yet. Now that I know fresh beans only take 20 minutes I’ll be making a batch this week! Great idea to add a variety of flavors. I bet mild chili’s will be a tasty addition.
Jennifer Bigler says
I love pressuring cooking black beans. It so easy and inexpensive. I haven't tried it with 6 cups of water though, so I will be trying that next time. Homemade beans are the best because they are budget friendly and so much healthier than the canned beans. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Sarah says
This is the main way that I think I'd use an Instant Pot! Dried beans are so much cheaper, but I just don't have time to cook them. This looks so cool- and I love the vinegar tip!
Carmy says
I'm one of those people who LOVE to QR their IP instead of being patient and NPR it haha. Thanks for the compromise of 5 mins NPR and then QR for impatient folks like me! I love how easy this this - thanks for testing all the different cook times!
Gloria says
I do not have an Instant Pot....but I do have a regular pressure cooker. This is a great way to prepare beans. Black beans are so delicious....and a great meat alternative. You can use them so many different ways too.
Michelle says
I think I need to try this. The reason I use canned so often is because of the time involved with dried!
Sabrina says
What a great way to take the hassle out of homemade beans!
Jen says
I've been using my IP more and more. Can't wait to try this! BTW, thanks fo the vinegar tip!
Demeter says
Love how easy and quick this is! Yay for the IP!!
I Heart Naptime says
So easy and fast!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Exactly!
Susie says
What a great post! I can tell that you really took time to test how to cook black beans in an instant pot. I love all of the meal ideas and recipe ideas you have for using the black beans at the end of the post. I am obsessed with my instant pot so I want to try this right away!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
I am so glad it is helpful, Susie! I use my IP almost every day and love it!