Instant Pot Black Beans

Name: Instant Pot Black Beans
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1 pound dry black beans; 1 teaspoon salt; 3 cups hot water ((preheating your liquid saves time)); 3 cups hot chicken broth ((can substitute with more water)); 1 onion (quartered)

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This no-soak Instant Pot Black Beans recipe is so easy and delicious that you’ll never need to buy canned beans again!

Instant Pot Black Beans made into a stew in a green bowl.

Do you love black beans but don’t love how long they take to cook on the stovetop? If so, then you’ll love this recipe!

Pressure cooking them in the Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi makes them fast and easy. Plus, you don’t have to presoak them beforehand.

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Why We Love This Instant Pot Black Beans Recipe

Dry beans are a healthy and affordable way to get protein and fiber in your diet. Plus, they’re low in fat and calories.

They are also versatile, meaning you can add them to other meals like burritos, easy stovetop chili, and cowboy bean salad.

You can also freeze them and add them to Instant Pot meals, calico beans recipe crock pot, or serve them on their own.

But sometimes, cooking them the traditional way can be time-consuming. You have to soak beans overnight, then cook them for hours on the stovetop.

With this recipe, you can have them on the table in a fraction of the time! And, you don’t even have to presoak the beans beforehand – you’ll love this no-soak recipe.

Instant Pot black beans made into a dish called black beans and rice with fish.

Just add them to the pot with some water or broth, and let the pressure cooker do its thing. In no time, you’ll have perfectly cooked black beans ready to be used in your favorite recipes!

Love beans? Try our calico baked beans recipe, navy bean soup, and white beans in pressure cooker.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

labeled ingredients for black beans recipe.

Dry black beans – Since this is a no-soak recipe, presoaking is optional. For soaked black beans, you can reduce the natural pressure release time to 10 minutes.
Salt – This is optional and can be omitted or reduced depending on your dietary needs.
Hot water – preheating the liquid saves time.
Hot broth – We used chicken broth for this recipe but you could also use vegetable broth, beef broth, or just add more water.

Optional, but highly recommended:

Onion – for added flavor

Recipe Variations

For a little bit of spice, add a diced jalapeño pepper to the pot with the other ingredients.
To make them even more flavorful, sauté a diced onion and add it with the rest of the ingredients.
Add bay leaves, cumin, or other spices for even more flavor.
Garlic lovers can add a few cloves of minced garlic to the pot.
For a bit of acidity, add a splash of lime juice or white vinegar before cooking.

How to Cook Black Beans in Instant Pot

Rinse the beans. Rinse and pick through them, removing any shriveled ones or rocks.

Then pour them in the pot with the salt, broth, and water.

For added flavor, cut an onion into quarters and add that, too, like we have here.

Sliced onions placed into an Instant Pot.

🎯 TFN Pro Tip

Using hot water and broth helps bring the pot to pressure faster, reducing your cooking time.

Pressure cook Twist on the lid and turn or push the pressure lever (if needed). Set it to high pressure for 30 minutes.

Instant Pot set into high for 30 minutes.

After pressure cooking is done, allow the pressure to naturally release for 20 minutes, then do a quick release by twisting or pressing the pressure lever/button.

Ready to serve. Carefully remove the pot liner using a pot holder and drain them into a colander. Rinse until the water runs clear.

A scoop of cooked black beans using a wooden spoon in an Instant Pot.

You can serve them on their own as the main dish or use them in another recipe. You can also store them in the refrigerator or freezer to use later.

Instant Pot black beans made into a tasty stew placed in a white bowl.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many ways to enjoy this dish! Serve them on their own, as a side dish, or use them in another recipe. Here are some ideas:

Rice: Serve black beans over Instant Pot rice basmati or cooking brown rice in Instant Pot with chicken, diced avocado, shredded cheese, sweet potatoes, or pork chop pressure cooker for a simple and satisfying meal.
Mix with salsa, lime juice, and chopped cilantro for a delicious bean dip. Serve with tortilla chips or fresh veggies.
Mix with sautéed veggies and serve over pasta or rice for a quick and easy vegetarian meal.
Use them instead of ground beef in tacos, burritos, burrito bowls with corn, or enchiladas.
Stir into soups or stews for extra protein and flavor and taste or turn it into black beans soup.
Mash and use them as a spread on sandwiches or wraps.

Instant Pot black beans ready for storage placed in a Ziploc bag.

Recipe FAQs

What is the ratio of black beans to water for the Instant Pot?

The ratio of beans to water in an instant pot is 1 pound of dried beans to 6 cups of water. This is the same ratio for both soaked and unsoaked.

Can black beans be cooked without soaking?

Yes, they can be cooked without soaking. The cooking time is 30 minutes.

How long to cook black beans in an Instant Pot?

This recipe can be cooked under high pressure for 30 minutes. If you are using presoaked black beans, it will take about 15 minutes.

What is the bean setting on Instant Pot?

That is preset for 15 minutes and is the cooking time for presoaked black beans. If you don’t soak them ahead of time, you will need to cook them for 30 minutes.

How do I store, freeze, and reheat?

Cooked beans can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. To freeze, add them to a Ziplock freezer bag or an air-tight storage container and use them within 3 months.
To reheat, simply thaw (if frozen) and heat on the stove over low heat until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of water or broth if the beans seem dry.
You can also reheat them in the microwave. Place them in a microwave-safe dish and heat them on high power for one to two minutes. Stir them once or twice during cooking. If they seem dry, add some water or broth.

A tasty dish made of cooked black beans.

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