Lima Beans in Instant Pot

4.92 from 24 votes

Make hearty lima beans in Instant Pot with ham, broth, and savory seasonings. This easy recipe is perfect for a comforting meal or side dish.

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Instant Pot heating and release20

Total Time50

Course: Main Course, Dinner, Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Make Ahead, Easy Dinner, gluten-free, Instant Pot, dairy-free, pressure cooker, beans, instant pot lima beans, instant pot lima beans and ham, One Pot Meal

Servings: servings

Calories: 282kcal

Author: Renae Gerhardstein

Equipment

Instant Pot (or any electric pressure cooker)

Ingredients

1 pound dried lima beans, soaked overnight or quick soak (for non-soaked beans see notes below)
6 cups precooked ham, diced
3 cups chicken broth or stock, low sodium
3 cups water
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves

Optional:

1 ham hock or ham bone

Instructions

Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot or pressure cooker, ensuring you do not exceed the fill line of the pot. Lock pressure cooker lid into place, put pressure lever to seal (if needed). Cook at high pressure for 25 minutes.
After pressure cooking, allow pressure cooker to naturally release for 10 minutes, then initiate a quick release.
The beans will be soupy in texture. To thicken the beans, cook on sauté mode with lid off until desired thickness, stirring frequently. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Video

Notes

Also, you can make this soup with ham bone leftovers from Christmas or Easter to make this delicious lima bean soup recipe. Or try our ham in coke slow cooker recipe. While any precooked ham will add great flavor, using an actual ham bone or ham hock takes the savoriness to a whole other level.
For non-soaked beans, add 20 minutes to pressure cooking time for a total of 45 minutes.
While any precooked ham will add great flavor, using an actual ham bone or ham hock takes the savoriness to a whole other level.

Recipe Variations:

Ham hock swap: For deeper, smoky richness, use one large ham hock in place of some of the diced meat. If it’s meaty, reduce the amount of diced Instant Pot ham to about 3 cups so the flavors stay balanced.
Vegetarian version: To make it suitable for vegetarians, skip the meat and use vegetable broth. Add cannellini beans, red peppers, and finish with a splash of lime juice and chopped cilantro for brightness and depth.
Bacon-loaded beans: Replace the ham with a pound of sautéed and crumbled bacon for a salty, crispy edge. The bacon adds a delicious twist and pairs well with a squeeze of lime just before serving.

Storing Instructions:

Keep your cooled leftovers in an airtight container or storage in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This soup will also freeze well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition