Instant Pot Black Beans (No Soak)
Instant pot black beans are so incredibly easy, you will never have to buy the canned version again!
Make for any recipe you need in under 1 hour, no need to soak the black beans in advance. Pressure cooker black beans is the perfect way to cook dried beans!
Why you will love this recipe
- So much faster than stovetop! Make cook black beans from dry, no soaking needed in about 1 hour.
- This recipe does not use seasoning, so you can use them any way you want in recipes! The finished product here is the same as buying canned black beans, just no canning required!
- Budget friendly! One pound of black beans is typically between $1-3, which is the cost of one can of black beans. You will get 3-4 cans worth of black beans from 1 pound of dried.
Why make your own black beans
One pound of dried black beans (also called turtle beans or black turtle beans) costs about $2.50 per pound for organic (and even cheaper for non-organic) and will make 5 cups of cooked black beans to use in recipes.
It is less expensive to make your own beans than to buy canned, and you don’t have to worry about added sodium or BPA in cans.
You can freeze black beans once they are cooked for later recipes if you don’t plan on using them all in 3 days.
Black beans are low in fat, packed with soluble fiber, a great source of vegetarian protein and also have vitamins, minerals (like zinc, magnesium and iron), and antioxidants. They are an inexpensive way to add lots of fiber and protein to any meal!
Ingredients
- Water: No special water required, you can use filtered or straight from the tap.
- Dried Black Beans: I use organic dried that I buy in bulk. Typically 1 pound = 2 1/4 cup dried beans.
How to cook black beans in the instant pot (no soaking)
- Add the dried black beans to the Instant Pot. Pick out any rocks or debris and quickly rinse with fresh water. Discard this water.
- Add 5 cups of water to the black beans in the Instant Pot and cook for 25 minutes under high pressure. This creates pretty soft beans. If you want less tender beans, only use 4 cups of water, cooking the same amount of time).
Let the pressure naturally release. - Drain off the cooking liquid and rinse the black beans. Store in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container or freeze for up to 2 months.
How to make black beans cook faster in the instant pot
If you want the black beans to cook faster in the pressure cooker, soak them in advance!
How to soak dry black beans
- In a large bowl (that can easily fit 8 cups of water) add the dried beans. Pick out any rocks or debris and quickly rinse with fresh water, just getting off any dirt or dust. Drain off that water and discard it.
- Add 8 cups of fresh water over the beans and allow to sit on the counter overnight.
Tip: If your house is hot, especially in the summer, it is best to store the beans in the fridge overnight as they can start to ferment on the counter in hot weather - After soaking overnight (or about 8 hours), drain the water fand discard it. Rinse the beans and add them to the pressure cooker.
How to cook soaked black beans in the instant pot
- Cover with 5 cups of fresh water and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. This will create pretty soft beans. If you want them less tender, only cook for 8 minutes under high pressure.
- Let the pressure naturally release.
- Drain off the cooking liquid and rinse the black beans. Store in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container or freeze for up to 2 months.
Black bean common questions
In my experience, I did not notice any difference in the black beans that soaked overnight and those that cooked directly in the Instant Pot from dry. I make sure to discard the water from cooking and rinse the beans, as I think that the cooking liquid often makes the beans harder to digest.
Many people swear that you have to soak the beans overnight. Some even add apple cider vinegar to the beans to make them easier to digest. I don’t bother with the vinegar when I soak them overnight, as I have not noticed a difference.
I do however find that It’s really important to discard the soaking liquid and take the time to rinse off the beans before cooking, as this is what makes them easier to digest for me.
I also like my beans to be a bit softer (as the recipes indicate). I find that the firmer beans are a bit harder to digest, even though they are fully cooked. If you want the easiest to digest, follow the recipes as written.
How to store black beans
How long do black beans last in the fridge?
I typically do not store them for more than 3-4 days in the fridge once cooked.
I do not store beans in any water or liquid but I do make sure I don’t leave them in the fridge for too long. Beans that are left in the fridge too long start to get slimy and will start to ferment.
You can also store them in fresh water in a container in the fridge if you prefer. Some people like to store the beans in the liquid they cooked in, however I find that this liquid upsets my stomach so I discard it immediately.
Can you freeze black beans?
Yes! Start by rinsing the black beans from the cooking liquid. Allow them to fully cool after cooking (you may want to rinse them with cold water for a few minutes to speed this up).
Once the beans are cool and rinsed, add them to a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.
I like to freeze the silicone bag full of beans flat to make it as compact as possible Don’t forget to add a date, as well as how many cups are included directly on the bag.
What to make with black beans
Since these black beans are not seasoned, they are just like buying store bought. This means you can use them for anything you want! You can go sweet or savory!
Some of my favorite ways to use them are:
- In Soup
- In Brownies
- Stuffed in Sweet Potatoes
- 5 Ingredient Burgers
- 3 Ingredient Dip
- Over Sweet Potato Nachos
- In Sweet Potato Chili
- Tacos
- Burrito Bowls
- As a salad topping
If you love this recipe, you should try
No Soak Instant Pot Black Beans
$2.50 recipe/$0.31 servingIngredients
- 1 pound dried black beans - $2.50
- 5 cups water - $0.00
Instructions
- Add the dried black beans to the insert for the Instant Pot. Pick through them for rocks or debris.
- Rinse the beans quickly with some clean water and discard this water.
- Add the rinsed beans back to the Instant Pot and cover with 5 cups of water.
- Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.
- Allow the pressure to naturally release.
- Drain the water from cooking. Use like the canned version in any recipe. Store in the fridge 3-4 days.
Equipment
- Pressure cooker
Notes
- No soak: Change water from 5 cups to 4 cups. Do not change cooking time.
