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No-soak Instant Pot Black Beans are the best way to cook black beans in only one hour. They're pressure cooked to perfection and recipe-ready!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- soaking optional - The beauty of this no soak recipe is that you can pressure cook dried black beans in one hour, or even less time for soaked beans.
- minimal prep - This recipe is as easy as rinsing black beans and placing them in the Instant pot with water and salt.
- quick-cooking - Pressure cooker beans will cook in a fraction of the time compared to other methods.
- no babysitting the stove - You can go live your life while the Instant Pot cooks the beans.
- healthy and nutritious - These black beans are naturally vegan, gluten free, and nutrient-loaded.
- save money - Dried beans are more cost-effective than canned beans.
- salt-optional - Add as much or as little salt as you like.
- versatile - You can use cooked black beans in countless Mexican recipes, such as refried black beans, chicken burrito bowls, taco bowls, black bean salsa, and taco pasta.
Ingredient notes
- dried black beans - Loaded with fiber, protein, and other essential nutrients. Also incredibly versatile for recipes and meal prep.
- water - Plain water works great, but any broth works too!
- sea salt - This is optional and can be added to taste after pressure cooking the beans.
How to make this recipe
These step-by-step photos show you how easy it is to cook black beans in the Instant Pot. You'll find the printable recipe card below.
Step 1. Add black beans, water, and (optional) salt to the Instant Pot. Close and lock the lid. Set the pressure release valve to the "Sealing" position.
Step 2. Pressure cook on HIGH 30 minutes (for no soak beans) or 15 minutes (for soaked beans). Allow a 20-minute natural pressure release (NPR). Turn pressure valve to "Venting" and release any remaining steam.
Step 3. Carefully open the lid and test the beans for desired softness. If the beans aren't soft enough, no problem! You can perform another short pressure cook cycle, such as 3 to 5 minutes, followed by pressure release.
Step 4. Serve and store pressure cooked black beans with or without the bean juice. To store, cool the beans completely and transfer to an airtight storage container. Refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze up to 90 days.
Recipe tips
- no soak or soaked - This no soak recipe accommodates soaked beans as indicated in the instructions.
- cook time may vary - The total pressure cook time may take longer than the recipe states, especially when using older beans or a larger Instant Pot.
- should you drain the beans? - I prefer to store cooked black beans in the delicious, gravy-like juice aka aquafaba because it keeps them moist and tender. It also adds texture and flavor. Of course, I will drain and discard, as needed.
- To freeze, cool the beans completely and store in freezer-safe packaging up to 90 days, or longer if vacuum sealed.
- To thaw, rest the frozen beans in the refrigerator for 24 hours and they'll be ready to heat and serve.
Recipe variations
- Feel free to substitute the water with your favorite broth for added flavor.
- Add spices or seasonings, such as chili powder, taco seasoning, cumin, paprika, or cayenne to the beans before pressure cooking.
How to use Instant Pot black beans
- Totchos [Tater Tot Nachos]
- Loaded Black Bean Dip
- Easy Tortilla Soup
- Vegetarian Enchiladas
- Vegan Chili Recipe
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Black Beans Recipe
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When scaling the recipe 2x or 3x, the gray ingredient note stays the same. Adjust quantities accordingly.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Dried Black Beans, same as 2 cups
- 6 cups Water (for no soak beans), 4 cups (for soaked)
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt, optional
Instructions
- Sort and rinse dry BLACK BEANS. If soaking, continue to step 2. If using the no-soak option, skip to step 3.
- To soak black beans, place them in a large bowl with 8 cups water and soak for 8 hours. Drain and rinse.Note: Reduce the water amount to 4 cups in the next step.
- Place BLACK BEANS, WATER, and (optional) SALT in the Instant Pot.
- Secure lid and turn pressure release valve to “ Sealing” position. Select “manual” or “pressure cook" on HIGH for 30 minutes (for no-soak option) and 15 minutes (for soaked beans).Note: It takes at least 20 minutes for the Instant Pot to fully pressurize.
- When cook cycle ends, allow the cooker to sit undisturbed for a 20-minute natural pressure release (NPR).
- Safely turn pressure release valve to “Venting” position to release any remaining steam. Open the lid and test beans for softness.If needed, run another pressure cook cycle for 3 to 5 minutes followed by NPR until beans are soft to your liking.
- Serve warm.
- To store, allow beans to cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days or freeze up to 30 days (or more if vacuum sealed).
Recipe Notes
- soak or no soak - This no soak recipe accommodates soaked beans as indicated in the instructions.
- cook time may vary - The total pressure cook time may take longer than the recipe states, especially when using older beans.
- drain or no drain - I prefer to store cooked black beans in the delicious gravy-like juice aka aquafaba because it keeps them moist and tender. It also adds texture and flavor. Of course, I will drain and discard, as needed.
- To freeze, cool the beans completely and store in freezer-safe packaging up to 90 days, or longer if vacuum sealed.
- To thaw, rest the frozen beans in the refrigerator for 24 hours and they'll be ready to heat and serve.
Equipment
- 6-quart Instant Pot or other size pressure cooker
- colander to rinse beans
Olivia says
I left it 30 mins on natural release. They are perfect! So happy to find a recipe! Thank you!
Traci says
Yay!! I'm pretty crazy about black beans in the Instant Pot too! Love that soft texture and gravy sauce! Thanks for taking the time to let me know your experience. Enjoy!! xoxo
JB says
Pressure cooker black beans really are game changer, especially since we don't have to soak them. Black beans are actually getting made more often. Love this method!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yessss! I'm so glad you love them as much as I do 🙂 And they make the best refried beans!
Eileen Kelly says
These beans blow away my local place for the best beans ever. The recipe is so easy and the results are a delicious side dish. Will make them often.
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome, Eileen! The feeling is quite mutual. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
cyndy says
Thank you for the perfect instructions. This was my first go around with black beans in the IP and they turned out great. Will be freezing and eating these all month.
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay, Cyndy! So glad to hear it 🙂 I'll probably never cook black beans any other way!
Luci says
I love instant pot black beans! They're so easy and always taste delicious! Plus, they're perfect for when I'm meal prepping!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay, glad to hear it, Luci! They are so easy and delicious and we love to meal prep them too! Yay Instant Pot!
Julie says
I use black beans in so many dishes. Will have to try this.
The Kitchen Girl says
Oh awesome! Yes, us too! It was imperative that we create an Instant Pot black bean recipe and we LOVE how this turns out every time! 🙂 Enjoy!
Jeff says
These black beans come out perfect every time I make them. I hate soaking, mostly because I always forget lol, so I love that about this recipe.