Learn how to cook dried black beans, no soaking required! Make a batch of Instant Pot Black beans at the beginning of the week for meal prep!
Instant Pot Black Beans
It’s time to finally grab that back of dried black beans out of the back of your pantry my friends.
What is it about cooking dried beans that always feels so tedious? Maybe it’s having to remember to soak them the night before, or the seemingly endless amount of time they need to simmer away on the stove. Well, I’m here to tell you that not only will making a fresh batch of dried black beans taste better than canned, but it can also be super easy!
I love keeping a batch of cooked beans in my fridge. They’re packed full of fiber, protein B vitamins and iron and they’re super versatile. I use them in my meals all throughout the week – breakfast, lunch, dinner and even snacks! Making a tofu scramble? Add in some black beans for more fiber! Looking for a way to give your salad more staying power so you don’t feel hungry two seconds after eating it? Top it off with black beans! You can even use them to add a boost of protein to sweet treats like brownies. And we all know they’re amazing in tacos and black bean burgers! The possibilities for that forgotten bag of beans in the back of your pantry are truly limitless.
So pull out your pressure cooker, we’re learning how to cook dried black beans in the Instant Pot.
How to Cook Dried Black Beans in an Instant Pot
I have found that my favorite way to cook dried black beans is in a pressure cooker. It’s quick, easy and my black beans come out perfectly tender every time.
If you have the foresight to remember to soak your black beans the night before, you’ll just have to pop the soaked beans into your pressure cooker with a 2:1 ratio of water to beans and let them cook for 5-7 minutes under high pressure. I typically will use 1 cup of dried black beans and 2 cups of water, but you can easily scale the recipe up accordingly. Once the cook time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 20 minutes, then manually release any remaining steam from the pot before opening it up.
While some varieties of beans absolutely benefit from a pre-soak, black beans can really go without the overnight soak without having to add too much additional cook time. Especially when you’re making Instant Pot black beans. Even without soaking the beans the night before, you can still cook a batch in under an hour in the pressure cooker. If you didn’t soak your beans in advance, give them a good rinse in a colander, then add them to your pressure cooker with the same 2:1 ratio of water to dried beans. Set the beans to cook for 25-30 minutes under high pressure, and then you’ll allow the pressure to release naturally for about 20 minutes.
Once your black beans are cooked to your liking, you can store the in an airtight container in the fridge to be used throughout the week, or make a big batch and stash them in the freezer!
Vegan Black Bean Recipes
A batch of cooked beans in the fridge is an absolute staple for me. They’re great, nutrient-rich source of fiber and plant-based protein and they’re super versatile. It’s so easy to make a big batch at the beginning of the week and have them to lean on as a staple in bowls, salads, tacos and more.
If you’re looking for delicious ways to use black beans in your meals, check out some of these vegan black bean recipes!
- Black Bean Power Bowl with Avocado Pesto
- Quinoa Veggie Black Bean Burgers
- Black Bean Taquitos with Avocado Dip
- Vegan Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup
- Black Bean Chocolate Protein Balls
Instant Pot Black Beans
Learn how to cook dried black beans, no soaking required! Make a batch of Instant Pot Black beans at the beginning of the week for meal prep!
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried black beans
- 2 cups water (2:1 ratio water to dried black beans)
Instructions
- Pour dried black beans into a colander and thoroughly rinse under running water
- Optional: Add rinsed black beans to a bowl and cover with water until the water rises a couple inches above the beans. Allow the black beans to soak at room temperature overnight, or for about 8 hours.
- If you soaked your black beans, strain off the soaking liquid, then add the drained black beans to the pot of your pressure cooker. Pour in 2 parts fresh water for every 1 part of dried beans (for 1 cup of dried black beans, you’ll use 2 cups of water). The water should fully submerge the beans.
- Seal the lid on your pressure cooker and set to high pressure and turn off the keep warm function.
- For soaked black beans, set the cook time for 5-7 minutes. For unsoaked black beans, set the cook time for 25-30 minutes. A longer cook time will result in a more tender bean.
- Once the cook time is finished, allow for natural pressure release for 20 minutes.
- Release any remaining steam using the pressure valve before opening the pressure cooker.
