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–+ servings
instant pot dried beans made with black beans, garlic, and spices
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Instant Pot Dried Beans Base Recipe

This is one of our base recipes. This instant pot dried beans recipe teaches you the fundamental ingredients and ratios for making dried beans in a pressure cooker!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Dish, Side
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Servings: 8 cups

Ingredients

Base Recipe

  • 1 pound dried beans (~2 cups)
  • 6 cups water or low-sodium broth or stock (~1 inch above top of beans)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 Tablespoons vinegar, lemon juice, or lime juice
  • Salt to taste (after cooking)

Additions to YOUR taste

  • 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced (~1 cup)
  • ½ cup diced bell pepper
  • ½ cup diced carrots
  • ½ cup diced celery
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced (~1 ½ teaspoons)
  • 1-2 Tablespoons spice(s)
  • 14-ounce can diced, crushed, or fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 4-ounce can green chilies
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced +1 teaspoon adobo
  • 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary or thyme
  • 1-2 Tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (1-2 teaspoons dried)

Instructions

  • Place beans in a colander and rinse under cold water. Pick out any rocks or beans that are broken or shriveled.
  • If adding onion, bell pepper, carrot, celery, and/or garlic, set Instant Pot to sauté setting. Add oil. Once oil is simmering, add aromatic vegetables and sauté until translucent, ~5 minutes. Add the optional garlic and/or spices and sauté for 30 seconds, stirring frequently.
  • Add the beans, water, bay leaf, salt, and optional tomatoes, chilis, chipotle peppers, and/or hearty herbs. Set Instant Pot to Bean/Chili setting and turn valve to seal. Pressure cook for 45 minutes.
  • Once cooked, allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, then turn to release pressure valve. Add vinegar, lemon, or lime juice, and any additional salt to taste. Sprinkle with optional fresh herbs. Enjoy!

Notes

This recipe calls for 45 minutes of cooking time plus 10 minutes of natural release time. This will create tender beans. However, if you prefer firmer beans, decrease the cooking time. Smaller beans require less cooking time.
If you soak your beans before cooking, cooking time will decrease significantly.
Check out these recipes for flavor inspiration!
Chipotle Black Beans
Rosemary White Beans
Mexican Pinto Beans