How to cook beans in an Instant Pot from dry?

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Instant Pot from-dry bean cooking guide

Cooking beans from dry in an Instant Pot simplifies prep and shortens hands-on time. Use this reliable pattern for most common beans and adjust cook times slightly by bean variety and age.

Steps to follow:

  1. Sort and rinse beans. No soak required but soaking reduces cooking time.
  2. Add beans to the Instant Pot with 2.5–3 cups of liquid per cup of dried beans. Add aromatics (onion, garlic) but hold off on acidic ingredients.
  3. Seal and cook on high pressure. General unsoaked time guide: black beans 25–30 minutes, pinto 25–30, chickpeas 35–40, cannellini 30–35.
  4. Let pressure release naturally for 10–20 minutes, then quick-release the rest.

Troubleshooting:

  • If beans are undercooked, reseal and cook for an additional 5–10 minutes.
  • Too foamy? Add a splash of oil or a small piece of kombu to reduce foam.

Finishing touches:

  • Season and add acidic ingredients (tomato, vinegar, lemon) after beans are tender to avoid toughening skins.
  • Use the cooking liquid as a flavor base for soups and stews; it’s fine to reserve some for storage.

The Instant Pot is a low-fuss way to produce consistent bean texture and is especially helpful when you skip soaking.