Instant Pot Black Beans (basic and easy)

Your Instant Pot is the perfect kitchen appliance for cooking dried black beans in a fraction of the time. No soaking, no draining. Just perfectly cooked black beans in about an hour. We love this!

Traditional methods of cooking dry black beans can take several hours, not to mention the soaking process which is usually overnight. Then along comes the Instant Pot and changes everything. In about an hour, turn a bag of dry black beans into a feast of deliciousness! This recipe is a “how-to” recipe for making simple black beans. No seasonings, no special ingredients, just a pinch of salt (which you’re free to omit or adjust). You can use this recipe as a base and add your own favorite seasonings as you wish.

What are black beans?

Perhaps you’ve come across this recipe because you’ve heard about all the healthy benefits of black beans. And it’s true. Black beans are loaded with fiber, protein, antioxidants and more.  Whenever you’re looking for “healthy recipes”, black beans are a common ingredient. You can read more about the healthy benefits of black beans on the WebMd page. But don’t let the healthy part of black beans fool you – they’re absolutely delicious! With a mild, very creamy flavor, black beans are a savory additional for any meal. From breakfast-time in wraps with eggs, to salads at lunchtime, to a hearty chili or Mexican dish for dinner, black beans are hit any time of the day.

How to make black beans in an Instant Pot

Using an Instant Pot pressure cooker is the perfect way to quickly make dried black beans from scratch.

Ingredients You’ll need:

• 1lb dry black beans
• 4 cups water
• Pinch of salt to taste (1 tsp perfect)

Rinse the beans first in a colander under cold water. Add the beans to the pot, add the water and salt. Pressure cook for 30 minutes and let pressure naturally release (about 20-30 minutes). Then you’re done. No really, that’s it. No need to drain. The beans will have a wonderful, creamy liquid which will absorb just a bit more when done, leaving the perfect amount remaining.

Serving Suggestions

Right now, your black beans are ready to serve. They can be placed in a bowl with a serving spoon for enjoying as a side-dish at any meal. Or, if you’re looking to use them in other recipes, you can drain the portion you need and add them right in, just as you would canned beans.

Adding flavors and customizations

This recipe is the most basic instructions for making black beans from scratch in your Instant Pot. It’s also a blank canvas for you to get creative if you so chose. You see, black beans are wonderful for adding a variety of herbs and spices to suit just about any cuisine.

Black beans are very popular in Mexican cuisine. Sauté some onion and garlic first, add some cumin and cook as instructed. Top off with a little fresh cilantro and lime wedges and… wow!  You can enjoy them in their most basic, or you can add all sorts of seasoning and other ingredients for some amazing flavor combinations!

How about black beans for breakfast? Yes indeed. We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially to get that metabolism going and give us the energy we need. Black beans provide much needed fiber, which we know helps with digestion, but also helps us stay feeling full. They are also a good source of protein. Make some scrambled eggs and ditch the greasy hash browns and bacon. Add some black beans as the side-dish and you’ve got a protein-packed, healthy way to start the day! I like to put scrambled eggs in a wrap with black beans, fresh avocado and some salsa. I mean… it’s just so good! And I’m literally not hungry for hours afterwards.

Storage

Here’s the thing about black beans, you can store them for a few days in the fridge or even freeze to use later. They hold up very well this way. If using in the next few days, store them in the airtight plastic containers in the fridge. You can store them with or without the liquid, whichever you prefer. To freeze, simply store them in airtight freezer bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible.

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