Learn how to cook white beans in the instant pot. We show you how to make Instant Pot White Beans step by step with video. Perfect for all your favorite white bean recipes.
If you’re looking at how to cook beans fast, no soaking required, the instant pot is the best way to cook beans Make a batch now and then try them with our vegan white bean soup recipe!
The best part about this recipe is you can make these instant pot white beans no soak or make them using pre-soaked. No soaking will result
HOW TO SOAK BEANS
Soaking is optional and we do not soak our beans, but if you want to soak them prior to cooking in the instant pot follow these steps.
Before prepping white beans, give the beans a rinse and remove any dirt or debris, if any. How much water you use to soak the beans will depend on the amount of beans you’re using. If you’re using 1 cup of Great Northern Beans, use 3 cups of water.
You need to cover the beans in water by at least 2 inches or 3 inches over the beans. If you’re concerned to leave it without watching for hours like me I go for the 3 inches above
Soaking too long or in a warm area can cause the beans to ferment. If your home is warmer than usual, you should place the beans in the refrigerator to soak.
HOW TO COOK WHITE BEANS IN THE INSTANT POT
- Sift through the white beans to remove any large pieces of dirt or debris.
- Thoroughly rinse the beans under cold running water and then pour them into the instant pot. Use cool/cold water to do this.
- Pour in the water and set valve to Sealing, then select Pressure Cook setting to High for 30 minutes.
- Allow the pressure cooker to come to pressurize (time will depend on your altitude, mine took 12 minutes), once it’s pressurized cooking time will begin to count down.
- Once the 30 minutes are up, and the machine beeps, allow it to Natural Release for 20 minutes.
- When this time is up, release any remaining pressure in the pot by setting the valve to Venting. Do this carefully.
- Carefully open the pot turning away from your face. You can use a wooden spoon instead of your hand as well.
- Most of the water will have been absorbed by the beans. At this time you can add salt or any seasonings you would like.
- Serve and enjoy the white beans as desired.
Recipe Tips:
- Limit the amount of salt in your diet by reserving salt until after cooking and salt to taste.
- You should always use beans that are in date, expired beans or even old beans can result in hard beans which are less than desirable.
Recipes using white beans:
STORAGE AND REHEATING TIPS
- Allow the beans to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes before placing them in the refrigerator.
- Refrigate: Store any leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3-5 days.
- Freeze: To freeze leftover beans place in an air tigher freezer safe container with some of the bean cooking water. They can be store in the freezer for about 6 months.
- Reheat: To enjoy them warm you can use a sauce pan or microwave to warm them up. We warm them up with a little bit of the bean cooking water and seaosnings. You can also use the beans in your favorite recipes that call for white beans.
HOW TO SERVE
White beans are excellent in soups, stews, dips, salads, thickening sauces, and more. Our favorite way to enjoy Great Northern Beans is our White Bean Soup
FAQs
Soaking your beans reduces the phytic acid and improves the absorption of nutrients and minerals. Also, if you suffer from gas from beans you’ll want to soak them as it can help reduce gas-causing compounds in the beans. Some notice a softer bean when soaking and it can take less time to cook.
1lb of dried white beans is about 2 cups dried. Once you cook the beans and they plump up it becomes about 6 cups of cooked white beans.
There are about 1.5 cups in a 15oz can of beans. If you need these beans for a recipe for canned beans use 1 1/2 cups of beans to equal a can of beans.
MORE INSTANT POT RECIPES
Instant Pot White Beans
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Print Pin SaveIngredients
- 1 lb Great Northern Beans rinsed and sorted, dry
- 5 cups water or broth
- salt optional
Instructions
- Sift through the white beans to remove any large pieces of dirt or debris.
- Thoroughly rinse the beans under cold running water and then pour them into the instant pot.
- Pour in the water and set valve to Sealing, then select Pressure Cook setting to High for 30 minutes.
- Allow the pressure cooker to come to pressurize (time will depend on your altitude, mine took 12 minutes), once it’s pressurized cooking time will begin to count down.
- Once the 30 minutes are up, and the machine beeps, allow it to Natural Release for 20 minutes.
- When this time is up, release any remaining pressure in the pot by setting the valve to Venting.
- Carefully open the pot turning away from your face. You can use a wooden spoon instead of your hand as well.
- Most of the water will have been absorbed by the beans. At this time you can add salt or any seasonings you would like.
- Serve and enjoy the white beans as desired.
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Nutrition
The nutritional information is automatically calculated and can vary based ingredients and products used. If the nutrition numbers are important for you we recommend calculating them yourself.
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Did not have all the spices this called for so, substituted a spoonful of better than bouillon Italian flavor. Turned out awesome. Leftover was made into hummus
We’re so glad you enjoyed!!
I’m failing to see the spices this recipe calls for but, okay!
Adding spices and seasonings during the cooking process is optional. We prefer to use our beans in recipes so this recipe is as if you would open a can of cooked beans and then you can use for any recipe. Hope that helps 🙂