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How to Cook Black Beans in a Pressure Cooker

The pressure cooker or Instant Pot is your tool for perfectly tender black beans, ready in time for dinner. Actual cooking time depends on whether you presoak the beans, and if you let the pressure come down naturally or quick release the pressure. (See notes) This recipe makes about 4 ½ cups cooked beans and 3 cups delicious broth.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Component
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Keyword: black beans, Instant Pot, pressure cooker
Servings: 4 cups
Calories: 399kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried black beans, about 2 ¼ cups
  • ¾ cup chopped onion, optional
  • 1 clove minced garlic, optional
  • 1 or 2 dried red chiles like ancho or guajillo chiles, optional
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin or avocado olive oil, optional
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt, to taste

Instructions

  • Rinse and pick over the beans, looking for little stones that might be masquerading as beans.
  • *** If you soak your beans, put them in a bowl and cover with a couple inches of water and let soak at least 4 hours. Drain and rinse again before cooking.
  • Soak or unsoaked, put the rinsed beans into the pressure cooker or Instant Pot. Add any aromatic options.
  • Cover the beans with hot water—about 1 1/2 inches above the level of the beans. Bring the pot to pressure and cook for the allotted time. Time will depend on whether you soaked the beans or not, and whether you quick release or let the pressure come down naturally. (see notes)
  • Season to taste with more salt if you wish.
  • Test a bean to make sure it’s tender to your liking. If the beans need to cook more, bring to pressure again for a minute or so. Quick release the pressure.
  • You’re there—perfectly cooked black beans for your next recipe.

Notes

  • Once the cooker is up to pressure, soaked black beans, pressure released naturally, take 5 to 6 minutes to cook.
  • Once the cooker is up to pressure, soaked black beans, pressure quick-released, take about 9 minutes to cook.
  • Once the cooker is up to pressure, beans unsoaked but pressure quick-released, take about 20 minutes to cook.

Nutrition

Calories: 399kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 588mg | Potassium: 1725mg | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 19IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 146mg | Iron: 6mg