Instant Pot Baked Beans
User Reviews
4.9
Instant Pot Baked Beans
Description
This baked beans recipe starts with soaking dried navy beans overnight to soften them. Bacon is sautéed in the Instant Pot to render fat and add smokiness, followed by cooking onions and garlic in the bacon drippings. Then spices including mustard powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper join along with sweet elements like brown sugar, molasses, ketchup, and barbecue sauce. Apple cider vinegar and optional liquid smoke provide a subtle tang and smoky depth.
All ingredients are pressure cooked together, ensuring the beans become tender while the flavors meld. After natural pressure release, the beans can be stirred and if a thicker consistency is desired, a cornstarch slurry can be added and cooked on sauté mode to thicken.
Prepared beans suit serving as a side with grilled meats, in sandwiches, or as a comforting bowl on their own. Variations allow using canned beans or slow cooker preparation with adjusted times and liquid amounts, accommodating different equipment and schedules.
The recipe notes offer practical tips for adjusting cooking times, thickening beans, and ingredient substitutions for convenience while maintaining flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Navy beans dried
- 1/3 lb. Bacon sliced into bite sized pieces
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 2/3 cups water
- 2 tsp mustard powder dried
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika regular paprika can be substituted
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce we like to use a hickory smoke flavored variety
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp liquid smoke optional but recommended if you have it on hand
Instructions
- Add dried beans to a large mixing bowl and cover with 7-8 cups of water. Let sit overnight at room temperature.
- Drain soaked beans, then set aside.
- Select “saute”, and cook bacon, until mostly cooked, about 4 minutes or so. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook, stirring often, for about 1 minute.
- Add water and scrape the bottom of the pot, removing any browned bits that remain.
- Add drained beans, mustard powder, salt, pepper, paprika, brown sugar, ketchup, molasses, bbq sauce, vinegar and liquid smoke (if using).
- Stir well. Cancel the “saute” function, secure lid, and make sure the pot is in the sealing position.
- Select “manual” or “pressure cook”, select "high" for the pressure, and adjust time to 30 minutes.
- When time is up, let the pot naturally release any pressure by not touching it, for 15 minutes. Then release any remaining pressure.
- Stir, and check for tenderness. If not tender enough, replace lid and cook another 10-15 minutes or so, with another 15 minutes NPR.
- If beans are tender, select “saute” and cook, stirring often, for several minutes, or until the beans are cooked down and not too liquid-y.
- Beans will thicken more as they cool a bit. Serve hot/warm.
Notes
- Soak dried navy beans overnight before cooking to soften them.
- If beans are not thick enough, thicken with a cornstarch slurry on sauté mode.
- Canned Great Northern beans can substitute dried navy beans; adjust liquid and cooking times accordingly.
- Slow cooker method available: cook bacon and aromatics first, then combine with beans and cook 4-9 hours.
- Pressure cooking times and natural release are important for tender beans without overcooking.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 346 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 346kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 60g | 20% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 10mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 433mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 906mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 12g | 48% |
| Sugar | 32g | 64% |
| Vitamin A | 94IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 124mg | 12% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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