How To Make Fast, No-Soak Beans in the Pressure Cooker

Try this recipe, or contribute your own.

How To Make Fast, No-Soak Beans in the Pressure Cooker
How To Make Fast, No-Soak Beans in the Pressure Cooker

Try this recipe, or contribute your own.

  • Preparing Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Served Person: 5
  • Carbohydrate 0 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • Fat 0.675000000289468 g
  • Fiber 0 g
  • Protein 0 g
  • Saturated Fat 0.0932040000399697 g
  • Serving Size 1 1 cups cooked bean (471g)
  • Sodium 15.1815000128281 mg
  • Sugar 0 g
  • Trans Fat 0.0182790000078389 g
  • Calories 6 calories

Step-by-step

  • Combine all ingredients in the pressure cooker. Do not fill the pressure cooker more than half full.
  • Secure the lid. Make sure the pressure regulator valve is closed. (On an Instant Pot, this means it will be set to the "sealing" position.)
  • Cook the beans: Here are the cooking times for unsoaked beans in the Instant Pot. Cooking times will be similar for other electric pressure cookers; cooking time will be slightly less for stovetop pressure cookers. Double-check the manual that came with your pressure cooker for more exact cooking times: Black beans: 20 to 25 minutes Black-eyed peas: 20 to 25 minutes Great Northern beans: 25 to 30 minutes Navy beans: 25 to 30 minutes Pinto beans: 25 to 30 minutes Cannellini beans: 35 to 40 minutes Chickpeas (garbanzo beans): 35 to 40 minutes Cook beans at high pressure for the time recommended above. The pressure cooker will take 15 to 20 minutes to come to full pressure before cooking begins.
  • Let the pressure release: Once cooking is complete, you can let the pressure release naturally on its own, which takes about 20 to 30 minutes, or you can do a "rapid release" by opening the pressure valve on the top of the pressure cooker. If doing a rapid release, protect your hands from the steam with oven mitts or use a long-handled spoon to manipulate the pressure valve. I recommend letting the pressure release naturally for as long as you're able before the beans are needed. This helps the beans retain their shape.
  • Using and storing your beans: The beans are ready to use right away. Let leftover beans cool in their cooking liquid, then refrigerate in a covered container for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.

My Pressure Cooker Bean Revolution: A Busy Mom's Guide to Effortless Deliciousness

Let's be honest, folks. Life as a working mom is a whirlwind. Between juggling work deadlines, school pick-ups, soccer practice, and the never-ending to-do list, finding time for anything, let alone cooking a healthy, nutritious meal, can feel like an impossible task. For years, I've felt the pressure to always put a delicious, homemade meal on the table. It's a pressure I've often struggled to manage. Then, came my pressure cooker.

It's a game changer, I tell you! This amazing kitchen appliance has single-handedly transformed my relationship with cooking. No more hours spent soaking beans, meticulously monitoring them on the stovetop, only to end up with a less-than-stellar result. Now, with my trusty pressure cooker, I can have perfectly cooked, flavorful beans in a fraction of the time—often less than an hour from start to finish! I've truly embraced the convenience and speed this method offers. The pressure cooker has made it easier to incorporate more beans into my family's diet, which is a huge win for everyone. This recipe isn't just about making beans faster; it's about reclaiming precious time in my already busy life. This method has made a considerable difference.

Before I discovered the magic of the pressure cooker, beans were a special occasion food. Soaking them overnight felt like a chore, and the cooking time always seemed to stretch into hours. Honestly, I often resorted to canned beans simply for convenience. But canned beans often lack the fresh, vibrant flavor of home-cooked beans. This pressure cooker method, however, changed everything. I can now whip up a batch of delicious, healthy beans on a weeknight, without sacrificing precious family time or losing the delicious, rich flavor of freshly cooked beans.

This recipe isn't just about speed, either. It's also about flexibility. I love that I can use almost any kind of dried beans—black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas—and the results are always consistently perfect. The pressure cooker takes the guesswork out of cooking beans, ensuring they are perfectly tender every time, without turning to mush. And the best part? The cleanup is a breeze! Everything cooks in one pot, minimizing dishes and maximizing my already limited time.

Beyond the Beans: How this recipe benefits my lifestyle

This fast and easy bean recipe has significantly improved my weeknight cooking routine. The simplicity allows me to add variety to my family's meals. Instead of relying on processed foods, I’m able to easily incorporate a healthy, nutrient-rich side dish to our dinner table. The added benefit of meal prepping makes my schedule easier and helps me to make healthier choices.

My children now ask for bean dishes more often—a testament to how much tastier and more satisfying freshly cooked beans are compared to their canned counterparts. The ability to quickly cook a hearty, healthy side dish helps my entire family to adopt a healthier lifestyle that's both convenient and delicious.

Tips for Success:

  • Don't overfill the pressure cooker: Leave enough headspace to allow for steam buildup.
  • Experiment with flavors: Add different herbs and spices to customize your beans to your liking. A bay leaf, smoked paprika, cumin, or even a dash of chili powder can add a surprising depth of flavor.
  • Natural pressure release: I highly recommend letting the pressure release naturally whenever possible. This results in the most tender, flavorful beans.
  • Proper storage: Storing your cooked beans properly is key. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.

This seemingly simple recipe for quick beans has become a cornerstone of my weeknight cooking routine. It's more than just a recipe; it's a testament to the power of streamlining one's cooking process to create space for the things that truly matter. It’s a win-win: delicious, healthy food and more time for my family.

This is more than just a recipe; it’s a lifestyle shift. It's about embracing efficiency without sacrificing flavor or quality. It's about making healthy choices easier, even when time is at a premium. And, it's about savoring the simple satisfaction of a home-cooked meal shared with loved ones.

This pressure cooker method has revolutionized the way I cook, and it will revolutionize yours too! Try it out and feel the difference.