Cooking dried beans from scratch can be a tedious process. Traditionally, dried beans need to be soaked overnight before cooking to help breakdown complex sugars that cause intestinal gas. However, with the rise in popularity of multi-cookers like the Instant Pot, many home cooks are discovering that presoaking beans is no longer necessary.
Do You Really Need to Soak Beans Before Cooking Them?
Soaking beans before cooking serves a few purposes:
- It shortens the cooking time – Beans swell up and partially hydrate during soaking, so they take less time to become tender during cooking.
- It evenly hydrates the beans – Pouring dry beans straight into boiling water can cause uneven hydration.
- It neutralizes toxins – Some beans contain lectins and other toxins that can cause gastrointestinal upset. Soaking helps reduce these compounds.
- It breaks down indigestible sugars – Beans contain complex sugars called oligosaccharides that humans lack the enzymes to properly digest. Soaking helps start breaking down these sugars.
However, soaking is not the only way to achieve these goals. Other methods like using a pressure cooker or multi-cooker can hydrate and cook beans from dry quite well without needing to soak them first.
Why Don’t You Need to Soak Beans with the Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is a multi-use pressure cooker that has become hugely popular in recent years. Here are some of the key reasons you don’t need to soak beans before cooking them in the Instant Pot:
The Pressurized Environment Hydrates Beans Quickly
The Instant Pot cooks food under pressure. At sea level, the pot reaches around 11-12 psi pressure compared to the normal air pressure of 14.7 psi. Under this pressurized environment, the boiling point of water increases from 212°F to around 250°F.
This higher temperature boiling water hydrates and penetrates the dry beans much faster than soaking in ambient temperature water. The beans will become fully hydrated and tender in the time it takes them to finish cooking.
The High Heat Breaks Down Indigestible Sugars
The elevated temperatures under pressure also help break down the oligosaccharides and other complex sugars that cause digestive issues. Studies have found that cooking beans in a pressure cooker significantly reduces these indigestible sugars compared to stove top cooking.
Toxins Are Neutralized in the Cooking Process
Any potential toxins present in raw beans are destroyed once the beans are cooked through fully. The high heat and pressure of the Instant Pot neutralizes lectins and other anti-nutrients that soaking may help reduce.
No Need to Plan Ahead
With traditional bean cooking, you need to remember to soak them the night before you want to cook them. With the Instant Pot, you can cook beans without any advance planning or preparation. Just measure out the beans and add them directly to the pot with the other ingredients.
Tips for Cooking Dry Beans in the Instant Pot
Here are some tips to ensure perfectly cooked beans from dry every time in your Instant Pot:
Pick Over the Beans
Always sort through dry beans before cooking and remove any debris, damaged beans or pebbles. Rinsing is optional, but recommended especially for dirtier beans.
Use a Generous Amount of Water
Beans expand significantly when cooking. Make sure to use enough water in the Instant Pot to account for this expansion. As a general rule, use 3-4 cups water per 1 cup of dried beans.
Get the Ratio Right
Maintain a good bean to water ratio for even cooking. Use the minimum 3 cups water per 1 cup beans. Excess water can prevent the pot from pressurizing properly.
Add Salt Later
Salt can prevent beans from softening properly, so it’s best to season after cooking. If adding tomatoes, acids or salt, wait until beans are almost done.
Use Natural Pressure Release
Allow the pressure to come down naturally rather than quick releasing. This prevents beans from bursting and becoming mushy.
Don’t Fill Over Halfway
For dried beans or other foods that expand significantly, don’t fill the Instant Pot over halfway. Overflow can interfere with pressurization.
Adjust Cooking Time As Needed
Cooking times can vary based on the age and variety of the beans. Check beans after the minimum cook time and adjust pressure cooking time as needed.
Cooking Times for Different Beans
Here are approximate Instant Pot cooking times for some common varieties of dried beans:
| Bean Variety | Instant Pot Cooking Time |
|---|---|
| Black beans | 25-30 minutes |
| Pinto beans | 30 minutes |
| Kidney beans | 25-30 minutes |
| Garbanzo beans | 35-40 minutes |
| Cannellini beans | 25-30 minutes |
| Lima beans | 10-12 minutes |
| Navy beans | 25 minutes |
| Cranberry beans | 25-30 minutes |
Keep in mind that cooking time can vary based on the age of the beans and variety. Let beans cook for the minimum recommended time, then check for tenderness and cook longer if needed.
Common Bean Instant Pot Recipes
Once you’ve mastered cooking beans from dry in the Instant Pot, the possibilities are endless for integrating them into recipes. Here are some classic Instant Pot bean dishes to try:
Instant Pot Hummus
Traditional hummus is made by cooking dried chickpeas, then blending them with tahini, lemon juice, garlic and seasonings until smooth and creamy. The Instant Pot takes the hassle out of cooking the chickpeas, producing perfect beans to turn into hummus every time.
Instant Pot Chili
A hearty chili is a classic bean dish that comes together quickly and easily in the Instant Pot. Take your pick of bean varieties – kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans and more are all fair game. Brown some ground meat if desired, then add beans, tomatoes, chili powder and other spices.
Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
Traditional New Orleans-style red beans and rice uses kidney beans or another small red bean slow cooked with vegetables like onion, celery and bell pepper. Add some cajun seasoning while cooking, then serve over white rice. The acidity of tomatoes helps break down beans into a creamy texture.
Instant Pot Three Bean Salad
Three bean salad is a potluck staple traditionally made with a mix of green beans, garbanzo beans and kidney beans. To make it quickly in the Instant Pot, cook each type of bean separately with aromatics like onion and garlic. Toss with a tangy dressing while still warm so flavors absorb.
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Hearty lentil soup is a vegetarian comfort food that’s simple to make in the Instant Pot. Sauté aromatics like carrot, celery and onion, add broth and lentils, then simmer until lentils are tender. Finish with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Troubleshooting Common Instant Pot Bean Problems
Even with the convenience of the Instant Pot, beans can sometimes give home cooks trouble. Here are some common bean issues and how to avoid them:
Problem: Beans Won’t Soften
Potential Causes:
- Old, dried out beans
- Not enough water
- Added salt too early
- Pot didn’t pressurize properly
Solutions:
- Use newer beans if possible
- Increase amount of water
- Hold off adding salt until after cooking
- Make sure lid is sealed properly for pressurization
Problem: Beans Are Too Mushy
Potential Causes:
- Too much water
- Overcooked
- Quick pressure release used
Solutions:
- Reduce amount of water
- Reduce cook time
- Use natural pressure release method
Problem: Beans Cause Intestinal Discomfort
Potential Causes:
- Some indigestible sugars remain
- You have sensitivity to a particular bean
Solutions:
- Try cooking beans longer under pressure
- Switch to a more easily digested bean variety
Conclusion
Thanks to modern multi-cookers like the Instant Pot, gone are the days when you need to plan ahead and soak beans overnight before cooking them. The pressurized environment allows even the toughest dried beans to become tender and cooked through without any presoaking required.
For best results, make sure to use a sufficient amount of water, adjust cooking times as needed, and allow for a natural pressure release. With a little trial and error, you’ll be able to cook any bean variety perfectly in your Instant Pot without any advance preparation needed.
Ditch the overnight soaking and unlock the possibilities of cooking with dried beans on-demand. A world of nutritious and delicious Instant Pot bean recipes awaits!