Instant Pot Black Beans

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Instant Pot Black Beans: How To Cook The Best Beans In Your Instant Pot

My sister has the most amazing black beans burrito recipe and when mum made a batch of black Mexican black beans in the Instant Pot last week, we couldn’t get enough of them. Learning to cook Instant Pot black beans is not only a time saver, but it can also help you to put healthy high protein meals on the table.

Today Mum is sharing her Mexican Black beans Instant Pot recipe and we’re giving it to you.

If you haven’t got an Instant Pot yet, consider buying one here: Instant Pot Duo. It’s great for cooking meals quickly and easily.

*I use affiliate links in this post. If you buy anything from my links I will earn a small commission*

What Are Black Beans?

Black beans are small shiny dark brown beans with a rich nutty flavour. They are popular in Mexican, Caribbean and Brazilian cuisine. Black beans are often used in chili, soups and stews and are great for reducing inflammation in the body.

In the US black beans are known as black turtle beans because they were a popular ingredient in turtle soup. No matter what you call them pressure cooker black beans are delicious and will go great in your favorite black bean recipes.

Are Black Beans Healthy?

Black beans are high in soluble fibre which help to reduce cholesterol levels. They also have lots of folate which is important for a healthy nervous system.

Black beans are also a great source of magnesium, which is important for healthy bones and muscles. Instant Pot Mexcian black beans are a great source of protein and can be used in a variety of ways. Black beans have saturated fat which is a good kind of fat.

Which Beans Are Healthier Black Or Pinto?

Both black and pinto beans are healthy, but black beans tend to have more fiber and protein than pinto beans. Black beans also have a lower glycemic index than pinto beans. So if you’re looking for a healthier bean, then black beans may be the one for you.

You might also want to try this Mexican Pinto Beans Recipe!

Why Cook Black Beans In The Instant Pot?

There are two main benefits to cooking Instant pot Black Beans:

Save Money Using Black Beans

First, you can get more bang for your buck. Buying dried black beans in bulk is always going to be cheaper than buying canned beans. We like to buy our beans and store them in containers for easy use.

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Black Beans Cook Fast

Secondly, the pressure cooker is the fastest way to cook Mexican black beans and saves you time.

How Long Does It Take to Cook Black Beans in the Pressure Cooker?

The black beans cooking time can vary depending on whether or not the beans are soaked.

• Soaked Black Beans Instant Pot Cooking Time: 20-25 Minutes
• Hard Black Beans (No Soak) Instant Pot Cooking Time: 30 Minutes

Do You Need To Soak Black Beans?

Some recipes suggest using soaked beans rather than dry beans. This Instant Pot black beans Mexcian recipe does not require you to soak beans.

The main benefit of soaking beans before cooking in the Instant Pot is to reduce the cooking time.

How To Soak Black Beans Before Cooking

If you decide to soak your beans, here is an easy method:

1. Rinse and sort through your black beans, discarding any bad ones.
2. Rinse well under cold water until there are no traces of starch.
3. Fill a large bowl with water and add the black beans.
4. Allow them to soak for 3-8 hours (or soak beans overnight).
5. Drain well before cooking on high pressure.

In a nutshell, you do not have to soak black beans but the benefits are that they cook a bit faster.

How Many Cups Is in A Pound of Dried Beans?

1 pound of dried black beans is equal to around 2 1/2 cups of cooked beans.

After cooking 1 pound of dried beans you will get around 5 cups of cooked black beans.

Black Beans Instant Pot Water Ratio

When cooking black beans ensure you have at least 1 1/2 cups of water or broth for every cup of beans.

This black beans Instant Pot water ration works every time and is the perfect ratio in any electric pressure cooker.

Mexican Black Beans Instant Pot Ingredients

When cooking Instant Pot black beans you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 Small Yellow Onion 
• 1 Green Bell Pepper 
• 1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 1 Teaspoon Of Minced Garlic
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 Cups Dried Black Beans (Will make 8 servings)
• 3 Cups Water or Chicken Broth or Vegetable Broth
• Fresh Lime Juice (Optional) 2 Tbs
• 1 Teaspoon Cilantro

How To Cook Instant Pot Black Beans

This method is for cooking dried black beans in the Instant Pot. Cooking dried beans takes 5 minutes longer than cooking soaked black beans.

Step One: Add Black Beans To The Instant Pot

Add your black beans and water to the Instant Pot.

Step Two: Dice Onion And Peppers

Chop and dice your onion and bell pepper and add to your Instant Pot.

Step Three: Add Oil and Seasonings

Add your olive oil, salt, pepper, cumin, garlic and oregano to the Instant Pot.

Strep Four: Pressure Cook Black Beans

Secure the Instant Pot lid. Turn the pressure cooker on and set the button to pressure cook on high pressure for minutes. (30 minutes if using non-soaked)

It will take around 8 to 10 minutes to pressurize and then the cooking will begin.

Step Five: Naturally Release Pressure

When the Instant Pot timer goes off, set a separate timer for 20 minutes and allow the steam to release naturally (that means don’t push any buttons!).

This will ensure no cooking liquid spews out of the top of the Instant Pot valve.

After 20 minutes there should not be any remaining pressure.

Step Six: Serve Instant Pot Beans

Carefully remove your Instant Pot lid to enjoy your perfectly cooked beans!

If you fancy a garnish add fresh lemon juice or lime juice and cilantro to your cooked beans.

Get the Most Out Of Your Mexican Black Beans

Cooking Beans has never been easier! You’ll love this Black beans recipe. The seasoned black beans taste fantastic and are great for immediate use. You can also store these flavorful beans and add to recipes in the future.

Can I Add Chili Powder To This Recipe?

Yes, you can add chili powder to this recipe. Try adding 1 teaspoon of chili powder when cooking your beans or sprinkle some on top after they are finished cooking for a bit of extra heat.

Can I Just Use Canned Black Beans?

Yes, you can use canned beans but you won’t need to pressure cook them for very long at all. It’s just a matter of heating them up as canned black beans are pre-cooked.

Simply add the beans to the Instant Pot with 1/4 cup of liquid and the same seasonings. Pressure cook for only 3 minutes.

What To Serve With Black Beans

Love Mexican black beans but are unsure how to serve them? Here are some serving suggestions:

Black beans are of course traditionally served with rice and corn tortillas, but they make for great side dishes too.

You can serve black beans as a side dish with Mexican-style quinoa, Instant Pot white rice, brown rice, Spanish rice or even pasta.

You can also serve black beans with fried plantains, cooked sweet potato or even in a taco salad.

You could also add diced tomatoes to your seasoned black beans to make a delicious beans recipe to enjoy.

More Ways to Use Instant Pot Black Beans

Use Instant pot black beans as a base for soup or chili. We have a fantastic recipe here for Instant Pot Black Bean Chili.

Black Bean Burrito Bowl

Add Instant Pot black beans to a burrito bowl along with rice, cheese, lettuce and salsa. Check out this Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Recipe with Black Beans.

Refried Black Beans

Make ‘refried’ black beans by mashing cooked black beans with a fork and adding spices. Add cayenne pepper if you like them spicy! You can also add tomatoes for more authentic refried beans taste. Try it on top of Instant Pot Stuffed Poblanos.

Black Bean Burgers

Make black bean burgers by mixing mashed black beans with spices, onion, bell pepper and fresh cilantro. Add an egg if you like to help bind it all together. Form patties and cook them in a skillet until golden brown.

Batch Cooking Black Beans

If cooking regularly for your family I would suggest prepping a few batches of black beans at once. Simply double your recipe and stick to the same cooking times as indicated above.

Can You Cook Black Beans In The Slow Cooker?

Yes you can cook beans in the pressure cooker or the slow cooker. Both have great results. If cooking black beans in a slow cooker, you’ll need to soak the beans for 8 hours or overnight in cold water and rinse them before pressure cooking. The cooking time will be longer as well, between 4-7 hours depending on the size of your beans.

For larger batches of dry beans, an Instant Pot is preferable as it can cook multiple cups at once and takes much less time. Now that you know how to cook Mexican black beans in the Instant Pot, you can enjoy delicious black beans for your next meal!

Can You Freeze Black Beans

Black beans will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days. However, if you want to freeze Black beans to keep them for longer then go ahead and do so.

How To Freeze Black Beans

You can freeze black beans for up to 3 months but you have to drain the liquid first.

If you are freezing, don’t add any extra ingredients before freezing. Frozen black beans should be stored in an airtight container or a freezer-safe ziplock bag.

Simply freeze your plain black beans and add the flavour to your recipes as you use your beans in your recipes.

Are too Many Black Beans Bad For You?

No, black beans are full of essential nutrients and good for you. However, if you experience any discomfort after eating them it’s best to call your doctor just in case.

Can Dogs Eat Black Beans?

Yes, dogs can eat black beans but in moderation. Always cook the beans plain before giving them to your dog and avoid adding any extra salt or seasoning.

Black beans are a great source of protein for dogs and can be served as an occasional treat, but should not replace their regular food. Before feeding your pet human food always consult with your vet first.

Now that you know how to cook Mexican black beans in the Instant Pot, you can enjoy delicious black beans as part of a meal or as tasty side dishes too! With all the different ways to use them in your recipes, black beans are an incredibly versatile ingredient for any home chef. Enjoy!

More Mexcian Instant Pot Recipes:

Here are some tasty Instant Pot Mexcian recipes you may love:

Instant Pot Enchilada Soup

Instant Pot Jalapeno Corn Dip

Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef

Mexican Street Corn Soup

Instant Pot Santa Fe Chicken

Instant Pot Carnitas

Creamy Fajita Soup