Learn how to cook basic white beans in the Instant Pot with or without soaking and get ideas for using up beans in different recipes.
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- 👩🍳 Recipe Overview
- 🛒 Common Types of White Beans
- 📷 How-To Steps
- 🗯 Ideas To Use Up White Beans
- 📝 Go To Full Recipe
White Beans In Instant Pot
White beans are not only nutritious, and packed with protein and fiber, but they're also really versatile in recipes. From soups and stews to salads and dips, white beans can be a star ingredient in a variety of dishes.
Another bonus is their affordability. White beans are a budget-friendly option, offering great nutritional value without straining your wallet.
Cooking white beans in an Instant Pot is a real time-saver. Unlike traditional methods, it cuts down the cooking time significantly, making it a great option for busy days. Plus, the Instant Pot does an excellent job at maintaining a consistent temperature, which means the beans cook evenly every time.
👉 If you want more bean recipes, check out our post on how to cook black beans in Instant Pot, our delicious refried beans recipe or braised white beans with garlic and rosemary.
Common Types Of White Beans
Cannellini Beans: These are large, white beans with a mild, nutty flavor. They're often used in Italian dishes and are great in soups or mashed as a side dish. When cooked, they become creamy and tender, making them a favorite for many.
Navy Beans: Smaller and more rounded than cannellini beans, navy beans are known for their smooth texture. They are commonly used in baked bean dishes and are a staple in American cuisine.
Great Northern Beans: These are medium-sized and have a firmer texture compared to cannellini and navy beans. They hold their shape well, making them a good choice for dishes where you want the beans to remain intact, like in salads or casseroles.
How To Cook White Beans In The Instant Pot
You can cook dry or soaked white beans. Soaking can be beneficial both for the digestion of the beans and the cooking speed as they will be partially rehydrated. However, you have to soak the beans overnight or for at least 8 hours so this method requires some planning.
Dry beans require longer cooking time but allow you to cook them whenever you need them.
The methods and times below are guidelines only. Other factors may impact the cooking times like the age of the beans, the specific type of white beans, and the model of your Instant Pot.
Additionally, always ensure there's enough liquid in the pot to cover the beans an inch, as beans will expand and absorb water during cooking.
No Soaking
Rinse the beans, and add them to the Instant Pot with enough water or broth to cover them, plus a little more. Set to Pressure Cook on HIGH. This method saves time as it skips the soaking process.
Cooking times for dry beans
- Small beans (like Navy Beans): Generally take less time, around 25-30 minutes with NPR (natural pressure release).
- Large beans (like Cannellini Beans): May need about 35-40 minutes due to their size, with NPR.
With Soaking
Soak the beans in water overnight, then drain and rinse them. Cook in the Instant Pot with fresh water or broth. Soaking can make the beans more digestible for some people.
Cooking times for soaked beans
- Small beans (like Navy Beans): Generally take less time, around 8-10 minutes.
- Large beans (like Cannellini Beans): May need about 10-12 minutes due to their size.
Pressure Release
For both small and large white beans, it's recommended to use the natural release method after cooking. This method allows the pressure to decrease gradually, which helps prevent the beans from splitting and ensures they cook evenly. Note, that the natural release process continues to cook the beans for a little longer.
Adding flavor
In both methods, adding stock and seasonings like herbs, garlic, or onions can infuse the beans with more flavor as they cook.
Ideas for Using White Beans in Recipes
- Blend into soups for a creamy texture without cream such as our pasta e fagioli soup.
- Mash and use as a base for white bean dip or spread.
- Add to salads for extra protein.
- Include in stews and casseroles for heartiness.
- Use as a meat substitute in vegetarian or vegan dishes.
- Incorporate into pasta dishes for a Mediterranean flair.
- Make a white bean chili for a twist on the classic recipe.
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White Beans In Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry white beans such as Great Northern or Cannellini, see Note 1
- 3.5 cups water see Note 2
- 1 teaspoon salt
Optional for flavor
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Rinse the beans, and add them to the Instant Pot with enough water or broth to cover them, plus a little more, in our case about 3.5 cups.
- Set to Pressure Cook on HIGH and adjust the timer to 30 minutes. The Instant Pot will take about 10 minutes to come to pressure.
- Once done, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 15 minutes, then you can let out the remaining pressure manually using the quick release.
Notes
- Note 1. We used Great Northern which are medium size white beans. Cannellini are slightly larger, so you will need to add 5 more minutes. For smaller white beans, you may be able to cook in 25 minutes.
- Note 2. The water to dry bean ratio is about 1 cup of beans to 3.5 cups of water (or broth). For soaked beans, you can use a 1:2.5 ratio as they will be partially rehydrated.
- In both methods, adding stock and seasonings like herbs, garlic, or onions can infuse the beans with more flavor as they cook.
- Cooking times for dry beans: 25-30 minutes for small to medium beans; 35-40 minutes to medium to large beans. Natural release for 15 minutes or longer.
- Soaked beans: once soaked for 8 hours or longer, drain and rinse. Cook with water or broth (1:2.5 cup ratio) for 8-10 minutes for small to medium beans and 10-12 minutes for larger white beans. Natural release for 15 minutes or longer.
- Natural release prevents the beans from splitting too much and gives them a little more time to cook evenly.
iris
I have a 3 qt and a 6qt Instant pot. How to adjust recipe for using the 3 qt? Just hubby and I, so I don't want to make "excess"....