How to Cook Black Beans (Instant Pot)
Easy recipe for cooking black beans from scratch using the Instant Pot. You can cook the dry black beans, no soaking required, on low pressure to get the best shape and texture.
Servings 8
Ingredients
- 1 lb (2½ cups) dried black beans, picked over and rinsed 450 grams (can use 500 grams)
- 6 cups water or light unsalted broth
- 1 small onion peeled and whole
- 3 cloves garlic lightly crushed
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Juice of ½ lime added after cooking
- 1 teaspoon salt added after cooking
Additional seasonings and optional garnishes
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, black pepper, chili powder, paprika, crumbled cheese to serve, avocado, diced jalapeños, hot sauce, etc
Instructions
Load the Instant Pot
- Add the black beans, water, onion, garlic, bay leaf, cumin, and oregano. Stir gently.
Pressure cook
- Set Instant Pot to Pressure Cook – LOW
- Cook for 45 minutes
- Allow natural pressure release for 20 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure. Don’t skip the natural release. Beans continue cooking gently as the pressure drops. Quickly releasing the pressure interrupts the cooking process, which can result in hard beans.
Check the bean texture
- Beans should be tender with mostly intact but soft skins. If they need a bit more softening, simmer on Sauté (Low) for 5–10 minutes.
Season & finish
- Remove onion, garlic, and bay leaf
- Stir in salt and lime juice
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed
Rest (optional but recommended)
- Let beans sit in their liquid at least 15–20 minutes to deepen flavor and improve texture. Drain (or not), depending on how you plan to use them.