Instant Pot Baked Beans
Sweet and savory Instant Pot baked beans is the perfect side dish for holidays and barbecues. Make the beans in advance and warm them up for the barbecue. Easy instant pot side dish that everyone at your party or potluck will love.
Soak or Don’t Soak
Soaking the beans is always so controversial. Some say you will have less gas if you soak the beans. Some say that the beans will cook faster if soaked. When it comes to navy beans I say soaking is best.
Soaking the beans allows them to cook faster in the instant pot and with navy beans they just take forever to cook. Soak the navy beans for at least 4 hours to overnight. This process will cut 30 minutes off the cook time.
Don’t want to soak the beans? That’s fine as well just know that you need to add more cook time in order to render a soft navy bean for the baked beans. Just wash them up and then place them into the instant pot.
Add the broth and the onions then cook in the instant pot The recipe below will have details on time with or without soaking the navy beans.
Like I mentioned above I like to soak the navy beans. I usually soak them in the morning then drain off the water and wash off before cooking that evening. These instant pot baked beans I like to make for a weeknight side dish.
Make The Baked Beans For Later
Baked beans is the perfect side dish to take to a potluck or party. This side dish can be made in advance. Soak the beans, make them up in the instant pot, then add the sauces. Boil for a short bit. Once done let cool down and store in the fridge covered with the instant pot silicone lid.
When you arrive at the party take them in the instant pot and plug it in. Turn the setting to keep warm and they will be perfect to pair with instant pot pulled pork sandwiches or instant pot brisket sandwiches.
Whichever way you choose to make the instant pot beans you’ll sure enjoy them at your potlucks and parties alike. Check out a few more side dishes to make for parties below.
Instant Pot Side Dishes:
Instant Pot Baked Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb bag of navy beans about 2 cups
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons spicy mustard
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 white onion; diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions
- Soak beans for 4 to 24 hours. If you do not want to soak then you need to 30 minutes cook time to the beans. See notes below.
- Place beans, onions, and beef broth into the instant pot. Place the lid on the instant pot and set the valve to the sealed position. Press the pressure cook or manual button and set timer to 1 hour and 30 minutes for beans that have not been pre-soaked or 1 hour for beans that have been soaked for at least four hours to 24 hours.
- Once the instant pot stops counting release the pressure by opening the valve. Once the pin drops open the pot.
- Mix together brown sugar, mustard, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour into the pot and mix well with the beans. Turn on sauté mode (normal heat). Stir frequently. Add in salt and pepper.
- If the beans are to watery then add in 3 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with a little water to make a slurry. Add this while in sauté mode and the beans will start to thicken. Remember once the beans cool some they will be a lot thicker than went piping hot.
If I double this recipe, do I also double the liquid ti cook the beans?
Yes, the beans need the liquid in order to cook. If you double bean amount double liquid amount.
If I want to add chopped bacon when would I add it?
You would sauté the bacon and then add in the onions and beans. You would need to deglaze the pot before bring to pressure to ensure you don’t get a burn notice.
This recipe looks yummy
Wow, these baked beans were excellent! I soaked the beans overnight, and then prepared them the next morning. I had some homemade beef broth, and it was just over 3.5 cups. At first I thought the beans might not be as thick as we like them, but followed your advice to wait. The next day, when I reheated them, they were perfect. So much better than canned baked beans!!
I have to agree they are so much better than canned and at least you know what’s in your beans as well!