Description
These Instant Pot Black Beans are tender, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make—no soaking required! Infused with savory aromatics and spices, they’re a perfect side dish or base for tacos, burritos, and bowls.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups dried black beans – Rinsed and sorted
- 6 cups water – Enough to cook the beans fully
- Heaping ½ cup diced white onion – Adds aromatic sweetness
- 2 large garlic cloves, chopped – For savory depth
- 2 teaspoons sea salt – Brings out flavor
- 1 teaspoon chili powder – Adds warmth and mild spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin – Earthy and robust
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano – Herby balance
- Freshly ground black pepper – To taste
- Fresh lime juice (optional) – For a bright, zesty finish
Optional Add-Ons
- Chopped bell peppers – Adds color and sweetness
- Bay leaves – For enhanced depth of flavor
- Jalapeño or hot peppers – For a spicy kick
Substitutions and Shortcuts
- No cumin? Try ground coriander or skip
- Use canned beans for a shortcut; reduce cooking time
- Out of chili powder? Paprika and cayenne make a good stand-in
Instructions
- Sort and rinse: Place dried black beans in a colander, sort out debris, and rinse under cold water.
- Transfer to Instant Pot: Add beans and 6 cups of water to the Instant Pot.
- Add aromatics and spices: Stir in diced onion, chopped garlic, salt, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and black pepper.
- Pressure cook: Seal the lid and cook on High Pressure for 25 minutes (20 for firmer beans).
- Natural release: Let the pressure release naturally for 20–30 minutes. When the float valve drops, open the lid carefully.
- Taste and season: Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Add a squeeze of lime juice if desired.
- Serve: Enjoy as a side dish or in tacos, burritos, salads, or bowls.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for later.
- Texture tip: If beans are too liquidy, use the ‘Sauté’ function to reduce broth after cooking.
- Flavor tip: Add bay leaf or jalapeño before cooking for extra depth or heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: undefined
Keywords: instant pot black beans, easy black beans, pressure cooker beans, vegan black beans, healthy black bean recipe, no soak black beans