How to Cook Black Beans in the Instant Pot

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Learn how to cook tender, flavorful black beans in the Instant Pot with this simple, budget-friendly recipe. Perfect for meal prep, burrito bowls, salads, soups, and side dishes, these versatile beans are a staple in my Texas kitchen.

Enjoy this guest post from author and baker Janice Thompson, owner of Out of the Box Baking.

If you’d told me ten years ago that I’d become a black bean enthusiast, I probably would have laughed.

Growing up in Texas, pinto beans were far more common on our table, so I never paid much attention to black beans. That started to change when I began enjoying more Tex-Mex and Southwest-inspired foods. Around here, black beans show up everywhere—from burrito bowls and tacos to restaurant salads and side dishes.

Then last November, I traveled to Mexico on a missions trip and discovered just how important black beans are in everyday meals.

We saw them at nearly every meal.

Black Beans. . .a Delicious Staple

At one church, volunteers served us simple ham and cheese sandwiches with black beans tucked inside. I’ll admit, I wasn’t convinced. A sandwich with beans? It sounded a little strange to me. But after one bite, I understood why they’re so popular. The beans added flavor, texture, and heartiness to an otherwise simple meal.

Since then, I’ve become a huge fan.

Our family visits Freebirds after church at least once a month, and my burrito bowl is always loaded with black beans. They’re inexpensive, packed with protein and fiber, and incredibly filling. I add them to salads, rice bowls, soups, and side dishes whenever I can.

If your kids turn up their noses at black beans, don’t give up too quickly. I was a grown woman before I learned to love them! They’re one of the most budget-friendly ingredients you can keep in your pantry, and they’re surprisingly versatile.

Today I’m sharing the simple Instant Pot method I use to cook black beans from scratch.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Budget-friendly pantry staple
• Packed with protein and fiber
• No soaking required
• Easy meal-prep ingredient
• Perfect for salads, bowls, soups, and side dishes
• Freezes beautifully

Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here’s a quick glance at what you’ll need to make these beans. Talk about simple!

• 2 cups dried black beans, rinsed and sorted
• 1 tablespoon oil or bacon grease
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6-7 cups water or broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

A Note About Seasonings

You might notice cumin in some of my ingredient photos. Originally, I planned to season these beans with cumin and other Southwest spices. In the end, I decided to keep things simple.

Since I planned to use these beans in several different recipes, I wanted a versatile base that could be seasoned later. By sticking with onion, garlic, salt, and pepper, I ended up with a batch of beans that could easily be transformed into soups, salads, rice bowls, casseroles, and side dishes.

If you’re serving the beans on their own, feel free to add cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, or your favorite seasoning blend after cooking.

Why Aren’t These Cooked with Meat?

When I make pinto beans, I almost always add bacon, sausage, ham, or some other smoky meat. Black beans are a little different.

Throughout Mexico and much of Latin America, black beans are often cooked quite simply, allowing their rich, earthy flavor to shine. Because they have such a distinctive flavor on their own, they don’t necessarily need meat to be satisfying.

Of course, if you’d like to add bacon, smoked sausage, ham, or even a ham hock, feel free. That’s one of the joys of cooking from scratch—you can make the recipe your own.

How to Cook Black Beans in the Instant Pot

Turn the Instant Pot to the Sauté setting. Add the oil or bacon grease and sauté the onion for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

Add the black beans, water or broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing.

Cook on High Pressure for 30-35 minutes. Allow a natural release for 15-20 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure. Remove the bay leaf and stir. If the beans aren’t quite as tender as you’d like, simply turn the Instant Pot back to Sauté and simmer for a few additional minutes.

What to Expect from these Black Beans

Loaded with flavor and texture, these are the perfect bean to complement any dish. Keep reading to discover our favorite uses for Black Beans!

Storage

Store cooked black beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

For longer storage, freeze in portion-sized containers along with a little of the cooking liquid. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What Can You Make with Black Beans?

Once you’ve cooked a batch of black beans, the possibilities are nearly endless. Here in Texas, black beans show up in all sorts of Tex-Mex and Southwest-inspired dishes. They’re hearty, affordable, and easy to incorporate into everyday meals.

Some ideas to get you started:

• Black Bean and Corn Skillet
• Southwest Bow Tie Pasta Salad
• Southwest Rice Bowls
• Taco Bowls with Grilled Chicken
• Black Bean Soup
• Black Bean Chili
• Tex-Mex Stuffed Peppers
• Black Bean Quesadillas
• Loaded Nachos
• Black Bean and Corn Salsa
• Black Bean Burgers
• Breakfast Burritos
• Taco Salads
• Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas
• Black Bean Dip

Who knows? One of those ideas might become your family’s next favorite meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to soak black beans before cooking?

No. One of the biggest advantages of the Instant Pot is that you can cook dried black beans without soaking them overnight.

How long do black beans take to cook in the Instant Pot?

Most dried black beans cook in 30-35 minutes at High Pressure, followed by a natural release.

Can I use broth instead of water?

Absolutely. Broth adds additional flavor and works beautifully in this recipe.

Can I add cumin while the beans cook?

Yes, but I prefer to keep the base recipe simple so the beans can be used in multiple dishes later.

Can I cook black beans with bacon?

Definitely. Bacon, ham, smoked sausage, and ham hocks all pair well with black beans.

Why are my black beans still firm?

Older beans can take longer to cook. Simply simmer them on the Sauté setting for a few extra minutes.

Can I freeze cooked black beans?

Yes. Freeze them with some of the cooking liquid for best results.

What do black beans taste like?

They’re rich, earthy, slightly sweet, and more robust in flavor than many other beans.

Are black beans healthy?

Black beans are high in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to many meals.

What’s the best way to serve black beans?

They’re delicious in burrito bowls, salads, soups, side dishes, tacos, and Southwest-inspired recipes.

That’s it for this post, friends!

If you make these black beans and use them in any dishes, let us know! We are always looking for new ways to use old favorites.

Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

About the Cook

Janice is a Texas food blogger, author, and lifelong home cook who believes some of the best recipes are also the simplest. Growing up around hearty Southern meals and later falling in love with Tex-Mex flavors, she enjoys creating easy dishes that bring people together around the table. Whether she’s feeding family, delivering meals to friends in need, or sharing recipes on Backyard Texas Grill, her son-in-law’s site, Janice loves food that’s affordable, flavorful, and made with real-life cooks in mind. These simple black beans are a perfect example—a humble side dish with endless possibilities.