5 Favorite Instant Pot Bean Recipes
Fast, hearty, and ready in 30 minutes or less — no soaking required!
From creamy red lentil dal to black beans & rice and apple cinnamon oats, these are the 5 Instant Pot bean recipes I make most in my kitchen.
They’re simple, affordable, and perfect for beginners — just like the recipes in my 100 Beginner’s Instant Pot Bean and Grain Cookbook (only $0.99 on Kindle!).
If you love one-pot meals, you might also enjoy my Stockpot Cookbook: 139 Simple and Hearty Recipes for Every Occasion — perfect for soups, stews, and big-batch comfort food.
I’ve designed this post as a printable recipe card — save it, print it, and keep it on your fridge for easy weeknight meals.
1. 🌿 Creamy Red Lentil Dal
Prep: 5 min | Cook: 10 min | Servings: 4
Comforting, spiced with turmeric and cumin — perfect with rice or naan
You’ll Need:
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp turmeric
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- ½ can (7 oz) coconut milk
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro & lime (to serve)
Instant Pot Steps:
1. Add all ingredients (except cilantro & lime).
2. Seal → Manual (High Pressure) 10 minutes.
3. Natural release 5 minutes → Quick release.
4. Stir well, adjust seasoning, and serve.
💡 Great for meal prep — freezes beautifully! For more batch-friendly ideas, see my Stockpot Cookbook for freezer-friendly stews and soups.
2. 🌶️ Black Beans & Rice (Cuban-Style)
Prep: 10 min | Cook: 25 min | Servings: 4–6
One pot, zero soaking, full flavor — ready in under 30 minutes
You’ll Need:
- 1 cup dried black beans
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp cumin, salt to taste
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Steps:
1. Sauté onion, pepper, and garlic in oil (use “Sauté” mode).
2. Add beans, rice, broth, bay leaf, and spices.
3. Seal → Manual (High Pressure) 25 minutes.
4. Natural release 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf. Fluff and serve.
💡 Add avocado or hot sauce for extra flavor! This is the kind of meal I design for real kitchens — just like in my full collection of $0.99 cookbooks.
3. 🧄 White Bean & Garlic Soup
Prep: 5 min | Cook: 25 min | Servings: 4
Creamy, cozy, and restaurant-worthy with minimal effort
You’ll Need:
- 1 cup dried cannellini beans
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 sprigs rosemary or thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt & pepper
- Lemon zest (to finish)
Steps:
1. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil.
2. Add beans, broth, and herbs.
3. Seal → Manual (High Pressure) 25 minutes.
4. Quick release. Blend half with immersion blender.
5. Stir in lemon zest. Serve with crusty bread.
💡 Make it extra creamy with a splash of coconut milk. For more comforting one-pot meals, check out my Stockpot Cookbook — it’s packed with soups like this one.
4. 🔥 Chili-Style Pinto Beans
Prep: 5 min | Cook: 25 min | Servings: 4
Hearty, meatless, and freezer-friendly — perfect for tacos or bowls
You’ll Need:
- 1 cup dried pinto beans
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp oregano
- 3 cups water or broth
- Salt to taste
- Optional: corn, diced tomatoes
Steps:
1. Sauté onion, pepper, and tomato paste for 1 minute.
2. Add beans and liquid.
3. Seal → Manual (High Pressure) 25 minutes.
4. Natural release 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning.
💡 Serve over baked potatoes, rice, or in tortillas! Want more chili ideas? My Stockpot Cookbook includes several hearty chili variations.
5. 🍎 Steel-Cut Oats with Apple & Cinnamon
Prep: 3 min | Cook: 3 min | Rest: 10 min | Servings: 2
No stirring, no mess — breakfast made easy
You’ll Need:
- ½ cup steel-cut oats
- 2 cups water or milk
- 1 apple, diced
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (add after)
- Optional: walnuts, raisins
Steps:
1. Add oats, liquid, apple, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Seal → Manual (High Pressure) 3 minutes.
3. Natural release 10 minutes.
4. Stir. Add maple syrup and toppings.
💡 Double the batch and refrigerate for quick weekday breakfasts! For more simple morning meals, stay tuned — a new baking cookbook is coming soon!
📘 Love These Recipes?
There are 95 more just like them in my 100 Beginner’s Instant Pot Bean and Grain Cookbook — only $0.99 on Kindle!
And if you're a fan of one-pot comfort food, don't miss my Stockpot Cookbook: 139 Simple and Hearty Recipes for Every Occasion.
💬 Let’s Connect
Have you tried one of these recipes? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below or tag @rossivoss on social media.
And if you want more beginner-friendly tips, subscribe to my blog or follow me on Amazon.
Happy cooking — may your pot always whistle with joy. ❤️
— Rossi Voss