Should I rinse dried beans before cooking?

Yes! Always rinse dried beans under cold water until the water runs clear to remove dust, debris, and excess starch.

When should I add salt to my beans?

Add salt after cooking or during the natural release phase. Adding it too early can toughen the skins.

Can I use broth instead of water?

Yes, but use low-sodium broth so you can control the seasoning. It adds rich flavor to your beans.

Do I need to soak beans for the Instant Pot?

No, soaking is optional. Unsoaked beans cook perfectly in the Instant Pot with no texture loss.

The 5 Instant Pot Beans Mistakes and How to Fix Them

The 5 Biggest Mistakes When Cooking Beans in the Instant Pot (and How to Fix Them)

Cooking beans in the Instant Pot can be a game changer—faster, easier, and more hands-off than the stovetop. But if your beans turn out too mushy, undercooked, or flavorless, you might be making one of these common mistakes. Let’s fix them once and for all.

1. Skipping the Rinse

The mistake: Pouring dry beans straight into the pot without rinsing. Beans can carry dust, dirt, or debris.

The fix: Always rinse beans under cold water until the water runs clear. This ensures a cleaner flavor and texture. It also removes loose starches that can cause foaming.

2. Forgetting the Salt (at the Right Time)

The mistake: Adding salt too early, which can toughen bean skins—or skipping salt altogether.

The fix: Add salt after cooking, or midway through natural release. This keeps beans tender but flavorful. A pinch of salt makes all the difference in depth.

3. Using Too Little Water

The mistake: Underfilling the pot. Without enough liquid, beans won’t cook evenly and may scorch.

The fix: Use at least 3 cups of liquid per 1 cup of dry beans. Broth adds extra flavor. I always use low-sodium broth so I can control seasoning later.

4. Not Accounting for Bean Variety

The mistake: Cooking all beans as if they were the same. Black beans, chickpeas, and kidney beans all need different times.

The fix: Adjust cook times by bean type. For reference, check out my Instant Pot Beans Perfection Guide with a bean-by-bean chart.

5. Ignoring Natural Release

The mistake: Quick-releasing pressure as soon as the timer beeps. This can split skins and unevenly cook beans.

The fix: Allow at least 10–15 minutes of natural release before venting. This helps beans finish cooking gently and evenly.

Bonus: Flavor Boosting Tips

Add onion, garlic, or bay leaf directly to the pot.
Use broth instead of water for richer beans.
Stir in olive oil or butter after cooking for silkier texture.
Add a strip of kombu (dried seaweed) to aid digestion and reduce gas.

Master these fixes and your Instant Pot beans will turn out consistently tender, tasty, and ready for soups, salads, tacos, and meal prep.