Cooking Kidney beans with an electric pressure cooker seems to challenge even the experienced foodies out there.

Like chickpeas, I use dry kidney beans a few times every month, and pressure cooking has become second nature to me now.

A bowl of cooked kidney beans are on the table near the Instant pot.

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So, I decided to share my tips to make cooking beans easier. Once you understand the cooking process for dry beans, there are a lot of instant pot recipes at your disposal!

Instant pot beans have become a staple in my kitchen because I can use these cooked kidney beans in my rajma masala, rajma pulao, and many Indian rajma recipes.

So, if you have an instant pot or are planning to buy one, let me give you a simple kidney beans instant pot recipe that is perfect for beginners.

Jump to:

Why I love this
Ingredients
Instructions
Tips
Storing cooked kidney beans
Flavor variations
Can I cook the kidney beans without soaking?
Related recipes
📖 Recipe
Comments

Why I love this

It is simple, easy, and saves time. It's better than canned kidney beans.
Pressure cooking is faster and easier than using the slow cooker or the crock pot.
Nutritious: Kidney beans are a good source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Cooking them in an instant pot helps retain their nutrients compared to canned beans.
Versatile: Once you have cooked kidney beans in the instant pot, you can use them in various dishes like soups, stews, curries, and salads.

Ingredients

Kidney beans
Water

See the recipe card for a list of ingredients and quantities, plus recipe instructions. You can find the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Instructions

A bowl is with water and soaked kidney beans on the counter top.

Soak the rinsed kidney beans overnight in water in a large bowl. This helps reduce the cooking time and also makes them easier to digest.

Drained soaked kidney beans on the strainer.

Rinse them well and drain the excess water.

An instant pot is with soaked kidney beans and water.

Transfer the soaked kidney beans to the instant pot.

Pour enough water to cover the beans, about 1-2 inches above the level of the beans. I added 6 cups of water for 2 cups of beans.

An instant pot is with Kidney beans cooking on chili mode.

Close the lid and press the bean/chili button on high for 30 mins. Use the natural pressure release option.

A spoon is with cooked Instant pot kidney beans.

Open the lid, and your cooked kidney beans are ready to be used in any rice recipe you choose! (save the water for curry, soup, and stew recipes.)

To make it more flavorful, you can also add some spices like cumin, turmeric, cajun seasoning, and salt before cooking the beans.

Tips

Soaking kidney beans is essential as it reduces the cooking time and makes them easier to digest.
Be sure to use the natural release option instead of the quick release option, as it will have a big impact on the texture.
Cooking with too much water would slow down the cooking process. 3 Cups of water for every cup of beans is a good measure.
To make it more flavorful, you can also add some spices like 1 teaspoon cumin powder, ½ teaspoon turmeric, and salt before cooking the beans.
Retain the cooked water from the instant pot to use as a broth. I add them to curries and soups.

Storing cooked kidney beans

Refrigerator: You can store the cooked kidney beans in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It's best to use an airtight container or resealable bags. Always let the beans cool before refrigerating.
Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze them. Frozen cooked kidney beans can last up to 6 months. To prevent freezer burn, cool the beans and store them in airtight freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
Reheating: When you're ready to use the frozen beans, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or in the microwave using the defrost function, and then heat them on the stove or in the microwave until they are hot.

Remember, always store the beans with their cooking liquid. The liquid acts as a preservative, keeping the beans moist and flavorful. Plus, it can be used as a base for soups or stews.

Flavor variations

While kidney beans in the instant pot are indeed flavorful on their own, you might want to switch things up a bit. Here are some variations that you can try:

Mexican Style: Add ingredients like diced tomatoes, cumin, garlic, and jalapenos while cooking the beans. Top with fresh cilantro before serving. This variation pairs well with tacos, burritos, or any Mexican dish.
Indian Rajma: Add Indian spices such as turmeric, coriander, garam masala, bay leaf, and amchur (dry mango powder) for a traditional Rajma flavor. You can also saute onions, tomatoes, and ginger-garlic paste before adding the beans for an authentic taste.
Smoky BBQ: For a unique twist, add barbeque sauce, liquid smoke, and a hint of brown sugar while cooking. This sweet and smoky variant is a great sandwich filling or a barbeque side dish.

Can I cook the kidney beans without soaking?

You can cook kidney beans without soaking them, but it will take longer. For unsoaked beans, the cooking time in an instant pot is about 1 hour on high pressure. Remember that an overnight soak helps reduce the cooking time and makes them easier to digest.