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Black Beans in a white bowl on a wooden board garnished with lime wedge and cilantro

Instant Pot Mini - Tasty Black Beans

Instant Pot Mini - Tasty Black Beans is another 3 quart electric pressure cooker recipe in my "Mini Series" of smaller portion meals. These beans have a lot of Southwest flavor, and are cooked from dry beans. No soaking required!

Course Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine Tex Mex
Keyword pressure cooker black beans
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 3 cups
Calories 232 kcal
Author Sandy Clifton

Ingredients

  • 3 slices Bacon, chopped (I use thick sliced lean)
  • ½ small Onion, diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic, pressed or finely minced
  • 1 small Bay Leaf
  • 2 tsp Cumin
  • ½ tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 ½ tsps Mexican Oregano (or 1 tsp oregano)
  • 1 tsp Chili Powder
  • ¼ tsp Kosher Salt (or ⅛ tsp table salt, use ¼ tsp if not using bacon)
  • ¼ tsp Black Pepper
  • ½ tsp Coriander Powder
  • 3 cups Chicken or Vegetable Broth,** low sodium
  • 1 cup Dry Black Beans, sorted & rinsed

Garnish

  • Sour Cream
  • Fresh Cilantro
  • Salsa
  • Cotija or other Cheese
  • Hot Sauce

Instructions

  1. Turn on pot to Sauté function (Normal/Med heat). When the display reads Hot, add the bacon. Stir, and cook until mostly done. Spoon out any excess fat.

  2. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally for a couple of minutes.

  3. Add garlic, bay leaf, cumin, paprika, oregano, chili powder, salt, pepper, and coriander powder, stirring frequently. Don't let the garlic burn. You can add a little of the broth if it looks like it is too hot.

  4. Add the broth. Stir.

  5. Add the beans. Stir.

  6. Put the lid on the pot and lock it in place. Set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.

  7. Cancel the Sauté function.

  8. Press the Pressure Cook (Manual) button or dial and then the + or - button or dial to choose 35 minutes.

  9. When the cooking cycle ends, let the pot sit for 15 minutes (natural release). Then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to release the remaining pressure/steam (there may not be any, and that's okay).

  10. When the pin in the lid drops, open the lid and stir the beans. Taste and adjust salt, if needed.

  11. Garnish as desired and serve.

Recipe Notes

*You can make this vegetarian by omitting the bacon and using vegetable broth. Just sauté the onions first in a little olive oil. Then continue with the recipe as written.

**If you want this to be a soup, add a fourth cup of broth. Maybe add some chopped carrots and celery, too.