Instant Pot Mexican Black Beans - No Soak

Black beans, also known as black turtle beans, are a small and shiny type of beans which are very popular in Latin American cuisine. Because of its popularity, it has been introduced in other cuisines around the world.

Black beans in one of the main dishes in Mexican meals for making Chipotle-style burritos, bowls, and tacos. They are vegan, gluten-free and great as a side dish or for potlucks!

Black beans can be cooked dry or soaked overnight or for few hours. Dried black beans can be easily cooked in an instant pot without soaking.

Ingredients for Mexican style black beans

Making this easy Mexican black beans in an instant pot requires very few basic pantry ingredients. Here I am using dry black beans but this recipe can easily be adapted to use canned ones, which of course would need no pressure cooking.

Chopped onions, bayleaf and cumin powder add flavor to this homemade black beans. I like to add a small piece of serrano pepper for mild spiciness. You can either skip it or adjust it according to your taste.

If you like it more spicy, you can also add some red chili powder while cooking. To make this recipe vegan, I have used oil but it can be replaced with vegan butter.

Do you have to soak beans for instant pot?

Instant pot is very convenient for pressure cooking beans. Black beans can be easily cooked in an instant pot without soaking. If you still prefer to soak the beans for a few hours or overnight, then the overall pressure cook time will reduce.

This is an easy no soak Mexican black beans recipe for the instant pot. The beans turn out perfect, they hold their shape and are neither dry nor mushy.

How many cups black beans in a pound?

1 lb bag of black beans is 2 cups by measurement. A small batch of 1 cup black beans would yield about 2.5 cups of cooked beans.

How much water for black beans in instant pot?

After a few tries, a 1:2.5 black beans to water ratio in instant pot works perfectly. This ensures that all the beans are cooked evenly. There is only a little water remaining in the pot once the black beans are cooked and that is perfect to allow the beans some moisture and not let them dry.

How to cook black beans in instant pot?

Instant pot is the best way to pressure cook black beans and there is no need to soak the beans. You can make a small batch of 1 cup black beans or cook a larger batch and freeze it for later, instant pot works perfectly for both!

To cook dry black beans in the instant pot, rinse the beans well with water before cooking. It helps clean the beans thoroughly before pressure cooking. Turn the saute mode on by pressing the saute button on the normal setting.

Once the instant pot is hot, put some oil followed by bay leaf, chopped onions and saute with a spatula for a few seconds until the onions are translucent.

Add the rinsed dried black beans, serrano pepper, water, salt, and cumin powder in the instant pot and give it a mix. Press the cancel button and come out of saute mode. Lock the instant pot lid with the pressure release valve in sealing position and allow the beans to pressure cook.

How long to cook black beans in instant pot?

Black beans are cooked to perfection in the instant pot without making it mushy by cooking on high-pressure mode for 20 minutes followed by natural pressure release.

Initially the instant pot will take some time to come to pressure and then cook for 20 minutes. Once it turns off, it will release the pressure naturally until the silver pin drops. So overall it will take about an hour to cook but you will be completely hands off for the entire time.

What goes good with black beans?

Mexican style black beans are best served with hot rice or cilantro lime rice. To add more flavor, add some lime juice and some chopped cilantro for garnishing. Black beans are also good as a side dish.

Cooked black beans are perfect for making Chipotle style burritos, bowls and tacos by serving along with cilantro lime rice, hot and mild salsa, guacamole and topped with cheese.

How to store cooked black beans?

Cooked black beans store well in the fridge or in the freezer. You can store black beans in the fridge for about 4-5 days. When you are ready to eat, simply reheat the black beans in the microwave or on the cooktop.

Cooked black beans can be stored in freezer-safe containers or bags for about 3 months. You can make a big batch of black beans in the instant pot and then allow it to cool down before making portions for freezing.

When you are ready to use the frozen black beans, defrost them in the microwave and then continue heating it in the microwave or on the cooktop and serve it hot.

If you enjoyed this recipes, you may also like these beans recipes

• Rajma masala
• Chana masala
• Black chickpeas curry
• Mixed beans curry

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