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These Instant Pot Navy Beans are a game-changer for anyone looking to save time and money while cooking from scratch. Whether you choose to soak your beans or cook them straight from dry, this foolproof method yields perfectly tender beans every time.
If you're mastering Homemade Instant Pot Beans, it only makes sense to add Instant Pot Navy Beans to the list. They're just as versatile and budget-friendly as Instant Pot Garbanzo Beans, Instant Pot Refried Black Beans, and Instant Pot 15 Bean Chili. They’re also high in protein and fiber, making them a great, cheaper addition to soups, stews, salads, and more.
Cooking dry beans from scratch is significantly cheaper than buying canned beans. For example, 1 pound of dried navy beans costs $1.34 at my local Walmart.
In contrast, the same amount of canned navy beans can cost upwards of $6 (4x as expensive!). Overtime, these small amounts of savings add up to BIG savings, especially when you're shopping at the cheapest grocery stores for the best savings.
If you’re looking to maximize your grocery savings and enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals, this Instant Pot navy beans recipe is a must-try. For more ways to save money using your Instant Pot, download my free ebook: 7 Ways an Instant Pot Will Save You Money.
Ingredients
- Navy beans: For the base recipe you'll need 1 pound or 16 ounces of dried beans. If you'd like to double the recipe for meal prep or freezer meal prep, feel free to do so!
- Water: I keep it simple and typically cook my navy beans in water. If you prefer, vegetable broth, chicken stock, or chicken broth are fine alternatives.
- Kosher salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavor of the beans, but can be omitted for salt-free beans.
How to Make Instant Pot Navy Beans (Unsoaked beans)
- Rinse the beans: Pour 1 pound of dry navy beans into a fine mesh strainer. Rinse the beans under cold water and remove any foreign debris, as needed.
- Add ingredients to Instant Pot: Add the rinsed beans, 8 cups of water, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt (if using) to the Instant Pot's inner pot.
- Set the Instant Pot to high pressure: Secure the lid and set the valve to the “sealing” position. Pressure cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.
- Quick release the pressure: When the timer beeps, carefully switch the valve to the “venting” position to manually release the pressure.
- Strain and serve: Strain the beans to drain out the remaining water. Enjoy in your favorite white bean recipes or freeze for later use.
How to Cook Soaked Navy Beans in the Instant Pot
- Soak the beans: Cover the beans with 3 inches of water and soak beans for 8 to 12 hours, or overnight. Make sure to do this in a large bowl as the beans will expand considerably. Strain before cooking.
- Add ingredients to Instant Pot: Add the soaked beans, 4 cups of water, and ½ teaspoon of kosher salt (if using) to the Instant Pot.
- Set the Instant Pot to high pressure: Secure the lid and set the valve to the “sealing” position. Pressure cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Natural pressure release: When the timer beeps, carefully switch the valve to the “venting” position to manually release the pressure. If you allow for a full natural release, the beans will be way over done!
- Strain and serve: Strain the beans to drain out the remaining water. Enjoy in your favorite recipes or store for later use.
Serving Suggestions
Cooked navy beans are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes and cuisines. Here are some healthy recipe ideas to get you started:
- Soups and Stews: Add cooked navy beans to Tuscan White Bean and Kale Soup, White Bean Chili, White Bean Stew, Instant Pot Navy Bean Soup with Ham Hock, and more.
- Salads: Toss navy beans into salads for a hearty and nutritious boost. Try them in a Mediterranean Bean Salad or a simple bean and veggie mix, like this Charred Corn Salad with White Beans.
- Baked Beans: Use cooked navy beans as the base for my Homemade Instant Pot Baked Beans. Mix with ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, and spices, then cook until tender and delicious!
- Veggie Burgers: Give them a try in these delicious Quinoa and White Bean Veggie Burgers!
Instant Pot Navy Beans Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound (16 ounces) dry navy beans
- 8 cups water
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt optional
Instructions
- Pour dry navy beans into a fine mesh strainer. Rinse under cold water and remove any foreign debris.
- Add dry beans, water, and salt, if using, to the instant pot.
- Set the valve to the “sealing” position. Pressure cook on high pressure for 25 minutes. When the timer beeps, carefully switch the valve to the “venting” position and manually release the pressure.
- Strain the beans to drain out the remaining water.
Notes
- For soaked beans: Place the beans in a large bowl and cover with 3 inches of water for 8 to 12 hours, or overnight. Strain before cooking. Follow step 2 and 3, but instead of cooking for 25 minutes, cook for 10 minutes. Follow step 4.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: The Nutritional Information provided for this recipe is only an estimate. The accuracy of the facts listed is not and cannot be guaranteed.
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Recipe FAQs
How do I know if the navy beans are ready?
Cooked navy beans should be tender and creamy. They should easily mash with a fork but still hold their shape.
Can I use this recipe to cook Great Northern beans or cannellini beans (white kidney beans)?
While all are white beans, they are different beans and do have a slight variation in cooking times. For example, both Great Northern beans and cannellini beans are larger in size than white navy beans, with cannellini beans being the largest.
As a general rule of thumb, add 5 minutes to the recipe's cook times for Great Northern and 10 minutes for cannellini beans.
For exact cooking times for these beans, check out Instant Pot Great Northern Beans and Instant Pot Cannellini Beans.
Can I use broth instead of water?
Yes, cooking navy beans in vegetable or chicken broth adds extra flavor. Just replace the water with an equal amount of broth. Then, when straining the beans from the excess liquid, reserve the broth for making my White Bean Soup or even Instant Pot Baked Beans!
How much do navy beans expand when cooked?
1 pound of dry navy beans yields about 6 cups of cooked beans. This is the equivalent of about four cans of white beans.
Do I need to adjust the cooking time if I double the recipe?
No, the cooking time remains the same when doubling the recipe in the Instant Pot.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover navy beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Freezing Instructions
Freeze navy beans in 2-cup portions using freezer bags or Souper Cubes. Reheat directly from frozen in the microwave for 5-7 minutes, or until warm and tender.
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4 Comments
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Great and easy recipe!! Can dressed up if you want a different flavor!! Love the simplicity!!
I soaked my beans about 12 hours and cooked 10 minutes in the instant pot as directed in the recipe. I’d like for the beans to be just a tiny bit softer, but I’m using them for soup, and I think they’ll be perfect when the soup is done. I recommend trying this. It’s so much faster than cooking them on the stovetop!
Cooked soaked beans as instructed and turned out perfect!!
Quick and easy. Thanks!