Instant Pot Baked Beans are a quick and easy way to enjoy the classic, sweet, and smoky flavor of traditional baked beans in a fraction of the time. Made with dried beans, bacon, molasses, and a rich tomato-based sauce, these beans are perfectly tender and infused with bold flavors. The pressure cooker takes the long cooking process of traditional baked beans and reduces it to under an hour, making this dish a great option for weeknight meals, potlucks, or barbecues. Whether served as a side or a main dish, these Instant Pot Baked Beans are hearty, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried navy beans, rinsed and sorted
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 4 cups water or chicken broth
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the pot.
- Sauté the onion and garlic: Add the diced onion and garlic to the pot with the bacon fat, cooking for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add the beans and liquid: Add the rinsed navy beans, water or chicken broth, and stir to combine. Turn off sauté mode.
- Pressure cook the beans: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 25-30 minutes, depending on how soft you prefer the beans. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before carefully releasing any remaining pressure manually.
- Add the sauce ingredients: Stir in the ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and the cooked bacon. Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode again and simmer for 5-10 minutes to thicken the sauce, stirring occasionally.
- Season and serve: Taste the baked beans and add salt if needed. Serve the beans warm, garnished with extra bacon if desired.
These Instant Pot Baked Beans are sweet, smoky, and tender, making them a perfect side dish for any barbecue, potluck, or casual family meal!