Instant Pot Ham and Beans (from dry beans)
Ingredients
- 16 ounces dried navy beans
- 8 cups water
- 1 tablespoon fine sea salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 8 ounces cubed ham
- 1 medium onion
diced
- 1 large carrot
peeled and diced
- 1 rib celery
diced
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 5 cups chicken broth
homemade or store-bought low sodium
- 1½ teaspoon fine sea salt
if using homemade broth or water
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Directions
- 1
Spread the navy beans on a rimmed baking sheet and discard any stones, dirt, or broken beans. Rinse the beans, then do an overnight soak or a quick soak.
- 2
Cover the beans with 8 cups water and add 1 tablespoon salt. Leave the beans to soak for at least 8 hours (or overnight). Drain the beans and discard the soaking liquid.
- 3
Put the beans, 8 cups of water, and 1 tablespoon of salt in an Instant Pot or another pressure cooker. Pressure cook at high pressure for 1 minute ("Manual" or "Pressure Cook" mode in an Instant Pot), then let the pressure come down naturally for a full 30 minutes. (Quick release any pressure remaining after 30 minutes, but let the beans rest for the full 30 minutes, even if the pressure releases itself earlier.) Drain the beans and discard the soaking liquid.
- 4
Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode adjusted to high (medium-high heat in a stovetop PC). Add the vegetable oil and heat until shimmering, about 3 minutes. Stir in the ham, onion, carrot, and celery, and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt. Sauté, occasionally stirring, until the onions soften, about 5 minutes. Stir the red pepper flakes into the onions and sauté for 1 more minute.
- 5
Pour the chicken broth into the pot, and stir in 1½ teaspoons salt if using homemade broth or water. Scrape the bottom of the pot with a flat-edged wooden spoon to loosen any stuck bits of ham, onions, or spices. Stir the drained navy beans into the pot.
- 6
Lock the Instant Pot lid and pressure cook at high pressure for 10 minutes. (Use "Manual," "Pressure Cook," or "Pressure Cook: Custom" mode set to 10 minutes in an Instant Pot. If you're using a stove top pressure cooker, cook for 8 minutes at high pressure). Let the pressure come down naturally, about 20-30 minutes. If you're in a hurry, you can quick release any remaining pressure after 15 minutes of natural release
- 7
Carefully remove the lid, tilting it away from you to avoid the hot steam. Stir in the freshly ground black pepper. Ladle into bowls, serve, and enjoy!
Instant Pot Ham and Beans (from dry beans)
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Based on 3 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving a classic, comforting bowl of ham and beans without the all-day simmer? This Instant Pot Ham and Beans recipe delivers that deeply satisfying, old-fashioned flavor using dried navy beans, all thanks to the magic of pressure cooking. You'll bring this hearty meal to your table with about an hour of active cooking.
The genius of this recipe lies in its ability to transform humble dried navy beans into a creamy, tender dish without any pre-soaking. The Instant Pot drastically cuts down the cooking time, allowing the beans to become perfectly soft and absorb all the savory goodness from the cubed ham and aromatic vegetables in a fraction of the time a stovetop version would take. This means genuine, homemade comfort is achievable even on a busy weeknight.
Prepare for a truly comforting and flavorful experience. Each spoonful of these ham and beans offers wonderfully tender, creamy navy beans intertwined with savory pieces of ham. The rich broth is deeply infused with the flavors of onion, carrot, and celery, creating a well-rounded and hearty meal. It’s the kind of warm, satisfying dish that nourishes both body and soul, tasting like it simmered for hours, but ready far more quickly.
This recipe offers simple ways to customize it to your liking. Feel free to adjust the red pepper flakes up or down to achieve your preferred level of warmth and spice. While navy beans are a staple here, other small white beans, like great northern beans, could be used as an alternative, though cooking times might need slight adjustment based on their size and age. For an extra layer of richness, remember that homemade chicken broth often provides a more profound depth of flavor.
Serve this hearty Instant Pot Ham and Beans with a side of warm cornbread or crusty bread for dipping into the flavorful broth. It’s an ideal, satisfying main course perfect for cozy family dinners, especially as the weather turns cooler.