This Instant Pot Ham & Beans recipe is the epitome of comfort food – warm, filling, and bursting with flavor. It uses just 5 ingredients and is truly a set-it-and-forget-it meal.
Ham & Beans are perfect for those chilly nights when you need something to warm you up from the inside. Not only is it delicious, but it’s also packed with nutrients. The beans are a great source of protein and fiber, while the ham provides a savory touch that perfectly balances the dish.
I can’t overstate how incredibly easy it is to prepare. Thanks to the Instant Pot, what typically takes hours on the stovetop or in a slow cooker can be achieved in a fraction of the time, without sacrificing the depth of flavor that slow cooking imparts.
This recipe is also budget-friendly, making it an excellent choice for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.
The combination of creamy beans, savory ham, and aromatic spices creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. The texture is just as satisfying, with the beans tender and the ham falling off the bone.
» You might also like this Instant Pot Chili.
Ingredients List
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delectable dish:
- Dried northern beans – There is no need to pre-soak the beans. You do have to use dried beans, so there is enough time to cook the ham while the beans are cooking. Don’t substitute with canned beans.
- Ham hocks or meaty ham bone – I used one large 2-pound ham hock. You can use leftover meaty ham bones, pork knuckle or any type of ham bones you can find at the store.
- Onion – I used a white onion, chopped.
- Salt
- Water
- Bay leaf – this is optional, but does add a bit more flavor to the beans
Equipment Needed
- Instant Pot – I use a 6-quart Instant Pot Duo Plus to make all of my recipes, but you can use any size or brand of electric pressure cooker. If you’re using an 8-quart pot, you will need to adjust the amount of liquid accordingly, as it requires more water to build steam.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- You can skip the soaking of the beans for this recipe, as the Instant Pot does a good job of cooking the beans thoroughly.
- If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can give the beans a good stir and it will start to thicken up. The beans will thicken naturally as they cool, so I don’t recommend too much stirring. Any liquid left when you open it will get soaked up.
- Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking. You can add other seasonings like garlic, thyme, or smoked paprika for additional flavor.
- If you’re using a salted ham, you’ll want to leave out the additional salt. You can always adjust the seasoning after cooking.
Instant Pot Ham & Beans
Note: Made in a 6-qt Instant Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound (455 g) dried northern beans
- 2 pounds (907 g) ham hocks or meaty ham bone
- 1/2 onion chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon (6 g) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) ground black pepper
- 4 cups (946 ml) water
Instructions
- There is no need to pre-soak the beans before adding them to the Instant Pot.
- Place all of the ingredients in the Instant Pot. Lock the lid in place and set the valve to sealing (if necessary for your model).
- Cook on high pressure for 45 minutes.
- Allow a natural release of pressure for 15 minutes, then release the remaining pressure and open the lid. Stir and enjoy.
Notes
- You can skip the soaking of the beans for this recipe, as the Instant Pot does a good job of cooking the beans thoroughly.
- If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can give the beans a good stir and it will start to thicken up. The beans will thicken naturally as they cool, so I don’t recommend too much stirring. Any liquid left when you open it will get soaked up.
- Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking. You can add other seasonings like garlic, thyme, or smoked paprika for additional flavor.
- If you’re using a salted ham, you’ll want to leave out the additional salt. You can always adjust the seasoning after cooking.
Nutrition
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover ham and beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply microwave or warm on the stove until heated through.
This dish also freezes well. If you wish to freeze leftovers, let them cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat before serving.
Questions About the Recipe
Why don’t you have to soak beans in the Instant Pot?
This is a highly contested topic. There are those who feel that dried beans should always be soaked before cooking. That it benefits you in shorter cooking time, less gas, and allows the beans to hold their shape better.
While working through this recipe we have found that the Instant Pot cooks dried, non-soaked beans just as well as pre-soaked ones. With little to no cooking time difference and they all seemed to hold their shape just fine.
Many times remember to or having time to pre-soak dried beans is what makes people shy away from cooking them. It can be a pain. That is why this recipe is so great. No pre-soaking required.
What can I add to beans for flavor?
One of the best ways to impart flavor into beans is to use smoked ham hocks. Making sure to salt the beans well is another great way to add flavor. You can also add some jalapeno, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes for some spice.
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Laura is a passionate home cook and the owner of A Pressure Cooker Kitchen. She is dedicated to helping people create delicious Instant Pot meals with ease. Laura is an expert at developing recipes that can be prepared quickly and easily using a pressure cooker.
I’m going to use this recipe, but I’m going to soak my beans first. I notice you don’t say whether you soaked them or not. It would be helpful if that was noted. Thank you for the recipe.
I’m sorry for the confusion Tammy. It is explained in the post that soaking isn’t required for this recipe but not in the recipe card. I have updated the recipe card to avoid confusion in the future. I hope it came out good for you. It’s one of our favorite recipes.