Easy Instant Pot Navy Beans (No Soak Necessary)

Instant Pot Navy Beans are super quick to make in the Instant Pot with just three simple ingredients and no soaking necessary.

Who doesn’t love a bowl of heartwarming, nutritious navy beans? They’re not just for soup! The ultimate comfort food, navy beans are versatile and can be used in a multitude of dishes. But because the cooking time is more, people don’t often make them from dried, opting instead for canned beans, but you don’t need to do that anymore if you use your Instant Pot.

You’ll also want to try these no soak chickpeas or black beans made from dried beans cooked in the Instant Pot.

Why You’ll Love It

• In just 30 minutes, with extra time for pressurizing, you can have perfectly cooked navy beans to use as you like. We put them in several dishes like salads, stews, and casseroles.
• The Instant Pot is definitely the tool to use when cooking your own beans from dried. They take a lot of time to make on the stovetop and require overnight soaking, so I say skip that tedious process and use the pressure cooker instead.
• This easy-to-follow method will open up a world of delicious, hearty meals, perfect for busy days or whenever you need a protein-packed pick-me-up.

What are Navy Beans?

Navy beans, also known as haricot beans, are small white beans native to the Americas. They got their common name from their extensive use in the U.S. Navy during the 19th century. These beans are dense, smooth, and have a slight nutty flavor, which makes them an excellent choice for a wide range of recipes.

Navy beans are not just tasty, but also nutritious. They are high in fiber and protein, and are a good source of essential minerals like iron and magnesium. Consuming navy beans can help support heart health, promote healthy digestion, and provide sustained energy, making them a great choice for health-conscious eaters.

However, navy beans, like many other legumes, contain a type of sugar called raffinose. Raffinose is a complex sugar that humans cannot fully digest because our bodies lack the necessary enzyme to break it down. When raffinose reaches the large intestine, the bacteria there ferment it, producing gas as a byproduct, which can lead to flatulence or discomfort.

One way to reduce the raffinose content in navy beans is to soak them prior to cooking. However, even with this no-soak Instant Pot method, the cooking process can still help to break down some of the raffinose.

» You might also like Instant Pot Ham & Beans.

Ingredients You’ll Need

With these three simple ingredients, you can quickly cook navy beans in your Instant Pot, without the need to soak them first. Keep in mind that 1 cup of dried beans produces about 2 1/2 cups cooked beans. You can double or triple the recipe, as needed.

• Dried navy beans: The main ingredient is dried navy beans. Make sure you buy fresh beans and don’t use ones that have been stored in your pantry for years. They cook differently.
• Broth or water: You will need plenty of liquid to cook the navy beans. You could use broth for more flavor, but be sure to use low-sodium so they aren’t too salty.
• Olive oil: I find that the olive oil gives the beans a silkier texture. It’s not required, however so leave it out if you like.
• Salt: Add salt to season the beans so that they soak up flavor and are not bland.
• Bay leaf and garlic (optional): If you want to add additional savory flavor to your beans, you can add in a bay leaf and garlic. I don’t tend to add them because it’s not suitable for all the recipes I’ll use my beans in.

Helpful Tips

Here are a few tips and substitution ideas that will give you good results and make your Instant Pot navy beans taste even better:

• You can use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water to cook the beans. This will add more flavor to the beans. Add chicken bouillons to the water if you don’t have chicken broth. If you are a vegan, use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock. Opt for low-sodium.
• For more flavor, add spices like cumin, bay leaf, onion or garlic powder. You can also season the cooked navy beans with black pepper or a dash of paprika.
• You can cook the beans with onion and red pepper for an additional boost of flavor.
• If you like the beans to be softer, cook them for 30 minutes instead of 25 minutes.

How to Make Instant Pot Navy Beans

Step 1: Soak the beans (optional)

If you want to dissipate some of the raffinose that causes the build up of gas in the gut, soak them for 1 hour in cold water, then drain. This is not a necessary step. If you don’t have a problem digesting beans, you don’t need to soak them.

Step 2: Add the ingredients to the pot

Add the beans, olive oil, salt, and water (or broth) and bay leaf and garlic, if using, to the Instant Pot.

Lock on the lid and set the vent to sealing. Pressure cook on high for 25 minutes. It will take about 5-10 minutes to come up to pressure.

When the time is up, allow the steam to release naturally, about 5 minutes then release the remaining pressure. Remove the lid and stir the beans. If they aren’t as soft as you like them, put them back on for another 5 minutes with a quick pressure release.

If you’re doubling or tripling the recipe, be very careful when you release pressure or remove the lid, because the water can bubble up and bubbles can blow out the vent. This doesn’t happen if you let the pressure completely release naturally.

Storing Cooked Navy Beans

Once cooked, navy beans can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a week. Make sure to store them in an airtight container with some of their cooking liquid to prevent them from drying out.

For longer-term storage, cooked navy beans can be frozen. Just portion them out into freezer-safe containers or bags, again with some of their cooking liquid, and they can last for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and serving.

How to Use Navy Beans

We like to eat navy beans as a side dish of their own, alongside whatever main dish. They are very versatile though and can be used in a number of different preparations.

• Soup/Stew: Navy beans are often used in hearty soups or stews, such as the classic Navy Bean Soup, which usually includes ham or bacon. They are also a key ingredient in Senate Bean Soup, a U.S. classic served in the Senate’s dining hall since the early 20th century.
• Baked Beans: Navy beans are the traditional choice for baked beans. They are slow-cooked with molasses or brown sugar, mustard, and bacon until they reach a sweet, tangy perfection.
• Bean Salad: Navy beans can be used in a variety of bean salads. Just toss them with some vegetables, a protein of your choice, and a vinaigrette for a quick, nutritious meal.
• Bean Dip/Spread: Puree cooked navy beans with garlic, olive oil, and your favorite seasonings to create a healthy spread for sandwiches or a dip for veggies and chips.
• Side Dish: Simply seasoned navy beans make a great side dish for any meal. Add some garlic, herbs, and a splash of lemon juice for a tasty and nutritious accompaniment to your main course.
• Pasta and Rice Dishes: Navy beans can be added to pasta or rice dishes for added protein and fiber.
• Vegetarian or Vegan Entrées: Navy beans can replace or supplement meat in a variety of dishes, from chili to casseroles, making them a favorite ingredient for vegetarian or vegan cooking.
• Bean Burgers: Mash navy beans with a mix of vegetables, spices, and breadcrumbs, and then pan-fry or bake them to create flavorful vegetarian burgers.
• Desserts: Believe it or not, navy beans can even be used in desserts! Bean purees can add moisture and nutritional value to baked goods like brownies and cookies, while also reducing the amount of fat needed in the recipe.

Questions About the Recipe

Like this recipe? We’d love for you to share it on your Pinterest boards! Click to follow our Pinterest boards so you can find all our recipes! You can also find us on Facebook!