How and Why To Cook Dry Beans in the Instant Pot

One of the benefits of owning an Instant Pot is the ease and health benefits of cooking your own  dry beans as opposed to the downside of using canned beans which I will explain.

There are basically two easy steps- 

• Soak dry beans overnight- 
• Pressure cook for 20 minutes- (see step by step instructions at end of post)

Dry beans such as chick peas, black beans, pinto beans, etc. usually take hours to cook on the stove top . I used to make them in the slow cooker but again it was time consuming and the beans often came out mushy.

The Instant Pot seems to be the easiest and best way to make perfect beans from dry beans. You can then use the beans the same way you would canned beans.

Why do I cook my own beans as opposed to opening a can of beans?  I have a few reasons. 

1. Canned beans are very high in salt - which is not good for anyone. For example, a 1 cup of black beans from a can have up to 1000 mg of salt - that's too much-

2. Almost all cans have BPA or similar chemicals in the can lining which seeps into the beans. 

3. Most cans are made of aluminum- a metal that can accumulate in the brain and has been suspect in Alzheimers since Alzheimer's patients often test for high levels of aluminum .

4. Economical- A bag is dry beans are very economical. A bag can cost 1.29 and make 5 times as many beans as a $1.29 can of beans. 

5. Although cans are convenient - making your own is so much healthier and less toxic-

HOW TO COOK DRY BEANS IN THE INSTANT POT 

1. Soak 2 cups of dry beans overnight or for at least 8 hours. The soaking process makes the beans easier to digest. Discard water. 

2. Place soaked beans, 4 cups of water, 1/2 teaspoon of salt ( garlic is you like) in the IP. 

3. Close lid and secure that the steamer valve is closed.  

4. Pressure cook for 20 minutes and allow steam to self release for 15 minutes. 

Enjoy your beans!