Instant Pot Baked Beans

Looking for a dish that steals the show at the next picnic or potluck? This is it! Instant Pot baked beans are loaded with tangy, smoky barbecue flavor, enhanced by spices that stand out as something special in the world of baked-bean recipes. The entire dish takes 35 minutes of cooking time, plus a little time to release pressure. If you want to eat these baked beans as a main course instead of a side, we won’t tell.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Baked Beans 

• Great northern beans: The dried beans in this recipe are free from any additives, unlike many of the canned beans on store shelves. Additive-free beans offer better control over sodium, and seasonings in general, when you make this dish.
• Ham hocks: Smoked ham hocks add tangy deliciousness to the baked beans, as well as a slightly smoky flavor.
• Onion: The onion will add a little crunch and bite to these Instant Pot baked beans.
• Garlic powder: Garlic powder contributes garlicky umami without the bite of fresh garlic.
• Onion powder: Onion powder adds a hint of flavor to the dish as a whole, mixing in with the liquids in the baked beans.
• Barbecue sauce: Barbecue sauce adds a sweet, savory and sometimes smoky flavor to the baked beans. In this recipe, it serves as a sauce base to customize with additional seasonings.
• Brown sugar: The brown sugar imparts a slight molasses note to the flavor of this dish.
• Nutmeg: Nutmeg adds flavor that is woodsy, nutty and slightly sweet. It also adds depth to the overall flavor and aroma of the dish.
• Ground cloves: Ground cloves offer a sweetly spicy aroma and flavor to the sauce surrounding the beans.
• Hot pepper sauce (optional): Hot sauce brings the heat if you like a little zing in your baked beans.

Directions

Step 1: Sort and rinse the beans

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Sort the beans to remove any broken beans, as well as debris and dirt. Rinse the beans in a colander, then place them in a 6-quart electric pressure cooker.

Step 2: Briefly cook the beans and ham hocks

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Add the ham hocks, water and onion, plus 1 teaspoon each of the garlic powder and onion powder. Lock the cooker lid and close its pressure-release valve, then set the cooker to “high” and cook for 30 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure.

Step 3: Cool and cube the ham

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Remove the ham hocks, cutting the meat into small cubes once it cools. Place the cubed meat back into the pressure cooker. Discard the bones.

Step 4: Complete the recipe

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Stir in the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, nutmeg, cloves, remaining garlic and onion powders, and the hot sauce, if desired. Lock the cooker lid and close the pressure-release valve, then cook on a high setting for three minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for five minutes, then quick-release any remaining pressure.

Editor’s Tip: If you’re not sure about adding hot sauce, wait until the recipe is finished, taste the dish as is, then stir in just a few drops of hot sauce at a time, if you feel the beans need it. Some barbecue sauces already taste spicy, so there may be no need to spice up the beans with more hot sauce.

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Recipe Variations

• Try them vegan: Omit the ham hocks and add liquid smoke, if additional smoky flavor is desired.
• Swap the ham with bacon: Replace the ham with cooked crispy bits of bacon. Baked beans and bacon are practically made for each other.
• Make your own barbecue sauce: Customize baked beans in an Instant Pot by making your own barbecue sauce! Omit the store-bought sauce, and during the second cook phase, use 1/2 cup each of molasses and brown sugar, plus 2 teaspoons dry mustard, keeping the other ingredients the same. Delicious!

How to Store Instant Pot Baked Beans

Store the cooled baked beans in the refrigerator in a non-metallic storage container with an airtight lid. This dish keeps for up to four days in the fridge.

How to Freeze Instant Pot Baked Beans

Instant Pot baked beans will last for several months in the freezer. Place the cooled beans in zippered freezer bags stored flat to stack, or use stackable, non-metallic, freezer-safe containers with airtight lids. Freeze the beans in small portions for a quick side dish on a busy day.

Can I make Instant Pot baked beans ahead of time?

Absolutely. This baked beans dish is an excellent make-ahead option a day or two before a gathering with family and friends. The flavors marinate a bit overnight, making the beans taste even better!

 Instant Pot Baked Bean Tips

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Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?

Yes, this Instant Pot baked beans dish is just as tasty made in a slow cooker. Sort, soak and rinse the dried beans according to package directions, then boil them with two inches of water covering them for 15 minutes, draining the beans afterward. Run the beans and ham hocks through the first cooking phase for 8 to 10 hours on low, remove and cube the ham off the ham hocks, then place them back in the cooker along with the remaining ingredients. Set the slow cooker to the highest setting, cover, then cook for 30 more minutes.

How can I keep the sodium level down?

Check bottles of barbecue sauce and hot sauce to ensure your choices have low sodium. Ham hocks and other forms of ham are high in sodium as well, so omit them. Liquid smoke seasoning offers a smoky flavor with much less sodium.

I have dried navy beans. Can I use those instead?

Yes, dried navy beans work just as well in this recipe, as both beans are similar in size and have a similar cook time. The flavor profile isn’t much different once they’re all sauced up and ready to eat.