Instant Pot Baked Beans

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These delicious Instant Pot Baked Beans will take your summer barbecues to the next level.  Making baked beans in instant pot is so easy, and they’re ready to serve in less than 30 minutes!

Suitable for gluten free diets.

top down view of the completed instant pot baked beans recipe

Baked beans in Instant Pot can be made with dried beans, but using canned beans speeds up the process. Homemade beans don’t have to be complicated, and Instant Pot Baked Beans are incredibly simple to make.

Putting sweet, smoky homemade baked beans on the table in under 30 minutes is simple when you make this easy baked beans recipe. 

On their own, canned beans can lack flavor. Adding chopped onion, lots of smoky bacon, a hint of brown sugar, and your favorite BBQ sauce will make this the best bean recipe you’ve ever made. This Baked Beans Instant Pot recipe is easy and delicious, and it makes for a classic recipe your whole family will love.

Want even more tips for cooking canned beans? Then be sure to check out my How To Cook Canned Pinto Beans and How To Cook Canned Chickpeas recipe posts.

top down view of the completed instant pot baked beans served in a white dish with a serving spoon on the side

Pressure cooking baked beans in the Instant Pot is easy and gives you deliciously sweet baked beans every time. Instant Pot BBQ Beans are a favorite for potlucks and picnics, and, of course, backyard barbecues. 

Why Make This Recipe

  • Incredible Flavor – These Instapot baked beans have a deep, rich flavor that’s often lacking in canned baked beans. 
  • Quick Cooking – Easy baked beans cook in just 10 minutes since we’re using canned beans.
  • Versatile – There are so many ways to customize these BBQ Beans so you can make a recipe that highlights your favorite flavors.  
  • Homemade Flavor – Homemade beans are so much more flavorful than canned beans. 

Ingredient Notes

  • Bacon – select your favorite bacon and chop into half-inch pieces.
  • Aromatics – diced yellow onion and minced garlic add flavor and depth to the recipe. 
  • Water – for deglazing the bottom of the Instant Pot insert.
  • BBQ sauce – Select your favorite sauce; it will impart deep flavor to these beans. 
  • Brown Sugar – light brown sugar has a mellow flavor. Use dark brown sugar if you prefer more of a molasses taste. 
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – This small amount of acid cuts the sweetness and marries all the flavors together. 
  • Seasonings – ground mustard powder and smoked paprika add flavor while red pepper flakes (optional) add a little heat.
  • Canned Beans  – use either dark or light kidney beans, be sure to drain the beans and rinse them.
the ingredients for making instant pot baked beans

Ready to make this Baked Beans Instant Pot recipe? Gather your ingredients, and I will show you…

How To Make Instant Pot Baked Beans

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

  1. Set Instant Pot to sauté, add chopped bacon, and cook until the bacon is browned and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon, leaving the grease in the insert. 
  2. Add the chopped onion to the bacon grease and cook for about 3 minutes, until translucent. Then add garlic and cook for an additional minute, making sure it doesn’t burn.
  3. Pour the water into the Instant Pot and gently scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to remove any browned bits and prevent a burn notice.
  4. Add remaining ingredients, including the cooked bacon, and stir to combine. 
  5. Place the lid on, turn the valve to the sealing position, and set to manual pressure / high pressure for 10 minutes.
  6. When done, allow for a 5-minute natural pressure release, then perform a quick pressure release of any remaining pressure. Open the lid, season with salt and ground black pepper, then serve. 
image collage showing the steps for making bbq beans in instant pot

Expert Tips 

  • Leave the bacon grease in the Instant Pot insert to cook the onions and garlic. 
  • If you prefer to lighten up these beans a bit, drain the grease and use olive oil for the aromatics. 
  • Feel free to use maple syrup instead of brown sugar. Maple syrup is a natural sweetener and is a great swap if you are avoiding processed sugars. 
  • Water prevents the sauce from becoming too thick. For a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of water you add. 
  • If the Instant Pot Baked Beans aren’t smoky enough, stir in a splash of liquid smoke
  • To avoid mushy beans, follow the cooking time listed in the recipe. 
  • The cooking time listed does not include the time needed for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure. 
the completed beans recipe on a table

Delicious Variations

  • Swap The Beans – Kidney beans are a favorite, but you can certainly swap in other beans. Try canned pinto beans, great northern beans, rinsed navy beans, or a bean mixture in your Instant Pot Baked Beans.
  • Vegetarian Baked Beans – Simply omit the bacon for a tasty vegetarian version of beans Instant Pot. 
  • Customize – By adding tomato sauce, liquid smoke, maple syrup or honey, chili powder, tomato paste, bell pepper, salt pork, and Worcestershire sauce to this easy baked beans recipe. 
  • Use Dried Beans – You can make this with dry beans like navy beans, pinto beans, northern beans, or your favorite beans. For presoaked dry beans, you will need to increase the cooking time to 25-35 minutes at pressure, followed by a natural release of pressure.

Prep And Storage

  • Prep Ahead – Cook beans and then use the keep warm function in the Instant Pot for about an hour. They may begin to dry out after that. 
  • Store – Leftover Instant Pot baked beans can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. 
  • Freeze – Transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
the finished baked beans recipe in a white serving dish

FAQs

Can I Make Baked Beans In The Slow Cooker?

This bean recipe can be adapted for the slow cooker. Cook the bacon, onions, and garlic in a separate pan and add it to the crock pot with all of the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until warmed through and the beans are tender. 

How Long Do You Cook Baked Beans In Instant Pot?

Since this bean recipe uses canned beans rather than dried beans, the cooking time is significantly reduced. The cooking times impart the flavor to the already cooked beans. For this baked beans recipe, the pressure cooking time is just 10 minutes at high pressure. 

Can I Make Baked Beans In Advance?

Leftover beans can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days and reheated in the microwave or in a skillet, so they are ideal for making in advance. 

a spoon dipping into a dish filled with  beans

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top down view of the completed instant pot baked beans recipe
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Instant Pot Baked Beans

Make delicious baked beans in less than 30 minutes!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Western
Servings: 8
Calories: 556kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • ½ pound (226g) bacon chopped into half-inch pieces
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup (236g) water
  • 1 cup (280g) BBQ sauce
  • ¼ cup (57g) apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup (100g) brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons dry mustard powder
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 62 ounces (1.756kg) kidney beans (four 15.5 ounce cans) drained and rinsed

Instructions

  • Set Instant Pot to sauté, add chopped bacon, and cook until the bacon is browned and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon, leaving the grease in the insert.
  • Add the chopped onion to the bacon grease and cook for about 3 minutes, until translucent. Then add garlic and cook for an additional minute, making sure it doesn't burn
  • Pour the water into the Instant Pot and gently scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to remove any browned bits and prevent a burn notice.
  • Add BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, mustard powder, red pepper flakes (if using), beans and cooked bacon. Stir to combine. 
  • Place the lid on, turn the valve to sealing position, and set to manual pressure / high pressure for 10 minutes.
  • When done, allow for a 5-minute natural pressure release, then perform a quick pressure release of any remaining pressure.
  • Open the lid, season with salt and ground black pepper, then serve. 
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Notes

  • Cook the bacon first and leave the bacon grease in the pan to cook the onions and garlic. 
  • If you prefer to lighten up these baked beans a bit, drain the grease and use olive oil for the aromatics. 
  • Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar. Maple syrup is a natural sweetener and is a great swap if you are avoiding processed sugars. 
  • Water prevents the sauce from becoming too thick. You can use chicken broth if preferred. 
  • For a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of water you add. 
  • If the Instant Pot Baked Beans aren’t smoky enough, stir in a splash of liquid smoke. 
  • To avoid mushy baked beans, follow the cooking time listed in the recipe. 
  • The cooking times listed do not include the time needed for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure.
  • Storage – keep in an airtight container inside the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 556kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 981mg | Potassium: 704mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 222IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 3mg

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