These southern style pinto beans are made in the Instant Pot in much less time than the traditional version. Follow along to learn how easy it is to make ham and beans in the Instant Pot.
These Instant Pot Pinto Soup Beans are an essential to Appalachian cuisine and they’re made in the traditional style with ham, all in one pot. Did you know, you can make Instant Pot Pinto beans with ham hock or salt pork? Both are equally delicious!
Contents
What are soup beans?
Pinto soup beans get their name from Spanish origin. Pinto literally means “painted” The cute little stripe on uncooked pinto beans looks as though it has been painted on.
In Appalachian dishes, soup beans are a popular choice for cornbread, as a side dish, or with some Southern-fried potatoes and onions.
What can I serve with Instant Pot pinto soup beans?
Growing up in Southeastern Kentucky, we always served soup beans with cornbread, green onions, tomatoes and a protein like steak or chicken.
You can serve them as a side or even the main course, as they are a very versatile food.
If you do not have an Instant Pot and prefer a little chicken stock in your soup beans, I recommend Grandbaby Cakes recipe.
How do you make pinto soup beans and ham hock in the Instant Pot?
Pressure cooking pinto beans in the Instant Pot is easy.
First, I recommend pre-soaking your beans to lessen cook time at least 8 hours prior to pressure cooking your beans.
This will cut your pressure cooking time in half, and you’ll only need to pressure cook them for 20 minutes, as opposed to 40.
Next, you’ll add in about 6 oz. cured salt pork (ham hock) to the pot, seal and cook.
Can you pressure cook pinto beans without soaking?
While I recommend soaking your beans at least 8 hours prior to cooking, you may choose to not soak your beans.
How to pressure cook dry pinto soup beans (not soaked) in the Instant Pot:
First, place 5 cups of water with 11/4 cup dry pinto beans into the pressure cooker with your ham. Then, place your lid on, cooking multigrain for 40 minutes at normal.
Tip! Do not add salt if you are using cured salt pork (or ham hock).
And, the same goes for the Foodi! If you have a Ninja Foodi, seal the vent and cook for 40 minutes with your ham (no salt).
How long can pinto beans last in the refrigerator?
You can keep pinto soup beans in the refrigerator for two or three days, as they are cold and will not spoil.
Pinto Beans (Instant Pot)
Equipment
- Instant Pot or Foodi Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 lb pinto beans
- 4 cups water (5 if beans are not soaked)
- 6 oz salt pork cured
Instructions
Pressure Cooked from Soaked Beans
- Rinse and clean beans, making sure to remove any pebbles.
- Soak beans for approximately eight hours. Remove and rinse.
- Add 4 cups of water and ham, and pressure cook on high for 20 minutes.
- Be sure that your pressure valve is sealed while cooking and natural release for at least 15 minutes.
Pressure Cooked from Dry
- Rinse and clean beans, making sure to remove any pebbles.
- Add water and ham and pressure cook on high for 40 minutes.
- Be sure that your pressure valve is sealed while cooking and natural release for at least 15 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
If you like Instant Pot Soup Beans, you’ll love:
Donna
In the story it says use 4 cups if water for un-soaked beans. In the recipe it says 5 cups. Which is it??
Amber
4 cups is the correct amount, 5 if you like more watery / soupy beans.