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–+ servings

Instant Pot Ultimate Baked Beans Recipe

This Instant Pot baked beans recipe delivers rich, smoky, and sweet flavors in just 90 minutes.
Using dried pinto beans, bacon, and a blend of maple syrup, molasses, and barbecue sauce, this dish is perfect for cookouts or a comforting side.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Southern United States
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Instant Pot (or any electric pressure cooker)

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound dried pinto beans rinsed and drained
  • 8 cups ham or chicken broth or water
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter ¼ stick
  • 1 pound thick-cut bacon diced
  • 1 large Vidalia (sweet) onion diced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Sweet & Smoky Sauce

  • ⅓ cup molasses
  • ⅓ cup maple syrup
  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • ⅓ cup barbecue sauce
  • ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard powder
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice or cinnamon as a substitute

Instructions
 

  • Cook the Beans: Add the rinsed pinto beans and broth (or water) to the Instant Pot. Secure the lid, set the valve to sealing, and select Manual/Pressure Cook on High for 25 minutes. Once complete, let the pressure release naturally for 25 minutes, then do a quick release. Turn off Keep Warm mode.
  • Drain and Rinse: Carefully remove the inner pot and drain the beans in a colander. Rinse with cool water and set aside. Return the inner pot to the Instant Pot (no need to clean it).
  • Sauté the Bacon: Set the Instant Pot to Sauté (More/High setting) and melt the butter. Add diced bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crispy (about 10 minutes). Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined bowl, reserving the grease in the pot.
  • Cook the Onion: Add the diced onion to the bacon grease, stirring occasionally. Cook for 5 minutes, until softened. Stir in Worcestershire sauce and scrape up any browned bits.
  • Make the Sauce: Mix in molasses, maple syrup, ketchup, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, liquid smoke, mustard powder, and allspice. Stir until well combined. Keep Warm mode should remain on.
  • Combine Everything: Return the cooked beans and crispy bacon to the Instant Pot, stirring to coat evenly in the sauce. Let it sit on Keep Warm for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Vegetarian Option: Skip the bacon and just sauté the onions in butter.
Make It Spicier: Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.
Thicker Sauce: Simmer on Sauté mode for a few extra minutes if needed.
Keyword easy pressure cooker recipes, homemade baked beans, Instant Pot baked beans, instant pot recipes, smoky baked beans, sweet and savory beans
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