07.01.20

Instant Pot Healthy Baked Beans

Holy moly… I just LOVE Baked Beans, and these Instant Pot Baked Beans are just magic. 

Growing up in the South, I’ve eaten my fair share of baked beans. Sweet, smokey, and sometimes spicy — I just love them.  If you’ve never had baked beans before, they are beans cooked in the oven with molasses and sugar (amongst a few other ingredients) and served at just about every potluck dinner, summer bbq, and big party!  This recipe right here is a pretty classic example of what I grew up eating. 

Instant Pot Baked Beans

I wanted to re-imagine this traditional recipe with ingredients that I personally prefer to use in my kitchen. Instead of molasses and brown sugar, I opted for coconut sugar and coconut aminos to add that quintessential sweetness that every baked bean recipe needs. I also opted to cook mine in the InstantPot because…well, don’t we all love to get things on the table just a little quicker? Don’t worry, if you don’t have an InstantPot the crockpot method is included in the notes below. 

These Instant Pot Baked Beans came out absolutely DELICIOUS. Sweet, tangy, and slightly smoky. I just know you all are going to love these. Pair them with my Juicy Indoor Burgers with Burger Sauce, Bourbon Braised Brisket, or any other party favorites!

Instant Pot Baked Beans

Serves: 6 people
Print
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time35 mins

Ingredients

  • 4 strips no sugar bacon, cut into 1/2 inch cubes I like Applegate Brand
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion about 1/2 large onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper plus more to taste
  • 3 [15-ounce] cans white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tbsp coconut aminos
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup chicken or veggie broth
  • 2 tbsp coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne

Instructions

  • Hit the 'saute' button on the InstantPot. When it is nice and hot, add the cubed bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is almost crisp, 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Add the onion, garlic, salt and pepper and continue to cook, stirring, until the onions are tender, about 4 more minutes.
  • Hit the 'cancel' button.
  • Add the *drained and rinsed* beans, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, tomato paste, broth, coconut sugar, smoked paprika, cayenne (optional for spicier beans). Gently stir until well combined.
  • Place the bay leaf on top. Place the top back on the InstantPot. Make sure the valve is 'sealed' at the top.
  • Press the 'manual' button (some InstantPot buttons are different, yours may say 'pressure' or 'high pressure' instead of manual). Then decrease the time to just 20 minutes. walk away from the IP and let it do it's thing.
  • When the cook time is complete, carefully (I do this using a kitchen towel) move the valve at the top and 'vent' and release the pressure of the IP. When the steam has completely stopped releasing, carefully open the IP.
  • Stir the beans and taste to add more salt and pepper, if needed/desired!
  • Serve and enjoy!!

Notes

CROCKPOT METHOD:
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon pieces and cook, stirring often, until almost crisp, 4-5 minutes. 
  2. Add the onions, garlic, salt and pepper and continue to cook, stirring, until the onions are tender, about 4 minutes. 
  3. Transfer all contents in the skillet to a crockpot and add all the remaining ingredients. Gently stir until just combined. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. 
  4. Taste and add more salt if desired/needed.
  5. Enjoy!

10 Comments

  • Reply
    Katie
    February 21, 2023 at 7:38 pm

    Can you make this with another type of white bean? Like cannelini or great northern? Thanks!

    • Reply
      Alex
      February 22, 2023 at 12:44 am

      Yes great northern will work here!

  • Reply
    Amy
    September 22, 2022 at 2:24 am

    5 stars
    So delicious! They’re great to bring to a potluck, but I also love making a batch for lunch or even breakfast (doing the British thing). I get a lot of compliments every time I make them.

  • Reply
    Joe C
    May 30, 2022 at 12:01 am

    5 stars
    Made this yesterday to go with a smoked pork loin. Made it again today! Outstanding!!! Thank you!

    • Reply
      Alex
      May 31, 2022 at 2:24 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it!!

  • Reply
    Stephani Connell
    March 24, 2021 at 9:59 pm

    Should a bay leaf be in the list of ingredients? I just put this together and noticed it said to put a bay leaf on top but that is not in the list of ingredients.

  • Reply
    Brklyn
    February 1, 2021 at 10:06 pm

    How would I make this using dry beans? I already have dry kidney beans on-hand so would love to use them!

    • Reply
      Alex
      February 3, 2021 at 6:06 pm

      I would defintely pre-soak the dried beans first.. and I am not sure how long it would take in the IP but I think 45 mins would be worth a shot. I haven’t tried it to say for sure.

  • Reply
    Allison
    January 15, 2021 at 10:25 pm

    Have you ever made this without the bacon? I love that it’s a healthier option but I am not a meat eater!

    • Reply
      Alex
      January 15, 2021 at 10:53 pm

      i haven’t, but im sure it’s still fabulous! maybe do 1 full teaspoon of smoked paprika to ramp up the smokey-delicious flavor

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