Instant Pot Baked Beans don’t require hours of simmering on the stove, but are just as flavorful. It’s one of my favorite recipes for summer BBQs or holidays.
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Why this Instant Pot Baked Beans Recipe is a Keeper
I love this Instant Pot recipe because it’s a quick and easy one pan side that’s super delicious. Plus, it’s even better than canned baked beans from the store.
- Rich Flavor: Sweet, smoky and savory flavors taste like they simmered all day.
- Hands-Off Cooking: The Instant Pot handles most of the work for you.
- Budget Friendly: Dry beans make this recipe affordable for feeding a crowd.
- Perfect for Gatherings: A dependable side dish for BBQs, holidays and potlucks.
- Serve With: Serve this delicious and easy recipe with Chili Cheese Dogs, Orzo Mac and Cheese or Grilled Steak Kabobs.
Do you Need to Soak Beans Overnight Before Making Baked Beans in the Pressure Cooker?
Nope! One of the best things about making beans in the instant pot is that there’s no need for even a quick soak.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
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“Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!.”
~Allyssa
Ingredient Notes for Pressure Cooker Baked Beans
You only need a few easy-to-find ingredients, many of which you probably have in your pantry already.
This is an overview of key ingredients. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Great Northern Beans: These beans specifically bring a slightly nutty flavor. You could also try navy beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans for this recipe.
- Veggies: I prefer to use fresh onion, garlic and bell peppers for my cooked beans.
- Bacon: Use your favorite type of bacon to go with this delicious recipe.
Variations and Substitutions for Sweet Baked Beans
The best baked beans ever are super easy to customize. Take this recipe for baked beans to the next level by making them with a different flavor profile or with different protein.
➡️ Add Heat: Stir in diced jalapeños or hot sauce for spicy baked beans.
➡️ Swap Bacon: Use smoked sausage or omit meat for a vegetarian version.
➡️ Different Sweetener: Replace part of the sweetener with maple syrup or molasses for a slightly different flavor profile.
➡️ Add BBQ Flavor: Stir in the barbecue sauce for a sweeter cookout-style version.
Kitchen Tools To Make Homemade Baked Beans Easier
A specific piece of equipment can sometimes make all the difference in easy instant pot baked beans. For this recipe, just one thing is absolutely necessary.
- Instant Pot: An 6 quart Instant Pot pressure cooker will quickly make baked beans from scratch, without the need to presoak the beans.
How to Make Instant Pot Beans with Bacon
This baked beans made in an instant pot comes together in just 3 quick and easy steps. They’re truly so good, and great for holidays or summer get-togethers.
These are just highlights. Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cook the Bacon: Cut the bacon into pieces and place into an Instant Pot set to ‘sauté’ mode. Saute until crispy, then remove to drain on paper towels. Save about 2 Tablespoons of grease in the bottom of the pot, and discard the rest.
- Add the Beans: Add beans in the minced garlic, green bell pepper, onion, paprika, salt and pepper, Worcestershire sauce, most of the water and apple cider vinegar. Cover the beans, cook on high, then let the pressure naturally release.
- Add Brown Sugar & Thickener: Add the bacon, honey, brown sugar and tomato sauce, and bring to a boil. In a separate bowl, mix together the cornstarch and the rest of the water. Stir in the slurry while the beans are boiling.
Prep Ahead and Short Cut Tips for Perfect Baked beans
Start preparing ahead of time so that the cooking process is as easy as can be.
➡️ Chop Ingredients Early: Prep onions and bacon ahead for faster assembly.
➡️ Soak the Beans in Water Overnight: Optional soaking the beans overnight can reduce cooking time slightly. Drain and rinse beans. Buying canned beans can also reduce cook time, just be sure to drain the beans well if you use canned beans.
➡️ Cook Ahead: Flavor improves after resting overnight in the refrigerator.
➡️ Freeze Portions: Great for meal prep and future cookouts.
Alternate Cooking Methods for One Pot Beans
Make these flavorful beans another way by using your crock pot, Dutch oven or stovetop.
- Slow Cooker: If you don’t want to pressure cook the beans, you can slow cook them. Beans can be adapted for long, slow cooking after soaking.
- Dutch Oven: Traditional oven-baked beans work well for deeper caramelization.
- Stovetop: Let the beans cook low and slow until beans become tender.
Why Are my Instant Pot Baked Beans Watery?
If your baked beans are watery, it’s probably due to too much water. The best way to fix this is to let them simmer, uncovered, so some of the extra liquid can steam off.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Store beans in an airtight container, or tightly covered with plastic, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed.
- Using Leftovers: Serve leftover baked beans alongside grilled meats, burgers, hot dogs or breakfast eggs.
Expert Tips for Making Pressure Cooker Beans
➡️ Check Bean Freshness: Older beans take longer to soften and may cook unevenly.
➡️ Use Natural Release: Quick release can leave beans firmer than desired.
➡️ Stir After Cooking: Sauce thickens and coats the beans more evenly after stirring.
➡️ Let Rest: Beans taste even better after sitting for a few minutes before serving.
➡️ Watch Liquid Levels: Too much liquid creates thin sauce that needs extra simmering.
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Instant Pot BBQ Baked Beans
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces Bacon
- 4 Tablespoons Garlic, minced
- 1 pound Great northern beans, rinsed, dried
- 1 Green bell pepper, diced
- ½ Onion , diced
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cups Water, divided
- ½ cup Honey
- ⅓ cup Brown sugar
- 8 ounces Tomato sauce
- 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
Instructions
- Cut the bacon into bite size pieces and toss into the instant pot on sauté mode. Sauté the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside. Keep 2 Tablespoons of bacon grease in the instant pot.
- Add the garlic, beans, vegetables, spices, vinegar, Worcestershire, and 3 ½ cups of water and pressure cook on high for 50 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes after finished cooking.
- Add the honey, brown sugar, bacon and tomato sauce. Place on sauté mode and bring it to boil. In a cup, mix the cornstarch and remaining water into a slurry. Stir the slurry into the boiling beans.
- Let sit and cool before serving.
Christina’s Notes
- Use Fresh Beans: Fresh beans often give the best texture. Using older beans can result in a longer cook time and uneven texture.
- Natural Release Instant Pot: Doing a quick release may not leave the beans as soft as desired.
- Allow to Rest: Let the beans soak up all the delicious flavor for a few minutes before serving.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.

Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!