Instant Pot Ham and Beans

Instant Pot Ham and Beans are ready in 2 hours and using leftover ham makes them extra delicious and filling.

Plant Based Meal

There are lots of reasons I try to have a plant-based supper at least one time a week. Health benefits are top of my list.

For me, that doesn't mean it's a vegetarian meal, but more like meat has a supporting role in the dinner show for the night.

Serving of Instant Pot Ham and Beans with cornbread and hot sauce.

Beans for the Health of it

Everyone has their own opinion about what is "healthy" and I'm no different.

I try to eat foods that are mostly real foods, but also know that convenience foods make life easier at times.

So, I'm all about trying to have a real-life balanced version of healthy.

I recently heard a speaker say our microbiome needs at least 20 different plant foods each week to be happy.

Agree or not, I thought that was a good reminder for me to eat a greater variety of plants.

Instant Pot Ham and Beans gives a filling way to feature beans as the star of this show.

Ingredients for Ham and Beans

Simple recipe list and easy prep, with impressive results.

Leftover Ham Bone--from a ham cooked using my 3-Ingredient Ham Glaze Recipe
Dry Beans of your choice--I used Pinto Beans because that's what my Grandma Gertie and my momma always cooked
Salt--beans take a good amount of salt, but adjust a little due to ham's high sodium content
Pepper--momma never put pepper in her beans, but I like it in mine
Garlic Clove--I like a big, fat one cooked with the beans for flavor
Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning--you will see throughout the recipes on my site that I use Tony's in a lot of recipes. I like the interest it brings to dishes, including this one
Bacon Grease--a delicious by-product of cooking bacon worth saving that brings flavor to these beans and all kinds of other dishes--including my Bacon Grease Chocolate Chip Cookies
Baking Soda--just a little bit helps keep some people from experiencing the gassiness that sometimes comes with eating beans
Water--cover the beans to soak then drain them, and cover again with fresh water.

Instant Pot and Ingredients for Instant Pot Ham and Beans.

How to make Instant Pot Ham and Beans

Instant Pots vary. These directions are using

Quick Soak: I use the quick soak technique for beans as I don't usually plan ahead enough to soak overnight.

Pour the dry beans into the Instant Pot and cover with water by 2 inches or so. Turn the Instant Pot to the "roast" setting which is 350 degrees on my IP.

With the lid on bring the beans to a boil. Then turn the Instant Pot off and allow your beans to soak for 1 hour, undisturbed.

After one hour, drain the soaking water off the beans and return the beans to the Instant Pot.

Cook:

To the soaked beans, add the seasonings, garlic clove, bacon grease, and ham bone.

Cover the beans by 2 inches of water or so. Replace the lid.

Set the Instant Pot to "roast" and allow to cook until tender. Mine took an hour and 15 minutes to be the desired tenderness.

If your beans start to get low on water, add hot/boiling water to the pot.

If you like your beans a bit thicker and soupier, smash a few beans when the beans are tender and allow the beans to thicken.

We serve with cornbread, diced onions, and a few shakes of pepper sauce such as Crystal Hot Sauce.

Beans covered by two inches of water in an Instant Pot.

Adding seasonings, garlic clove, bacon grease, and ham bone to the beans.

EQUIPMENT 🔪

I'm not usually one to like kitchen gadgets because I don't like storing them. But my Instant Pot Aura Pro has proven to have many uses in my kitchen.

The specific Instant Pot I have has been discontinued, but I found the Instant Pot Max to be similar, and it has a sous vide setting.

FAQ

Do I have to soak my beans before cooking?

For me, I say yes.

Some people find that unsoaked beans are difficult to digest.

I know many recipes say you don't need to soak, but I prefer the consistency of the beans when they are soaked and the beans take less cooking time, so I ask, why not soak your beans?

Do I have to have ham when cooking beans?

Absolutely not! Leave the ham out completely. I often make plain beans and enjoy them, too.

If you leave the bacon grease out, this recipe works for vegetarian needs as well.

Can I use a different type of beans for Instant Pot Ham and Beans?

Yes! I also love the homey taste of Navy beans in this recipe. But mix up the beans and seasonings to fit your desires.

The cooking technique will be the same.

Can I add vegetables to the Instant Pot Ham and Beans?

Sure! If you prefer more of a Bean Soup, add carrots, onions, celery, tomatoes, etc. to make the recipe work for you.

Note, that acid such as in tomatoes, can keep your beans from getting tender. So add them after the beans have achieved the desired tenderness.

What can add to reduce the gas effect of eating beans on my digestion?

One of the reasons I prefer to soak my beans is to make them more digestible which helps with the gassiness some people experience when eating beans.

As another tip--my Grandma Gertie added a teaspoon of Baking Soda to her beans to help this as well. Give it a try!

Cooking Options: Stovetop Beans or Crockpot Beans

Stovetop Beans

This recipe can easily be modified to make on the stovetop. Soak and drain the beans as directed. Then proceed with the recipe.

Cooking on medium, the pinto beans can take 1.5 to 2 hours to cook.

Add water as needed and stir often.

Crockpot Beans

When I want to cook the beans hands-off I quick soak the beans first. Bring the beans and water to a boil and allow them to soak for an hour. Then I drain the water off, put the beans in the crockpot, and add water, salt, and garlic. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until tender.

University of Nebraska Extension has a great resource for cooking other types of beans as well.

What to do with Leftover Pinto Beans

I love a bowl of beans reheated in the microwave, but when I get tired of leftovers, I repurpose them into a good pot of chili.

More Favorite Leftover Ham Recipes

Cooking a big ol' ham with the 3-Ingredient Ham Glaze gives a great opportunity to reinvent the ham into so many great dishes. The leftovers may be the best part!

In addition to Instant Pot Ham and Beans, try Amish Breakfast Casserole with ham instead of bacon, Ham and Cheese Crescent Rolls for a snack or a fast lunch, or another great soup Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup.

STORAGE

Allow the beans to cool slightly, then put in a shallow lidded container to refrigerate for 3 to 5 days.

DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE?

Lastly, if you made Instant Pot Ham and Beans following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a rating!

I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.

And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag @laughingroostereats on Instagram and hashtag it #laughingroostereats! Seeing your photos is our favorite thing!

FOOD SAFETY

Wash hands before cooking
Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
Wash hands after touching raw meat
Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
Never leave cooking food unattended