Easy Instant Pot Baked Beans

A white bowl filled with baked beans in a thick sauce, garnished with fresh parsley. A spoon rests in the bowl. On the side, a striped cloth and a small plate with parsley are visible.

A warm and comforting dish, Instant Pot baked beans are easy to make and packed with flavor. This recipe combines the sweetness of molasses with the smokiness of liquid smoke, creating a dish that’s perfect for gatherings or weeknight dinners. Great for sharing and sure to please any crowd.

Course Appetizer, Dinner

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Keyword comfort food, easy, party food

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 6

Total Time 21

Servings servings

Calories 77

Author Gina Dickson

Ingredients

2 tablespoons oil vegetable or olive oil
1 cup onion diced
2 cans northern beans drained and rinsed
1 can pinto beans drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon liquid smoke
½ cup ketchup
1 cup water
2 tablespoons molasses
1 tablespoon mustard yellow or Dijon
¼ cup brown sugar

Instructions

Sauté the Onions

Set your Instant Pot to "Sauté" mode.
Add the oil and diced onions. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent.
2 tablespoons oil, 1 cup onion

Add the Remaining Ingredients

Turn off "Sauté" mode.
Add the northern beans, pinto beans, liquid smoke, ketchup, water, molasses, mustard, and brown sugar. Stir well to combine.
2 cans northern beans, 1 can pinto beans, 1 tablespoon liquid smoke, ½ cup ketchup, 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons molasses, 1 tablespoon mustard, ¼ cup brown sugar

Cook the Beans

Secure the lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
Use the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" function. Set to HIGH pressure for 6 minutes.

Release Pressure

Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a quick release by turning the valve to the venting position.

Serve

Stir the beans and taste. Adjust seasonings if needed (e.g., more brown sugar for sweetness or mustard for tang). Serve warm.

Notes

Here are some quick and easy tips to ensure your dish turns out perfectly every time.

Drain and rinse the beans straight from the can to remove any sodium residue. I find that rinsing makes the beans taste fresher and helps them better absorb the flavors.
Brown the onions before adding the beans to give the dish an extra layer of rich flavor—trust me, it’s worth the extra few minutes.
Let the beans rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help everything to come together and intensify the flavor.

Nutrition