My favorite no-fail Instant Pot Cannellini Bean recipe that can be used for meal prep and quick dinners. This recipe works with any dried white beans, including Navy beans, Cannellini beans, and Great Northern beans.

cannelloni beans in a bowl in front of the instant pot
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

One of the best things you can do for meal prep is cooking dry beans and having them ready in your refrigerator or freezer.

I love the instant pot to cook any types of beans and chickpeas. It is so much quicker than cooking on the stovetop, and so much cheaper than buying canned. Here are my Mexican black beans and instant pot chickpeas recipes.

And here you will find all the details to cook any type of white beans in your instant pot.

What are White Beans?

Any bean that is white or off-white in hue is accurately referred to as a “white bean.” White beans that are sold commercially, are usually referred to by more specific names, such as Navy beans, Great Northerns, or Cannellini.

Though different white bean varieties have slightly varying flavors and sizes, their nutritional contents are relatively similar, and they can easily be substituted in recipes.

Dry Cannellini beans in a bowl

What Are The Benefits Of White Beans?

White Beans are very nutritious. Some of the benefits of white beans are:

Loaded with protein: White beans can be used as one of the key protein sources for vegetarians and vegans.

Provide ample fiber: White beans promote improved digestive health and can help with bowel regularity. 

Promote healthy body weight: White beans have a high nutrient density while being relatively low in calories. These characteristics, when combined with their high fiber and protein content, may promote a healthy body weight.

Why use the Instant Pot to Cook Cannellini White Beans?

The Instant Pot is our go-to method for cooking any types of white beans – Navy beans, Great Northern and Cannellini beans. It is quick and easy, whether you soak the beans or not, and produces perfectly tender beans every single time!

Healthy substitute for canned beans

Canned beans can be easily substituted with dried beans that have been cooked in the instant pot. Making your own beans has many advantages:

  • They taste better as they are freshly made
  • Dried beans have more protein, fiber, iron, potassium, and magnesium as compared to canned beans. Most importantly, they contain less sodium.
  • Dried beans are friendly on the pocket as they are much cheaper.
  • Cans also have potentially harmful chemicals.
  • Reduces the amount of waste generated.

What You’ll Need?

To make a batch of beans, you’ll need a 6 to 8 quart Instant pot. I use a 6-quart Instant Pot, but this basic method can be applied to other electric pressure cookers and stovetop pressure cookers as well.

Besides that, you will need the following ingredients:

  • Dried White beans: 1 cup of dried beans will give you 3 cups cooked beans. I used cannellini beans.
  • Water or stock: Either one works. Use stock if you want extra flavor in the cooked beans.
  • Flavoring Ingredients: Add a bay leaf for some extra flavor. You can also add garlic if you like.
  • Salt

To soak or not to soak?

This is one question I always get asked when cooking beans.

White beans do not need to be soaked before being cooked in the Instant Pot. While soaking beans overnight may help soften them and speed up the cooking process, a pressure cooker’s high heat does all of that for you.

Soaking the beans decreases the phytic acid content and enhances the nutrient absorption. Also, soaking beans can help reduce gas-causing compounds in the beans, which is beneficial if someone has bloating from beans. Also, soaked beans cooked faster.

How to make?

  • Soaking the beans: This is optional but helps reduce cooking time. You can soak 1 cup of beans in 3 cups of water overnight or for 8 hours. Then, drain the liquid once the soaking time is done.
soaking white beans in water
  • Fill the inner pot of a standard instant pot with liquid, beans, salt, and spices. Give it a good stir to ensure that everything is evenly distributed.
Cannellini Beans to be cooked in the instant pot
  • Set the vent to sealing and close the lid of the instant pot.
  • Then pressure cook. See the recipe card for exact cooking times.
  • Let the pressure release naturally.
  • The beans are perfectly cooked in the instant pot.
Cooked white beans in the instant pot

How To Store Cooked Beans?

Cannellini beans should be stored in shallow, airtight containers or resealable zip-lock bags in the refrigerator.

They will keep well in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days if properly stored.

Bacteria grow quickly at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, so cooked cannellini beans left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours should be discarded.

white beans in a bowl in front of the instant pot

Recipe Tips

  • Always wash your beans before using them. If you’re using dried beans, make sure they’re clean before soaking to get rid of any dirt or discolored beans. If you’re using canned beans, strain and rinse them to remove any excess sodium from the preserving liquid.
  • Before cooking, soak dry beans. If you’re using dried beans, soak them for six to eight hours (or overnight) before cooking.
  • Avoid overcooking your beans unless you’re making a dip or spread. If you boil them for too long, the skins will crack, and the beans will lose their shape.

How to Serve

White beans can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, dips, salads, thickening sauces, and more.

Recipes Using White Beans

White beans are versatile and can be incorporated to any recipe of your choice.

  • Bean Salad: For a quick, refreshing, and protein-packed snack on a hot day, try bean salad.
  • White Bean Soup: A hearty, warm soup can be made with any type of white bean.
  • Minestrone Soup: This favorite Italian soup with beans, veggies, and pasta is a great one to use up all the wonderful beans.
  • Chilli: You can use any white beans in a white-bean chili.
  • Beans with rice: Beans and rice are a great option to enjoy for any meal.
  • Bean Burger Patties: Plant-based burgers with white beans taste delicious.
  • Grain Bowls: Add these beans to a grain bowl for the extra protein. eg. Sorghum grain bowl.
Instant pot cannellini beans in a bowl on a kitchen cloth

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need broth to cook beans?

No, it’s not essential. I don’t think broth is needed because the salt, garlic, bay leaf etc. gives the beans a lot of flavor. In addition, when the beans simmer, the water transforms into a delicious broth.

Can I freeze cooked beans?

Yes. The cooked beans can be frozen with or without the liquid in which they were cooked. Store cooled leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Why are the cooked beans still hard?

There are a few reasons why your beans can be hard:
1) Stale/Old: Even dried beans require “freshness” to be tender and flavorful. Dried beans that have been stored for more than a year can remain hard and chewy no matter how long they are cooked.
2) Liquid Quantity: While cooking, beans should always be immersed in liquid. They will not cook evenly if there is insufficient liquid.
3) Acidic Ingredients: Cooking dried beans with acidic ingredients such as tomatoes, lemon, vinegar or wine can prevent them from becoming tender.
4) Hard Water: If your tap water is extremely hard, the minerals in the water can prevent the beans from softening. Cook them in filtered or bottle water if possible.

More Instant Pot Recipes

Try a few more of the easy Instant pot recipes from our collection-

4.89 from 18 votes

Instant Pot Cannellini Beans

My favorite no-fail Instant pot white bean recipe that can be used for meal prep and quick dinners. This recipe works with any dried white beans, including Navy beans, Cannellini beans, and Great Northern beans.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup Cannellini beans, or other white beans, rinsed
  • 3 cups Water , or vegetable broth
  • 1 Bay Leaf, optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt

Instructions 

  • This step is optional, but helps for easier digestion and reduces cooking time. Soak beans in 3 cups of water overnight. Then drain any remaining liquid.
  • Add the beans, bay leaf, salt and water to the Instant Pot. Use 3 cups water for soaked beans (or 2 cup for overnight soaked beans).
  • Close lid with vent in sealing position. Set to pressure cook on high pressure.
    Cannellini Beans: 35 minutes (or 12 minutes for overnight soaked beans)
    Great Northern Beans: 30 (10 minutes for overnight soaked beans)
    Navy Beans: 25 minutes (8 minutes for overnight soaked beans)
  • Once the instant pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally. Carefully remove lid once steam has fully escaped and strain off any excess cooking liquid.
  • Enjoy immediately in stews, soups, white chili, or salads. You can store cooled leftovers for up to 5 days in the refrigerator upor in the freezer up to 1 month.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 168kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 12gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.04gSodium: 308mgPotassium: 907mgFiber: 8gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 127mgIron: 5mg

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten-free, Vegan
Tried this recipe?Mention @pipingpotcurry or tag #pipingpotcurry!

About Meeta

I strongly believe that each one of us has a chef inside us, we just need to explore the ingredients and create great food. My passion is to share easy, healthy, and wholesome recipes made using Instant Pot & Air Fryer, that are well tested, so you can cook with confidence.

You May Also Like

Get new recipes sent to your inbox!
Don't miss out! Subscribe and get all the new recipes first.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  1. Worked perfectly. First thing we try making in our Instant Pot that we really only got for making yoghurt. But this will save us tonnes of money in kidney beans that we use in all kinds of recipes. Question: when storing in a jar in the fridge, can you use the liquid to fill in the jar with the beans or will that just continue to soften them too much?

    1. Hi Phil – You can store the beans with the liquid. I don’t think keeping the water will affect them once they are cooled. Glad you will be saving some $ with cooking beans at home.

  2. Instructions and water/bean ratio worked great. Mine needed an extra 5 minutes, but they’re *old*. It’s definitely going to be my go-to recipe for making beans in my new Instant Pot.

    I decided to try it with red kidney beans after a different recipe for those failed miserably. Worked great for them, too!

  3. When you freeze these beans in a plastic bag, you do not have to add liquid, right?
    I have not made this yet, but probably will tomorrow and I will report back.
    Thank you so much. Take care…