How to Cook Adzuki Beans (Instant Pot & Stovetop)

Close-up shot of cooked adzuki beans in a serving bowl

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How to Cook Adzuki Beans (Instant Pot & Stovetop)

Cooking adzuki beans at home is easy, budget-friendly, and tastier than canned versions. I will share how to cook adzuki beans on the stovetop and in an instant pot. They are great for soups, salads, stews, and sweet red bean paste.

Cook Time40

Total Time40

Course: Pantry Essentials

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how to cook adzuki beans, instant pot adzuki beans

Diet: Gluten-free, Vegan

Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker, Stovetop

Servings:

Author: Meeta Arora

Equipment

Ingredients

1 cup Adzuki beans dry
4 cups Water for stovetop, 3 cups for instant pot

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Rinse the adzuki beans in ample water using a fine mesh strainer.

Instant Pot Method

Add the adzuki beans along with 3 cups of water to the instant pot steel insert. Add salt (optional). Close the lid with the vent in the sealing position.
Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure, and adjust the timer to 8 minutes for al dente or firm beans. Or set to 10-12 minutes for soft beans.
When the cooking time is up, turn off the Instant Pot and do a 10-minute NPR, which means release the pressure manually 10 minutes after the beep.

Stovetop Method

For the stovetop method, I recommend soaking the beans for 4 hours or overnight. If you have less time, you can soak in hot water for 30 minutes to an hour.
Add the adzuki beans and 4 cups of water to a medium pot. Add salt (optional). Turn the heat on a medium-high flame and bring it to a boil. Now, reduce heat to low and let the beans simmer for about 30 minutes until they are tender. Unsoaked beans will take 40-45 minutes to cook.

Strain and Store

Strain the liquid and the adzuki beans are ready to use or store. You can refrigerate for up to 3-4 days or freeze the adzuki beans in small batches up to 3 months.

Video

Notes

Cooking Time: In my many tests, I found that the cooking time for beans can vary depending on the quality of the adzuki beans and how long they have been sitting on the store shelf or the pantry. This time has worked best for me in the many times I have cooked them. But add more time as needed for tender cooked beans. In general, cooking time does not change if you half or double this recipe.

Seasoning: Optionally, you can add a couple of cloves of garlic and bay leaves while cooking adzuki beans. You can also add 1/2 teaspoon salt to season the beans.

Extra Flavor: You can cook adzuki beans in vegetable broth instead of water.

Storing: Cooked adzuki beans can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days if kept in airtight containers. To store for a longer period, divide the beans into individual portions and freeze for up to three months.

Nutrition