Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Instant Pot Ham and Beans is a hearty and tender recipe, which is made with a meaty ham bone and great northern beans. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about an hour and a half.
Pioneer Woman Instant Pot Ham and Beans Ingredients
- 2 pounds dry great northern beans
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 meaty ham bone
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 8 cups water
- 1½ cups cooked ham, cubed
How To Make Pioneer Woman Instant Pot Ham and Beans
- Combine and Cook (First Round): Place the chopped onion, dry beans, ham bone, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf in the Instant Pot. Pour in the water and give it a quick stir.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid and make sure the valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Cook on high pressure for 1 hour.
- Release and Add Ham: Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the ham bone and the bay leaf.
- Final Cook: Stir in the cubed ham, secure the lid again, and pressure cook on high for another 5 minutes. Perform a quick release to vent the steam.
- Season and Serve: Taste the beans and their broth and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, preferably with a side of warm cornbread.
Recipe Tips
- Do I have to soak the beans first? No, and that’s the magic of this recipe! The Instant Pot cooks the dry beans to perfect tenderness without any overnight soaking required, making it a fantastic and easy weeknight option.
- How do you get extra creamy beans? The recipe suggests cooking for a full hour, which is longer than some recipes. This extra time is what helps the beans break down just enough to create a wonderfully creamy and delicious broth. Don’t shorten the time if you can help it!
- What if I don’t have a ham bone? The ham bone is the secret to a rich, smoky, and deeply flavorful broth. If you don’t have one from a previous meal, you can often buy smoked ham hocks from the meat department, which work as a perfect substitute.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely. Ham and beans are a perfect make-ahead meal. The flavors actually get even better the next day. It also freezes beautifully, making it great for meal prep.
What To Serve With Ham and Beans
This is a classic Southern comfort food that is traditionally served with a side of something to soak up all the delicious, savory broth. The perfect pairings are:
- Hot, buttery cornbread
- Fluffy beer bread
- A simple side of steamed collard greens
- Soft dinner rolls
How To Store Instant Pot Ham and Beans
- Refrigerate: Store leftover ham and beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freeze: Allow the soup to cool completely, then transfer it to freezer-safe containers or bags. It freezes very well and is perfect for easy lunches later on.
Instant Pot Ham and Beans Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/12th of recipe
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Why are my beans still hard after an hour?
This can occasionally happen if your beans are a bit old, as older beans can take longer to soften. If they’re not tender enough, simply put the lid back on and cook on high pressure for another 10-15 minutes.
My bean broth is too thin. How can I fix it?
o thicken the broth, you can remove about a cup of the beans, mash them with a fork into a paste, and then stir that paste back into the pot. Alternatively, you can turn on the u0022Sautéu0022 function after cooking and let the soup simmer for 10-15 minutes with the lid off to reduce the liquid.
Can I double this recipe in my Instant Pot?
Yes, you can easily double this recipe in a 6-quart or larger Instant Pot without changing the cooking time. Just be sure not to fill the pot more than the two-thirds u0022max fillu0022 line to ensure it can come to pressure safely.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Instant Pot Egg Bites Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Crock Pot Meatloaf Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Italian Pot Roast Recipe
Pioneer Woman Instant Pot Ham and Beans Recipe
Description
A classic, hearty comfort food dish featuring tender beans and smoky ham, made incredibly easy with no soaking required in the Instant Pot.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place the onion, dry beans, ham bone, and all seasonings into the Instant Pot. Cover with the water.
- Secure the lid, seal the valve, and cook on high pressure for 1 hour.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then quick release the rest.
- Remove the ham bone and bay leaf.
- Stir in the cubed ham, then secure the lid and cook on high pressure for another 5 minutes.
- Quick release the pressure, taste and adjust seasoning, and serve hot.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThe most important tip for this recipe is that no pre-soaking of the beans is required, making it incredibly easy!u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the richest, most flavorful broth, it is essential to use a meaty ham bone or a smoked ham hock.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe 15-minute natural pressure release step is important for achieving tender beans that hold their shape, so don’t skip it.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis soup is a perfect make-ahead meal, as the flavors will meld and become even richer overnight in the refrigerator.u003c/liu003e
