Black Beans in the Instant Pot - Cuban Flavored, No Oil

Cuban black beans over rice with limes on the side and cilantro on top

Black Beans in the Instant Pot - Cuban Flavored, No Oil

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Fusion

Keyword: instant pot black beans, oil-free cooking

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 40

natural release: 30

Total Time: 1 30

Servings:

Calories: 229kcal

Author: Cindy Rainey

This recipe for Instant Pot black beans is delicious and borrows its flavor profile Cuban seasonings. They are oil-free, quick and easy to make, and require no soaking.

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Equipment

Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

16 ounces dried black beans about 2 cups
1½ cup onion yellow or white, diced
1½ cup bell pepper any color, diced - see notes
5 cloves garlic chopped
4 cups vegetable broth
¼ cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1 ½ teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt see notes
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
2 bay leaves
cilantro and lime to top

Instructions

Rinse the black beans and pick through, checking for any little bits of debris - especially small stones. Set aside.
Chop the onion, peppers, and garlic. Set aside.
Chop the cilantro and set it aside separately. You can also do this while the black beans are cooking.
Add all ingredients except for the cilantro to the Instant Pot inner pot.
Add the black beans, chopped onion, chopped bell pepper, chopped garlic, vegetable broth, red wine vinegar, maple syrup, oregano, cumin, salt, and smoked paprika. Give it a stir.
Following the manufacturer's directions, set the pressure cooker on high for 40 minutes. It will take up to 10 minutes to come to pressure. After it has come to pressure and counted down 35 minutes, allow for a 20-30 minute natural release.
Make sure to pick out the 2 bay leaves before serving or someone will have an unpleasant surprise!
Top with the chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime. My Jalapeno Ranch Dressing would also be fabulous to squeeze on top (recipe linked in the notes.)

Notes

Comming to pressure time is included in the prep time.
You can use any color of bell pepper. I like to use multiple colors for a beautiful presentation and always include green peppers for flavor.
Other topping options include a squeeze of lime, pickled jalapenos, avocado, red pepper flakes. ALSO, my Jalapeno Ranch Dressing would be excellent to drizzle on top!
Cooking at high pressure for 35 minutes gives me the perfect texture - tender enough without being mushy. If you find that you might have liked your beans to be softer, you can always cook them at pressure a little longer. Just close the lid and ven and set your timer for 15 minutes. Let release naturally again and check it out.

Nutrition