American,  Gluten-Free,  Main Course,  Side Dishes,  Spanish

Instant Pot Black Beans

Simple, healthy, and kid friendly meals are a must when you are a busy family. My children absolutely devour a bowl of this instant pot black beans and rice. We have truly made this a weekly staple. My son loves to squeeze his own limes on top and sprinkle on a little salt. I believe that you can teach your kids what food is normal in your family.

Children can be extremely picky when it comes to dinner time. I find it’s just about offering them what is cooked and making no other options available. We have a rule that you must try everything; We call it our “two-bite rule”. Because black beans and rice are something we have made since the kids were babies, it has not been an issue. Of course, they love their nuggets and fries now and then, but we really try to give their bodies and taste buds a variety of foods that are good for them. As we know black beans are loaded with iron, antioxidants, fiber, protein, and good carbohydrates.

Easy Household Recipes

I have a few recipes that are loaded with nutrients, super easy, and on repeat at my house. One being quinoa cooked in chicken stock with a delicious tomato sauce and served with meatballs. Another recipe that I truly love, which takes a little bit more effort but is a very rich dinnertime experience, is a roasted sheet pan dinner. 

For this one, I preheat the oven to 400℉ and take 3-4 large chicken breasts (bone in, with skin) and place them on a large sheet pan. I then surround the chicken with cubed white or sweet potatoes, Brussel sprouts, and large chunks of onion. To season, I drizzle the ingredients with olive oil and sprinkle them with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. I then place the pan in the preheated oven and roast the meal for about 40-45 minutes, depending on the level of crispiness I want. Another great meal is our Shepherd’s Pieβ€”you have to try it! And this next meal is an absolute favorite in my familyβ€”black beans and rice!  

Black beans and rice are a menu item that many people are familiar with. It crosses many cultural boundaries and can be as flavorful as the cook desires. It has a reputation for being a simple meal that is very cost efficient and packs a lot of nutrition.  

Recipe

I have come up with the most β€œset it and forget it” black bean meal I have ever made. It only requires three ingredients and my Instant Pot. I put a large 32 oz bag of dried black beans, a 24 oz jar of my favorite salsa, and 72 oz of water (just fill the jar of salsa with water 3 times) in the Instant Pot, and then set it to pressure cook on high for 45 minutes. That’s it! I do make white rice with toppings to go along with the black beans, but it is still so simple. For vegetarian and vegan diets, this is a great protein rich meal. We sometimes top the beans with squeezed lime juice, a little salt, sour cream, or some shredded cheddar cheese. Alternatively, you can add the lime juice, salt, and a little vegan mozzarella cheese.

This recipe is versatile and can be adapted to your preference. If you want the black beans a little runnier you can add more water or chicken stock to your desired liking. Personally, I don’t even add salt to this; the salsa does all the work. I tend to lean towards a mild salsa because of the kids but the spicier the better in my book. If you want to add a little more heat you can even cut up some pepperoncini peppers and add them to the Instant Pot (they are a great addition).

Here is a great tip for added spice and flavor: splash some vinegar in the Instant Pot as some of the liquid. The vinegar will surprise your taste buds. I also have a friend that uses whiskey in her black beans. What can I say, be creative!

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Instant Pot Black Beans

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Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups of dried black beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 3 cups of jarred salsa
  • 9 cups of water

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients into your Instant Pot.
  2. Set you Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 45 minutes and cover with the lid.
  3. Let pressure naturally release or fully vent the steam.
  4. Add your favorite toppings, or use the beans as a side dish. Serve and enjoy!

Tip: The black beans goΒ great with sour cream, cilantro, tomatoes, and over white rice. Yum!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 156 calories
  • Sugar: 4 grams
  • Sodium: 490 miligrams
  • Fat: 1.3 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 0.3 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 29 grams
  • Fiber: 9.4 grams
  • Protein: 8.4 grams
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