8 Healthy Instant Pot Bean Recipes That Are So Good for You

Heading into the new year with lofty cooking goals is certainly one approach, but if I’m being completely honest, I’m generally someone that favors simple culinary tricks (and tools) that make meal prepping—not to mention life—easier. It already takes a heck of a lot of time figuring out what to make for dinner, and then there’s the doing-the-actual-work-to-get-it-on-the-table component.

If you are a proud Instant Pot owner, it’s likely we have a few things in common…and that you’ve also found a permanent home for the kitchen tool right on your counter so you can put it to use on a regular basis. I’m also willing to be that you’re in need of some new ideas for what to make in your Instant Pot.

If you’ve stocked up on beans, half the work is already done. Beans are brilliant pantry staple to keep on hand: They can hang out in your pantry for a much longer time than what’s stored a few steps away in the fridge. They’re also uber nutrient-rich, full of protein, vitamin B, and fiber. And if you’ve spent even five minutes looking into gut health, you know that fiber is key for maintaining good digestion and keeping your gut happy.

Watch the video below for a registered dietitian’s advice on what to eat for gut health:

Okay, so you have your Instant Pot and your beans. How do you combine them to create a quick meal? You’re going to want to bookmark this article, because the healthy Instant Pot bean recipes rounded up here will be the answer to your what’s-for-dinner question all winter long. Grab your beans and get ready to cook up some gut-healthy meals.

8 healthy Instant Pot bean recipes that are so easy to make

instant pot chili — Photo: Show Me The Yummy

1. Vegetarian chili

What would a beans recipe roundup be without a classic chili recipe? If you’re still hunting around for a good one to try, this is it. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and doesn’t take much time to make. The recipe calls for two types of beans (kidney and black), bell peppers, onions, and jalapenos, and of course a range of spices. It also includes quinoa, which ups the fiber content even more.

Get the recipe: Vegetarian chili

2. Black beans and rice

Rice and beans is another weeknight win in the game that is healthy Instant Pot beans recipes. It’s simple, quick, and nutrient-rich. This recipe has a deliciously vibrant flavor, thanks to salsa, frozen corn, onion, cumin, and chili powder all mixed in with the rice and beans.

Get the recipe: Black beans and rice

3. Taco soup

Give taco night a new twist with this recipe, which incorporates all the classic taco night essentials into a protein- and fiber-rich soup. Besides the beans, this recipe uses chickpea pasta as well as plenty of veggies, including tomatoes, corn, and green peppers. Top off your soup with more of your favorite taco ingredients, like salsa, cheese, sour cream, or avocados.

Get the recipe: Taco soup

black eyed peas curry — Photo: Profusion Curry

4. Black-eyed peas and coconut curry

Despite their name, black-eyed peas are actually beans and just like their cousins kidney, pinto, navy, and the others, they’re full of protein and fiber. Here, they’re used to make a vegan curry, paired with shredded coconut, onion, tomatoes, turmeric, garlic, ginger, and masala. The end result is the perfect mixture of spicy and sweet that’s downright delicious.

Get the recipe: Black-eyed peas and coconut curry

mexican quinoa recipe — Photo: Cooking With Manali

5. Avocado quinoa

If you really want to up your fiber intake, this dish will help you get there—quinoa is even higher in fiber than rice. The quinoa and beans cook at the same time in the Instant Pot, along with tomatoes and corn. After cooking, top everything off with sliced avocado to add a creamy layer of texture.

Get the recipe: Avocado quinoa

6. Butternut squash and beans

If you tend to do a lot of cooking with potatoes, switch mealtime up by using butternut squash, which has a different nutrient profile and adds a hint of sweetness to your meal. Here, the squash is paired with black beans to make a vegetarian chili. The prep time only takes five minutes and the whole meal comes together in 15.

Get the recipe: Butternut squash and beans

7. Minestrone soup

Minestrone soup is a winter-weather classic. Use whatever veggies are in your crisper or follow this recipe, which calls for zucchini, carrots, celery, spinach, tomatoes, and of course, beans. Thyme, bay leaf, garlic, and oregano make the soup taste like it’s been simmering all day even though it only takes 20 minutes.

Get the recipe: Minestrone soup

8. Burrito bowls

This recipe is so easy that it almost feels like cheating, but taste isn’t sacrificed in any way. Beans, rice, corn, salsa, onion, bell pepper, and taco mix are all cooked together in the Instant Pot for a quick 10 minutes and then dinner is served. Seriously, that’s it! Top it off with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, or avocado.

Get the recipe: Burrito bowls

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