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Easy Instant Pot Loaded Baked Beans with Bacon

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A quick and easy Instant Pot recipe for loaded baked beans with smoky bacon, perfect as a hearty BBQ side dish that balances sweetness, tang, and rich flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup dried navy beans (or 2 cups canned, drained and rinsed)
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped (preferably thick-cut)
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 2 cups chicken broth or water (low-sodium preferred)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. If using dried navy beans, rinse thoroughly and soak overnight or for at least 6 hours. Drain before cooking. If using canned beans, drain and rinse; no soaking needed.
  2. Set the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ function. Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving rendered fat in the pot.
  3. Add diced onion to the bacon fat and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well and let tomato paste caramelize slightly for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Add soaked and drained beans (or canned beans) to the pot, then pour in 2 cups of chicken broth or water. Stir gently to combine.
  6. Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to ‘Pressure Cook’ or ‘Manual’ on high pressure for 25 minutes if using soaked beans, or 10 minutes for canned beans. Ensure the valve is set to sealing.
  7. Allow pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes after cooking, then carefully turn the valve to venting to release remaining pressure.
  8. Open the lid and stir in the crispy bacon pieces. If beans are too liquidy, switch Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ and simmer uncovered for a few minutes until sauce thickens.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, sweetness, or vinegar as needed.

Notes

Do not rush the natural pressure release to keep beans tender and intact. Sautéing bacon first adds rich flavor and rendered fat for cooking aromatics. Adjust seasoning at the end to balance sweetness and tang. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and add smoked paprika plus liquid smoke.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot baked beans, loaded baked beans, bacon baked beans, BBQ side dish, easy baked beans, pressure cooker beans

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/easy-instant-pot-loaded-baked-beans-with-bacon-recipe-for-perfect-bbq-side/