Instant Pot Baked Beans

1. Stage

Par-cook the beans: Combine the dried beans and 8 cups of the water in an electric pressure cooker. Secure the lid on the pressure cooker. Make sure that the pressure regulator is set to the “Sealing” position. If you are using an Instant Pot, select the “Bean/Chili” program, then adjust the time to 15 minutes. If your pressure does not have a “Bean/Chili” program, set it manually to “High Pressure” for 15 minutes. It will take about 20 minutes for your pressure cooker to come up to pressure, and then the 15 minutes of actual cooking will begin.

2. Stage

Naturally release the pressure and drain the beans: When the timer goes off, wait for the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes, then release the rest of the pressure by moving the pressure release knob from “Sealing” to “Venting.” It will take a minute or two for the pressure to release completely. At this point, the beans should be mostly cooked through, but still firm. It's fine if there's still a little bit of white at the center. If you'd like to use some of the bean cooking liquid to make your baked beans, scoop out 1 1/2 cups of liquid and set it aside. Wearing a pair of heat-proof mitts, lift the inner pot out of the pressure cooker and drain the beans into a colander in the sink. Wash out the pot and return it to the pressure cooker.

3. Stage

Prepare the cooking liquid: In a small bowl, whisk together the molasses, sugar, mustard, ground cloves, and 1 1/2 cups water or reserved bean cooking liquid. Set aside.

4. Stage

Sauté the bacon and onions: Reset the electric pressure cooker, then select its “Sauté” program and set the heat to medium. Add the bacon to the pot and sauté it until it begins to render some fat, about 2-5 minutes. Add the onions and sauté until they are translucent, about 5 more minutes. If the bacon starts to brown too much, reduce the heat to low. When done, hit "Cancel" to stop sautéing.

5. Stage

Finish cooking the beans: Gently stir the beans and the cooking liquid into the pot with the bacon and onions. Secure the lid on the pressure cooker, again making sure that the pressure regulator is set to the “Sealing” position. If you are using an Instant Pot, select the “Bean/Chili” program, then adjust the time to 15 minutes. If your pressure does not have a “Bean/Chili” program, set it manually to “High Pressure” for 15 minutes. It will take about 15 minutes for your pressure cooker to come up to pressure, and then the 15 minutes of actual cooking will begin.

6. Stage

Let the pressure release naturally: When the cooking program finishes, let the pressure cooker completely release its pressure naturally. This will take about 30 minutes. Don’t perform a quick release, as the thick cooking liquid will sputter out of the pressure release valve.

7. Stage

Serve the beans warm: They are very good straight out of the pot, and taste even better the next day. Reheat beans over low temperature on the stovetop, in a low oven, or in the microwave.