How to cook butter beans in instant pot

With an Instant Pot and 30 minutes (after soaking), you can make perfectly cooked baby lima beans every time! Let us show you how.

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Reader Interactions
How long does it take to cook beans in Instant Pot?
How long does it take to cook butter beans from dry?
What is the ratio of beans to water in Instant Pot?
How long does it take to pressure cook beans in a pressure cooker?

The Instant Pot is our preferred method for cooking lima beans because it’s quick, easy, and yields perfectly tender beans!

While most beans don’t need to be soaked before cooking in the Instant Pot, we highly recommend soaking lima beans. We tested not soaking them, but the center of the beans wouldn’t fully cook.

Here’s what you need to know:

Soak the beans for at least 6-8 hours, then drain
Ratio = 1 part baby lima beans : 3 parts water
Cook Time = 5-7 minutes
Release = 15 minute natural release, then release any remaining pressure

Baby lima beans have a mild, creamy, buttery flavor and texture, making them incredibly versatile and delicious. They can be enjoyed in stews, soups, salads, and more. And they’re even delicious by the spoonful!

Did you find this helpful? If so, be sure to check out our Instant Pot Cooking Times Guide for perfectly cooked grains and beans every time!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!

*Note: recipe updated 12/10/21 to address reader issues with texture.

Prep Time 6 hours 23 minutes

Cook Time 7 minutes

Total Time 6 hours 30 minutes

Servings 4 (3/4-cup servings)

Course Helpful How-to, Side Dish

Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan

Freezer Friendly 1 month

Does it keep? 5 Days

1 cup baby lima beans (white, not green)
3 cups water (or vegetable broth for more flavor)

Add lima beans to a bowl and cover with cool water by about 3 inches (ensuring they’re well submerged). Soak overnight, or for at least 6-8 hours at room temperature.
Drain lima beans, then add to the Instant Pot. Add water and stir to prevent sticking. Pressure cook on high for 5-7 minutes (it will take about 8 minutes for the Instant Pot to pressurize before cooking begins).
Once the timer goes off, allow to naturally release for 15 minutes, then release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove lid once steam has fully escaped and strain off any excess cooking liquid.
Enjoy immediately in stews, soups, salads, and more. Store cooled leftovers in the refrigerator up to 5 days or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat in a saucepan on the stovetop, adding a little water, as needed, to prevent sticking.

*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
*Total time includes active cook time, release time, and the time it takes for the Instant Pot to heat up (~8 minutes).
*Prep time does not include soaking beans.

Serving: 1 three-quarter-cup servingCalories: 169 Carbohydrates: 31.7 gProtein: 10.4 gFat: 0.5 gSaturated Fat: 0.1 gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.21 g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04 gTrans Fat: 0 gCholesterol: 0 mgSodium: 7 mgPotassium: 709 mgFiber: 10.4 g Sugar: 4.2 gVitamin A: 0 IUVitamin C: 0 mgCalcium: 40.91 mgIron: 3.13 mg

Reader Interactions

How long does it take to cook beans in Instant Pot?

Pressure cook on high pressure: 30 minutes for unsoaked beans or 15 minutes for soaked beans. Let the Instant Pot natural release for 15 minutes. Quick release any remaining pressure.

How long does it take to cook butter beans from dry?

To prepare your batch of butter beans I find that cooking them from dry (ie without pre-soaking) helps prevent them from going soggy, so just tip them into the pot, add plenty of water to cover, a teaspoon of salt and cook until tender. This should take between six and eight hours.

What is the ratio of beans to water in Instant Pot?

All you need to do to cook beans in the instant pot is add them into your pot, followed by 2 – 3x that amount of water. So if you're using 1 cup of dried beans (unsoaked), you'd follow that with about 2 – 3 cups of water. Basically, you want the beans to be fully submerged or else they won't cook evenly.

How long does it take to pressure cook beans in a pressure cooker?

Place seasoning and beans in pressure cooker. Cover with about 1 1/2 inches of hot water over the level of the beans. Be sure to not fill the cooker over half way. Cook for 22 to 30 minutes, depending on the variety.