Instant Pot Cooking Times (with Free Download & Recipes!)

Open Instant Pot with lid resting against the base

Once you have the basics of the Instant Pot figured out, it’s so quick and easy to start cooking! But since the Instant Pot manual didn’t produce the results we were hoping for, we decided to create our own “manual” (this free downloadable PDF) with Instant Pot cooking times and ratios.

Instant Pot vs. Stovetop

The beauty of the Instant Pot is that it makes perfectly cooked grains and beans in a fraction of the time that it would take on the stovetop, no soaking required (with the exception of a few beans).

But unlike the stovetop where you can easily modify the cooking time, it’s not as easy with the Instant Pot (once you open the lid, it de-pressurizes and you have to start over). So getting the times right is important!

Instant Pot Cooking Times Guide

Instant Pot cooking times for perfect grains, beans, and more

We’ve made a handy, printable guide (download here) so that you can make perfectly cooked beans, grains, and more every time!

For the beans and grains in this guide, we share how much liquid to add per 1 cup of grain/bean (and include metric measurements as well). For the liquid, you can use water or add more flavor by using vegetable broth in savory dishes (such as quinoa or pinto beans) or dairy-free milk in sweet dishes (such as steel cut oats).

Most beans can be cooked in the Instant Pot without soaking, but there were a couple that we found didn’t quite cook fully. So for those (garbanzo beans and lima beans), the cooking times are for after the beans have been soaked for at least 6-8 hours and then drained.

For more guidance, find the detailed recipes below.

Beans

Assortment of beans for cooking in the Instant Pot
Bowl of black eyed peas made in the Instant Pot
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Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas (Fast, Perfect, No Soaking!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT black eyed peas in the Instant Pot every time! Just 1 ingredient and an Instant Pot required!
Make The Recipe
Instant Pot of Homemade Black Beans with onion
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Instant Pot Black Beans (Perfect Beans Every Time!)
A quick and simple method for making PERFECT black beans in the Instant Pot every time! Just 3 ingredients and 1 pot required.
Make The Recipe
Bowl of brown lentils cooked in the Instant Pot
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Instant Pot Lentils (Perfect, Tender, No Soaking!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT green lentils in the Instant Pot every time! No soaking and just 1 ingredient and an Instant Pot required!
Make The Recipe
Pouring water into an Instant Pot of green split peas
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Instant Pot Green Split Peas (Fast, Tender, No Soaking!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT cooked green split peas! Plus, a versatile template for creating split pea soup or stew.
Make The Recipe
Bowl of green mung beans cooked in the Instant Pot
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Instant Pot Mung Beans (Tender, Fast, No Soaking!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT mung beans in the Instant Pot every time, no soaking required! Just 1 ingredient and less than 25 minutes required!
Make The Recipe
Stirring a pot of pinto beans made in the Instant Pot
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Instant Pot Pinto Beans (Fast, Perfect, No Soaking!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT pinto beans in the Instant Pot every time! Just 1 ingredient and 1 pot required!
Make The Recipe
Bowl of perfectly cooked kidney beans
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Instant Pot Kidney Beans (Fast, Tender, No Soaking!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT kidney beans in the Instant Pot every time! Just 1 ingredient and an Instant Pot required!
Make The Recipe
Pouring water over red lentils
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Instant Pot Red Lentils (Tender, Fast, No Soaking!)
A quick & simple method for making red lentils in the Instant Pot! Perfect for dal and adding to healthier desserts. Just 1 ingredient and less than 30 minutes required!
Make The Recipe
Bowl of Instant Pot red beans
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Instant Pot Red Beans (Fast, Tender, No Soaking!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT red beans in the Instant Pot every time! Just 1 ingredient and 1 pot required!
Make The Recipe
Bowl of Instant Pot White Beans
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Instant Pot White Beans (Great Northern, Fast, No Soaking!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT white beans in the Instant Pot every time! Just 1 ingredient and 1 pot required!
Make The Recipe
Pouring water into an Instant Pot of yellow split peas
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Instant Pot Yellow Split Peas (Fast, Tender, No Soaking!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT cooked yellow split peas! Plus, a versatile template for creating split pea soup or stew.
Make The Recipe
Instant Pot Chickpeas with a wooden spoon
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Instant Pot Chickpeas
How to cook chickpeas in the Instant Pot! Our easy technique yields perfectly tender chickpeas perfect for salads, sandwiches, dips, and more!
Make The Recipe
Bowl of cooked baby lima beans
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Instant Pot Lima Beans (Fast, Tender, Perfect!)
How to cook lima beans in the Instant Pot! Our easy technique yields perfectly tender lima beans perfect for salads, soups, and more!
Make The Recipe

Grains

Assortment of grains for cooking in the Instant Pot
Spoon resting in a bowl of amaranth made in the Instant Pot
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Instant Pot Amaranth (Fast, Creamy, No Soaking!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECTLY cooked amaranth in the Instant Pot. Just 1 ingredient, no soaking, and less than 25 minutes required!
Make The Recipe
Instant pot filled with brown rice and water
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Instant Pot Brown Rice (Perfect Every Time!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT brown rice in the Instant Pot every time! Just 1 ingredient and less than 30 minutes required!
Make The Recipe
Bowl of Instant Pot millet
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Instant Pot Millet (Fast, Fluffy, Perfect!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT millet in the Instant Pot every time! Just 1 ingredient and less than 30 minutes required!
Make The Recipe
Bowl of Instant Pot Quinoa
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Instant Pot Quinoa (Fluffy, Perfect, No Soaking!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT quinoa in the Instant Pot every time! Just 1 ingredient and about 20 minutes required!
Make The Recipe
Bowl of Instant Pot oats topped with sliced banana, brown sugar, and pecans
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Instant Pot Oats (Fast, Creamy Oatmeal!)
A quick and simple method for making PERFECT, creamy oats in the Instant Pot. Just 1 ingredient and 20 minutes required!
Make The Recipe
Bowl of Instant Pot steel cut oats
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Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats (Fast, Creamy, Perfect!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT, creamy steel cut oats in the Instant Pot. Just 1 ingredient and an Instant Pot required!
Make The Recipe
Bowl of Instant Pot white rice
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Instant Pot White Rice (Fast, Tender, Fluffy!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT, fluffy white rice in the Instant Pot every time! Just 1 ingredient and about 20 minutes required!
Make The Recipe
Bowl of Instant Pot wild rice
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Instant Pot Wild Rice (Fast, Tender, No Soaking!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT wild rice in the Instant Pot every time! Just 1 ingredient and 1 pot required!
Make The Recipe

& More!

Eggs, sweet potatoes, and squash for cooking in the Instant Pot
Small plate of perfectly cooked hard boiled eggs
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Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs Every Time (3 Ways!)
The definitive guide to perfect hard boiled eggs every time! With tips on boiling, steaming, and using an Instant Pot!
Make The Recipe
Bowl of Instant Pot sweet potatoes with vegan butter
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Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes (Fast, Tender, Perfect!)
A quick & easy way to cook sweet potatoes in the Instant Pot! Tender potatoes in less than 45 minutes start to finish. Just 1 ingredient and 1 pot required!
Make The Recipe
Yukon gold potatoes on a trivet in an Instant Pot
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Instant Pot Potatoes (Fast, Tender, Buttery!)
A quick & easy way to cook potatoes in the Instant Pot! Tender, buttery potatoes in about 30 minutes. Just 1 ingredient and 1 pot required!
Make The Recipe

We hope you found this resource helpful! If you try any of these recipes, let us know! Leave a comment, or take a picture and tag it #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!

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  1. Jill Robertson says

    As always you provide me with information I need. As always I get lost in your wonderful site. As always have trouble with not eating all of your peanut sauce before I use it on anything and everything.Thank you for the generosity of your site.

  2. Helena says

    Thanks for sharing this! I have just one recommendation for everyone. For your health, I highly recommend soaking your beans before you cook them. They’ll be ready in a fraction of the time, they’ll be much easier to digest, and the soaking will break down all the phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors that can **wreak havoc on your gut, locking away the nutrients.**

  3. Katherine Villegas says

    What would be the cooking time for Navy Beans? Bith soaked and uncooked? Thank you in advance and thank you for the guide!
    Katherine

  4. Hilary Zeller says

    Hi MB,
    Do you have a similar guide for proteins – chicken, fish, lean game meats in particular? I find the poultry setting is too broad.
    If you can soft boil eggs, I’m thinking something delicate like fish might work?
    I can eat canned fish but get an upset gut when I eat fresh fish, so would like to try pressure cooking to see if this has the same effect as canning, making it OK for my gut.
    Thanks, Hil.

  5. Jm says

    My oatmeal always burns on the bottom I have enough liquid I don’t have a long cooking time and I used the oatmeal setting I did it once on high pressure and the oatmeal did on low
    What am I doing wrong

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      Hi, is it possible you’re using a thick milk? We’ve found using at least half water is helpful.

  6. JJ Ohio says

    I really appreciate this chart! I always soak my beans so would you recommend just starting by cutting the time in half of what you list for unsoaked? Or where would you start?

  7. Claire says

    This is great, thank you Dana, just what I need.
    Will you be doing any combined meals times, e.g. beans and grains, for a one-pot meal, at all, (pretty) please?
    Claire, Surrey, England.

  8. Alexandra says

    This is so, so helpful! After considering for quite some time whether to purchase a 6 quart or 8, I ended up buying an 8 quart (because it was cheaper!) Do these times/water quantities also apply for 8 quart models or should they be altered slightly? Thank you so much for providing such a helpful resource and INSPIRATION to get an Instant Pot!

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      Aw, we’re so glad to hear it’s helpful, Alexandra! You don’t need to adjust the times or the amount of water.

  9. Michael says

    Can you cook buckwheat groats and adzuki beans in the instant pot?
    If yes, what are the recipes?

    Thank you so much for all your wonderful recipes.

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      Hi Michael! We don’t have a recipe for buckwheat in the instant pot, but a quick google should tell you the correct timing to use. We don’t have an adzuki beans recipe either, but you could use our Instant Pot Red Beans as a reference. Hope this helps!

  10. Ann K says

    Thank you. I just received a 6 qt and 3 qt from my family for my 80th birthday and I love all of your information. Still learning. Aunt Parsnips

  11. Annelies says

    Hi Dana,
    I never really leave comments on recipe blogs (though enjoy reading them :) ), but this time I do feel compelled to let you know how incredibly grateful I am for your Instant Pot guide! I bought one a couple of years ago here in the UK (similar to Instant Pot, but different make), and I totally dispaired over the useless manual that came with it. The various function buttons looks great, but when I contacted the manufacturers, they couldn’t help either. Whoever put this appliance together??
    Your guide is just great, especially as it covers all the beans and grains we eat all the time. No more wondering about those gimicky function buttons, hooray!
    Thank you for delving into the beans- and grains pressure cooker world for us, I have no doubt you have helped many many readers!

  12. Martha says

    Thank you so much for ALL this information on using the Instant Pot for healthy cooking! I am very impressed! You must have spent months on this project. I appreciate all your hard work.

  13. Jane says

    Wow, thank you! I love my Instant Pot, but the cooking tips they enclosed with the pot didn’t include some of the foods that I most often eat (various beans and grains, especially).
    This is so helpful! :)

  14. Chinmoy Sarkar says

    Thanks a million for the “Instant Pot 101…Guide/Minimalist Baker Recipe”.
    Can you please send a Hard Copy of the Guide and the Recipes as an attachment to an e-mail?.
    Thanks for having me on your mailing list.

  15. Renni Anderson says

    Thank you so much for doing this! I, too, was not satisfied with the results of the Instant Pot manual and have been experimenting with team for each kind of bean. Only things I don’t like is releasing any steam after the “natural release” time as a lot of bean residue comes through. I have been turning off the power once the cooking time is completed and waiting for it to release naturally. Keeps the lid cleaner. However, I am open to your suggestions!!

    Renni Anderson (Ashley Yoder’s aunt – who introduced me to your website and great recipes & gifted me with one of your cookbooks!)

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      Hi Renni! So nice to hear from you! I think your method sounds good. We haven’t had any issues with bean residue or dirty lids if allowing the natural release while the machine is on!

  16. Cindi says

    thank you sooo much… i had some charts but have no clue where they are and i luv all that u do and how caring and helpful u are to all of us…. this will be such a big help for me… thank you and do have a blessed holiday…..