Instant Pot adzuki beans are ready in a fraction of the time it takes on the stovetop. With a naturally sweet, nutty flavor, adzuki beans are versatile — make a batch to use in savory dishes, salads, grain bowls, soups, or even sweet recipes like red bean paste.
We use the Instant Pot for beans often — it saves time, frees up stovetop space, and is low-maintenance. Set it, forget it, and finish prepping the rest of your meal while the beans cook.
What are Adzuki Beans?
Adzuki beans have a pleasant nutty taste with a hint of sweetness, which makes them popular in both savory and sweet preparations. Because their flavor is mild and appealing on its own, this Instant Pot recipe uses just four simple ingredients to highlight the beans.
Why you’ll love this Instant Pot adzuki beans recipe:
- Quick and easy to prepare
- Great addition to salads, grain bowls, soups, and more
- Instant Pot saves time and frees the stovetop
The Ingredients:
This recipe uses four main ingredients:
- Water or chicken broth
- Dry adzuki beans
- Whole dried bay leaves
- Salt
The Process:
Cooking adzuki beans in the Instant Pot is straightforward and fast. If you’ve asked yourself how to cook adzuki beans, this method is reliable and simple.
Basic steps (see recipe card below for exact amounts):
- Rinse and sort. Rinse the dried beans and remove any debris or small stones. This improves texture and flavor.
- Combine and cook. Add broth or water to the Instant Pot, then add the beans, bay leaves, and salt. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for the time listed in the recipe card.
- Release and finish. Allow a natural pressure release for about 15–20 minutes. Remove bay leaves, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
Tips and FAQs:
- Do adzuki beans need to be soaked? No — because adzuki beans are small, you can cook them straight from dry, especially under pressure in an Instant Pot.
- Where to find adzuki beans: Many grocery stores carry dried adzuki beans with other legumes. They may also appear in the Asian foods section or at specialty markets.
- How to use adzuki beans: These beans are excellent in grain bowls, salads, curries, and soups. They also work well in sweet preparations like red bean paste for desserts.
Instant Pot adzuki beans are convenient and adaptable. Use them to boost protein and fiber in salads, bowls, chilis, or soups, or mash them for spreads and desserts. They store well in the fridge for several days and freeze nicely for longer storage.
Here are a few serving ideas: add to a Southwestern-style salad, stir into a hearty chili, or include in a multi-bean soup for extra texture and flavor.
- Instant Pot black beans and other pressure-cooked legumes make great companions to this recipe.
- Try lentil or multi-bean soups when you’re in the mood for warm comfort food.
Helpful Tools:
An electric pressure cooker like an Instant Pot makes this recipe fast and consistent.
Other Recipes You Might Like:
- Steamed carrots in the Instant Pot — quick and tender.
- Instant Pot lamb shanks — rich, slow-simmered flavor in less time.
- Greek dolmades with cannelloni beans — stuffed grape leaves cooked with beans for added depth.
Instant Pot Adzuki Beans
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Ingredients
- 3 ¾ cups chicken broth (or water)
- 1 pound dry adzuki beans
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Rinse dried beans and pick out any pebbles.
- Add broth or water to the Instant Pot, then add the adzuki beans, bay leaves, and salt.
- Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 21 minutes (23 minutes if you prefer very soft beans for mashing).
- Allow a natural pressure release for about 15–20 minutes.
- Remove bay leaves, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
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