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Using great northern beans from Nebraska, this instant pot white bean soup recipe is creamy, full of flavor, and easy to prepare. Prep time is just 10 minutes! Also, if in the past you’ve struggled to cook the perfect bean from scratch, I share helpful instructions for how to cook beans perfectly, each time, in an instant pot.
Nebraska. A blank space in my mind, except for visions of corn fields and cattle spread across the flat landscape. And yet I found myself booking a plane ticket for the state at the end of September, on assignment for the state’s Dry Bean Commission.
I arrived in Scotts Bluff county on the western edge of Nebraska, to find something completely different and beautiful, with an overwhelming sense of solitude. The wide-open landscape, the enormity of the sky, the incredible rock formations… the magnificent sunsets and sunrises. And “salt of the earth” people.
I was there to capture the bean harvest, and the passionate farmers who grow more than 85% of the country’s great northern beans (small white) and the second leading state in pinto bean production. Chances are if you’ve eaten either of these varieties they’ve come from the hands of Jim, or Burdette. Jeff. Dean. Or another family farm just down the road.
Their hands tell the story.
Of long nights and early mornings.
Of the good years and the bad.
Of the love they have for such a humble, nourishing crop.
I walked the fields with them over the course of the next two days, and climbed into their combines for a birds eye view of harvesting. We talked about the technical things involved with the soil, and how techniques for harvesting have evolved over the years.
But one thing has always stayed the same. The risk, the uncertainty. Whether it’s the weather, the fluctuations of government pricing, consumer demand….. their success rides on so many factors that are completely out of their control. And that takes a special person, one whom has passion, dedication, and care engrained in their way of life, providing for their family and ultimately, all of us.
Dry beans are quite unique in the fact that they are food that flourishes as a living plant, dries in the field, and are harvested for the seed within their pods. They’ll stay that way until rehydrated by way of cooking, turning into a delicious, healthy, protein rich part of our meals. They’re highly economical, and versatile. I use them in everything from soups to desserts, and main dishes to appetizers.
But maybe like you, cooking beans from scratch has been my nemesis. I never knew whether to soak them at room temperature or in the refrigerator, let alone remember to soak them. And then salt, when do I add it? And why aren’t these getting soft, or the opposite, these have no texture left and all are split. Sound familiar?
Basically I’d never cooked perfect beans. Until the Instant Pot did THIS for me. Tender and creamy, not falling apart, and flavorful.
All the thought and debate is taken out thanks to this cooking device taking the world by storm, which is basically pressure cooker combined with other functions that you’d normally have to do on the stovetop separately, like sauté. It’s smart.
I’m convinced it makes the perfect pot of great northern beans every time.
First things first!
You can soak or not soak. The beans will be tender and creamy regardless. Cooking time will be a little longer if you don’t soak, but still only takes 28 minutes. (Just 8 minutes when you soak!) The only difference besides this was when I didn’t soak, the appearance wasn’t quite as pristine. Meaning there were a few more beans that didn’t stay together. The decision rests in how I’m going to use them. If I’m going to be using the beans whole in a recipe, I don’t soak if I’m going to be pureeing them. Like soup!
This simple instant pot white bean soup has quickly become our favorite. Super creamy… and it’s simple to make, with simple ingredients. Once the beans are cooked, you sauté shallots in the bottom of the instant pot, then add back the beans, some of their broth, tahini, and olive oil.
You can use an immersion blender to puree right in the pot and serve! I like to reserve a 1/2 cup of beans to add to the top of each bowl, with a little more fresh thyme. It gives a nice contrast in texture and I love how the beautiful white beans look to the eye.
Gluten-Free Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake
Vegetarian Instant Pot Pinto Beans
Tuscan White Beans with Fried Sage
tag @heartbeetkitchen on instagram and hashtag it #heartbeetkitchen
Edie Stavinoha
November 22, 2017
Thank you for sharing this story! I really like pinto beans in my chili, but had no idea that Nebraska was 2nd in the US in growing pinto beans! I grew up in Nebraska and we always had white bean soup. I can’t wait to try your recipe. I like to make Italian recipes with white beans too. I’ve been intrigued by the instant pot since you first mentioned it a year ago. 💞
Shannon
November 22, 2017
I am completely with you on the battle of how to cook dry beans. I’m definitely becoming convinced that the IP is the way to go!
Cristy
November 22, 2017
We’re working on cutting back on meat, so we’ve been relying on beans a lot more lately, beans in tacos, soups, and veggie chili of course.
Lauren Kuski
November 22, 2017
Looks yummy and easy! Instapot is something I think we’d find helpful in the kitchen.
Ann
November 22, 2017
I love making black bean soup and refried beans from scratch using dried beans. Homemade is always better!
Kristin Kohler
November 22, 2017
My favorite thing to make with beans is white bean hummus! So yum!!
Katie
November 22, 2017
Wow. These pictures. Coming from a recent vegetarian this is great information and makes me love beans 10 times more ❤️ If that was even possible.
amandapaa
November 22, 2017
This is the nicest comment, thank you! Bean love to you…
Katie
November 22, 2017
Yum!! Love me some white beans!
Sarah Thomas
November 22, 2017
I keep pre-made beans on hand for quick and easy meals throughout the week like tacos, soups, curry, burrito bowls, and more!
Sara Trigo
November 22, 2017
Very interesting story. And the pictures that go with it are just amazing. Very good job :)
Meredith K
November 22, 2017
I love to add black beans to brownies for added fiber and protein!
Leslie
November 21, 2017
When the weather gets cool
I love to make a similar white bean soup or chili with white beans and
A skillet of cornbread.
Can’t wait to try your recipe!
Becca
November 21, 2017
Love making white bean chicken chili!
Kayleigh Roberts
November 21, 2017
This looks fantastic!! I’ve never thought of using tahini as part of base for soup, but I’m sure it adds great savory flavors and creamy/smooth texture! Perfect recipe for the chilly winter months :)
Caressa Coots
November 21, 2017
My family loves beans in everything but white bean hummusmight be our favorite! Can’t wait to try this soup!
Amy Lyons
November 21, 2017
I love a good channa masala :)!
Brenda
November 21, 2017
Definitely chili !! It has to have beans!
Ashley
November 21, 2017
I love different sound on bean based chili’s, homemade bean dips, and any beany Indian dish! ❤️
Christine
November 21, 2017
I love making anko with adzuki beans to stuff inside sweet breads! so good!
Angie jerde
November 21, 2017
Can’t get enough soups and chili this time of year! I’ve been wanting an instant pot for so long now!
Abigail
November 21, 2017
This post is beautifully written and made me appreciate what’s behind the bean more than I ever have. I can’t WAIT to try this recipe!
Laurie
November 21, 2017
Ohhhh!!! I’ve been thinking I need to get an Instant Pot to get me through the winter– on days when meal planning hasn’t happened. Favorite meal w/ beans? Chili, of course. Which happens almost every Sunday at our house. :)
Arin Salisbury
November 21, 2017
Favorite thing to make with beans is refried beans with melty jack cheese on top 🤤 I wonder if those could be made in the instant pot 🤔
Melissa
November 21, 2017
I have never tried this before but it does sound so delicious! I’m a huge fan of meals like this in the colder weather.
Audrey Baker
November 21, 2017
I want an instant pot!
Elizabeth
November 21, 2017
My favorite thing to make is chicken chili with great northern beans or any white bean!
Alicia D.
November 21, 2017
Brownies all the way!
Venice Ng Williams
November 21, 2017
A hearty bean soup!
Robin
November 21, 2017
Minestrone yum
Lindsey Hanks
November 21, 2017
I love cabbage and cornbread or corn tortillas with beans!
Michelle
November 21, 2017
We love refried beans, good ole Baked beans, white chicken chili, venison chili…we use a lot of beans.
Ami Knecht
November 21, 2017
I love to make healthy refried beans! Simple yet satisfying.
Christy Turnipseed
November 21, 2017
I love making homemade white chili, even with dried beans, it’s so simple!
Joanna
November 21, 2017
I love making any kind of tex-mex dish (quesadillas, my “Mexican pizza”, burritos).
Melissa
November 21, 2017
White beans with onions, jalapeno and tomatoes.
AND cornbread
Rebecca
November 21, 2017
Lately my favorite is white bean hummus with rosemary!
Nina
November 21, 2017
I love making vegetable soup with beans, chopped tomatoes, spinach and other vegetables in season. I would love to gain more room in my small kitchen by replacing my slow cooker and pressure cooker with an instant pot!
Nancy B
November 21, 2017
This sounds delicious and I would love one of those pots!
Melissa Bond
November 21, 2017
I LOVE cooking beans. I use them in soups, sauteed with sausage, as standalone side dishes and making dips for snacking.
Allison
November 21, 2017
I love to make hummus! I’m so intrigued by the Instant Pot- I have been seeing so many people using them!
Jessica VanAtta
November 21, 2017
WE NEVER KEEP A STOCKED PANTRY SO I ALWAYS TRY TO USE WHAT WE HAVE TO CREATE FRITATAS AND SOUPS. IT’S HEALTHY, EASY AND SO AFFORDABLE WITH BEANS, LENTILS AND VEGGIES. YUMM!!
Amy Main
November 21, 2017
My favorite is Amish Preaching Soup (navy beans & ham).
Mary
November 21, 2017
I love to make a good hearty chili
Erin
November 21, 2017
I love making black bean soup with roasted chilies, spicy sausage and white bean soup, and Italian veggie stew. This soup recipe looks delicious!
Brianne
November 21, 2017
This looks so delicious, I cant wait to try it!
Anna
November 21, 2017
What a cool giveaway! I don’t have too many bean recipes so I need to expand it. I do black beans but that’s it. So sad.
Caitlin
November 21, 2017
My favorite is a Tuscan beans recipe from John Thorne. Super simple but delicious!
JudiD
November 21, 2017
Here in MN at this time of the year a really good chicken chili with white beans.
Cheryl
November 21, 2017
Beans! Yum!
MC
November 21, 2017
It may not be particularly glamorous but I love homemade baked beans on cornbread
Dawn Jones
November 20, 2017
Mine is a little basic, but I love chili. I live in Indiana and it is almost December, there is nothing better than a hot bowl of chili on a cold day. Thank you so much for the chance to win an awesome prize, have a great day!
Jolene
November 20, 2017
I could eat soup and stew for every meal, every season. My boyfriend isn’t as fond of it, but does like my white chicken chili, so I tend to make that a LOT this time of year!
brenda gill
November 20, 2017
i love, love, love my IP for Black beans, so amazing so are my Pinquito beans!!
amandapaa
November 20, 2017
oooo.. these Pinquito beans, tell me more!
brenda gill
November 21, 2017
i love them with soy chorizo browned in a skillet added to the cooked beans along with fresh garlic, onion, a bunch of cilantro minced and added, salt to taste then adobo chiles for the smokiness!! These are vegan and amazing, but also comfort food at it’s best!!
rebecca
November 20, 2017
Love love LOVE bean soup! Absolutely stunning photos Amanda!! xo
amandapaa
November 20, 2017
thank you Rebecca!
cyndi br
November 20, 2017
favorite I like to eat is 7 bean salad .
Kim
November 20, 2017
My favorite thing to make with beans is black bean brownies! So fudgy and yummy :-)
stacey
November 20, 2017
I love to make hummus!
Ruby
November 20, 2017
Amanda, I absolutely loove your beautiful food stories and pictures. You give us stunning glimpses into the hard work and love that goes into gathering nourishment and the families that do that. I loved this whole post, and this soup is just lovely! In the winter I adore a creamy, hearty white bean soup xx
Jessica Kelley
November 20, 2017
If I say hummus am I basic??? regardless, definitely hummus. The Instant POt would help make the creamiest hummus ever!
amandapaa
November 20, 2017
Basic is BEST. :)
Jennifer Essad
November 20, 2017
Love love love baked beans, I usually use great northern or white beans making a sweet sauce with onion, bacon and some brown sugar #whitebeans #food52 #thekitchn #technique
Sarah @ Snixy Kitchen
November 19, 2017
What an amazing experience and these photos capture the farm so beautifully. Also I’m VERY sold on an instant pot – I NEED one!! Like you, I hardly ever cooked dry beans because I never knew how to get them to be perfect. Though I do love using beans in soups, so now that it’s winter, I definitely need one!!
karen r
November 19, 2017
I love cooking beans, especially during the winter months. My favorite thing to make with them is chili
Theresa Krier
November 19, 2017
I subscribe to your newsletter.
Theresa Krier
November 19, 2017
My family loves chili in the cold months, thanks
Marsha in CT
November 19, 2017
I’m a white bean chicken chili -o-phile. Also I like to add white beans/ cannolini to a Russian chopped beet+ salad. Yumm-o-Yumm-o-Yumm!
mary ann
November 19, 2017
Numerous favorites – various versions of chili, baked beans, bean based soup!
ps – love your newsletter :-)
jacquie
November 19, 2017
I already subscribe to your email
jacquie
November 19, 2017
my favorite thing to makes is black bean soup.
WJ
November 19, 2017
Favorite is chili with beans. My dad farmed dry beans, mostly garbanzos, here in California so I’m partial to them.
Jennifer
November 19, 2017
I love white beans in many dishes, and a favorite is Tuscan bean soup. Last winter I roasted a few heads of garlic. I don’t have a blender, hand or otherwise, so I put white beans and garlic through a sieve, added some broth, 1/2 and 1/2, and fresh sage and rosemary. It was delish and I think would be a good vehicle for additions like sauteed greens (**cough*bacon*cough**). If the idea appeals to you and you can refine it, please do!
Jeffrey
November 19, 2017
I like my beans served inside burritos. I make a pork loin, season and shred it for the meat. We add some rice, beans, roasted vegetables, leafy stuff, cheese and salsa. They are the BOMBGIGGITY. I’d love to win the Instant Pot, most of the items for my burritos could be prepared in it.
I already follow you on Instagram with the handle @firerunner2379
amandapaa
November 19, 2017
Yes, burritos for the world!
Kelly M.
November 19, 2017
I love making “Alfredo sauce” by blending white beans with broth, garlic, and oil. I follow on IG (elizabethh0220) and subscribe to the newsletter!
amandapaa
November 19, 2017
totally trying that.
Rachel @Clean Eating for the Non-Hippie
November 19, 2017
Mmm, I love me a white bean! All beans, really :)
amandapaa
November 19, 2017
me too. :)
Laurelee Wyatt
November 19, 2017
Sounds awesome. Will look forward to your recipes. Laurelee
Cindy A.
November 19, 2017
I also subscribe to your newsletter.
Cindy A.
November 19, 2017
I follow you on Instagram as @norma_watson.
Cindy A.
November 19, 2017
My favorites are chili and my aunt’s bean salad. Thank you so much for the giveaway!
Michelle
November 19, 2017
I love to make a big batch of Chickpea’s and use them through out the week to put in salads, rice bowls, and make hummus.
Brenda Haines
November 19, 2017
I love some good slow cooked pork and beans. My mom made them the best, but mine are a close 2nd.
Brenda Haines
November 19, 2017
I subscribe to your emails and I follow on Instagram, @thehippiehut32.
Starla
November 19, 2017
That looks absolutely delicious and so comforting. My favorites is 15 bean soup.. which I have grown up eating. It’s definitely a comfort food for me! I follow you on instagram @ _ifancythat // and of course I have been subscribed to your emails!
xo
amandapaa
November 19, 2017
totally want to try a 15 bean soup!
jan
November 19, 2017
Love to add beans to tacos
amandapaa
November 19, 2017
a necessity for tacos!
Nonie M Kleinhans
November 19, 2017
Brownies (black or garbanzo beans)–one recipe w/blueberries and the other w/spinach and raspberries
Tiffany Litchfield
November 19, 2017
I love to make any soup with beans.
Lauren
November 19, 2017
Oh man ! this recipe sounds AMAZING! I love to make chili, winter harvest quinoa salads and bean dip with my Northern great whites :) Thank you for sharing!
Jill
November 19, 2017
Sweet potato and black bean fajitas! Now I am hungry and must make some for lunch today 😋
pat
November 19, 2017
One chili with great white notherns, hominy, ground turkey, chili peppers …. yum!
Shirleen
November 19, 2017
What a wonderful applisnce! I would use it to make black bean soup. Ill be trying your white bean soup soon, tha tahini is an interesting addition.
Eleanor Hester
November 19, 2017
I like to make chili with beans.
Lisa V.
November 19, 2017
Chili is my favorite thing to make with beans.
Nancy M
November 19, 2017
This sounds so yummy and comforting. I can’t wait to try it.
MaryEllen
November 19, 2017
Easy, quick soup… I just throw in whatever I have in the fridge at the end of the week along with my beans and voila!! Tasty soup for the weekend!!
Mar
November 19, 2017
I really like all kind of stew beanswith pumkin and sweet potatoes!
amandapaa
November 19, 2017
that sounds amazing!
Jolaine Wiens
November 19, 2017
This looks amazing! I absolutely love making dips and sauces with beans, like hummus! They are just so full of flavor and texture and satisfying.
MaryB
November 19, 2017
I love spicy black beans or white bean chili.
Aaron
November 19, 2017
I enjoy a good navy bean soup.
Aaron
November 19, 2017
I follow on instagram – a_m_a_r_t_i_n – and I am subscribed to your newsletter.
Casey the College Celiac
November 18, 2017
I love a good black beans soup!
Grace
November 18, 2017
I love to make chili with beans!
Kristen D
November 18, 2017
I love making cuban style black beans and eating them with eggs and salsa with guacamole!
Shoshana
November 18, 2017
Now that the weather is getting colder, I love making a giant pot of vegetarian chili. I use a little bit of dark chocolate and it makes all the difference!
Karlie
November 18, 2017
Favorite thing to make with beans is blondies! Lends such a creamy consistency and perfect for a gluten free treat. Love that this recipe has tahini! mm
amandapaa
November 18, 2017
I just made blondie bars with chickpeas two weeks ago, amazing!
dusty
February 9, 2020
I don’t have any tahini. What can be used instead
Amanda Paa
February 10, 2020
cashew butter would also work!