Instant Pot Butter Beans Recipe is easy, tasty and quick to make. A no soak butter bean recipe you will want to make over and over again.
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Instant Pot Butter Beans is a quick and recipe that allows you to have a no soak butter bean recipe with ham hocks. Serve this up for a hearty and comforting weeknight meal.
Butter beans with ham hocks couldn’t be easier thanks to your Instant Pot.Try out my rigatoni recipe as well for another easy dinner idea.
Table of contents
- Is There Another Name For Butter Beans
- Is This Recipe A Butter Bean Soup
- Can I Use A Ham Bone For This Butter Bean Recipe
- Is Butter Beans With Ham Hocks the Same of Southern Butter Beans
- What Can I Substitute For Butter Beans
- Tools Needed For Instant Pot Butter Beans With Ham Hocks
- Best Sides With Butter Beans
- Searching for Instant Pot Recipes
- What Do Butter Beans Taste Like
- Are Butter Beans Good For You
- What Size Instant Pot Was Used to Make Butter Beans
- Have you ever tried Instant Pot Butter Beans?
Butter beans cooked in the pressure cooker give you that slow-cooked butter bean flavor but in a fraction of the time.
No more soaking your beans, thanks to your handy dandy pressure cooker. That is always a winning plus for reaching for your Instant Pot.
Cold weather is on the horizon, so why not plan ahead and get this recipe saved and ready. I have a quick and easy butter bean recipe that will win over a crowd.Also, try this ultimate instant pot pinto beans recipe!
Is There Another Name For Butter Beans
Butter beans are also called lima beans. Depending on where you live will depend on what you call these tasty little beans. People in say the United Kingdom know these as butter beans. Same as the south.
Is This Recipe A Butter Bean Soup
Yes. We eat it like soup, pour it into bowls, and eat with a spoon. This soup recipe offers beans that are tender, flavorful, and can be made in no time. Add a splash of salt and pepper and serve up this dish.
Can I Use A Ham Bone For This Butter Bean Recipe
Can I Use A Ham Bone For This Butter Bean RecipeYes. You are welcome to use a ham bone, ham hocks or even diced smoked ham. The ham really adds a lot of richness to the recipe. Some even swap the ham with bacon and find it offers a tasty richness as well.
Is Butter Beans With Ham Hocks the Same of Southern Butter Beans
No. Southern Butter Beans a lot creamier in texture and break down a lot more as it cooks. Both are tasty recipes though!
What Can I Substitute For Butter Beans
You could swap out to Cannellini beans which are a white bean. I have not tried it in this recipe, so you would have to adjust the cooking time a bit. I think if you used canned beans they would break down too much in the pressure cooker. So using dried you might need to soak them before cooking in the Instant Pot.
- Instant Pot
- Wooden Spoon for Stirring
- Bowl for Serving
- Cutting Board
- Knife
for Stirring
Best Sides With Butter Beans
- Cornbread | Whether it is a sweet cornbread or savory, this is always welcome in my books. I even sprinkle the cornbread over the top, and eat it with the beans.
- Bread | Whether dinner rolls, a slice of homemade bread, it is always a good side to pair with your beans.
- Vinegar | This isn’t a side, but if you have never try adding a splash of white distilled vinegar into your butter beans, give it a try. The acidity will bring out so much flavor and help your tummy not get upset from all the fiber.
- Salad | Lighten up the meal with a salad. Reach for whatever greens you like, add in some fresh tomatoes, cucumber slices and more and enjoy.
Searching for Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes | The PERFECT side dish for any occasion. This recipe is going to win you over.. for sure.
- Keto Instant Pot Recipes | If you are on a low carb or keto diet, here is a great list of keto-approved recipes.
- Swiss Steak and Potatoes | A meal in one pot is what you get with this swiss steak and potatoes recipe.
What Do Butter Beans Taste Like
Butter beans have a really velvety and smooth texture. They are savory and are super tasty. You will find butter beans are great for being a stand out ingredient in the dish.
Are Butter Beans Good For You
Butter beans are a great food to keep in rotation to your diet. They are a great source of fiber, vitamin B, protein, and so many other vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Plus beans have been known to help with cholesterol, reduce blood sugar, and help with gut care.
What Size Instant Pot Was Used to Make Butter Beans
I used the 6 quarts Instant Pot
for this recipe. I have been asked if you could half the recipe. We don’t see why you couldn’t if you want to use a smaller Instant Pot or just want less servings. I am still somewhat new to the Instant Pot so I can’t 100% say with success.
Dried beans in Instant Pot are easy, and a great way to save money. See my post on Instant Pot dried beans!
Created by: Kelsey
Instant Pot Butter Beans Recipe
Course Instant Pot
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings
Instant Pot Butter Beans Recipe is easy, tasty and quick to make. A no soak butter bean recipe you will want to make over and over again.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Ingredients
- • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- • 1 – 2 cups smoked ham chopped into large chunks
- • 1 large red onion chopped
- • 2-3 cloves garlic crushed or minced
- • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- • 1 teaspoon salt
- • 3 bay leaves
- • ½ teaspoon white pepper
- • ¼ teaspoon red pepper
- • 16 ounces dried lima beans large beans, rinsed and sorted
- • 2 ham hocks
- • 6 cups chicken broth
- • 2 cups water
Instructions
Turn Instant Pot on saute mode and add the vegetable oil. Add in smoked ham, red onion, and garlic, and saute for 3-5 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds to minute.
Turn off the saute mode and add in butter, seasonings, beans, ham hocks, and liquid.
Close the lid on Instant Pot and set the pressure valve to sealing.
Set a high-pressure cooking time of 25 minutes, and allow for a natural pressure release of 15 minutes at the end of the cooking time, before releasing the rest of the pressure.
Notes
Equipment
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 311kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 18gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 1200mgFiber: 9gSugar: 5g
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Have you ever tried Instant Pot Butter Beans?
Have you ever tried Instant Pot Butter Beans?Before you go – more tasty recipes to try!
- Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes Recipe
- Baked Beans With Ground Beef Recipe That Will Win Anyone Over
- Instant Pot Green Beans With Bacon Recipe
- Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak (With Video)
Reader Interactions
Anne Marie says
My mother made butter beans a lot when we were little, but I’ve not tried to cook them myself. Your recipe has inspired me!
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Jennifer Soltys says
I haven’t tried making any types of bean in my Instant Pot yet, but love that it’s an option! I also didn’t know that butter beans are also lima beans. I know I tried lima beans as a child, but I can’t remember if I liked them. Time to try again!
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Kathy Marshall says
Butter Beans are awesome!!! Crumbled corn bread in a bowl of butter beans is a meal. Today I’m making butter beans with a frozen ham bone. The flavor will be so good! I used:
1 lb of butter beans
4 cups water
1meaty ham bone
1 stick salted butter
3 bay leaves
6 chicken bullion cubes
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp red pepper
1/2 tsp sweet basil
1/2 tsp saltSee AlsoAn Old Flask and Childhood Memories: Cheese, Onion and Potato Pasties RecipeLoaded Vegetable Quiche Recipe (Vegetarian!) - Vegetarian VenturesPoorman's Meal (Depression Era Recipe) - Busy Mom RecipesMum's Pease Pudding Recipe - Lavender and LovageCook on manual (IP Lux) for 30 minutes and slow release for 15 minutes).
I used my 8 qt Instant Pot
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Dana says
@Kathy Marshall, I did this exact way and mine are tasty but mushy. Well when I eat them I feel whole beans but alot of cream/mush. Its not a creamy broth like photo. Is this what you got?
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Dana says
@Kathy Marshall, sorry meant to say, its not a clear broth. Its a creamy base.
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Kelsey says
You can always cook for a shorter time if you want beans to be firmer. Depending on your bean and how your Instant Pot cooks can vary in your result.
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Brianne Tursi Manz says
I look forward to making this when it turns Fall. I love a big pot of beans when the temperatures cool down, and this is perfect and delicious!
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Tara Pittman says
I need to use my pressure cooker more often This is a recipe that I will be making for dinner.
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robin rue says
I have never had beans like this before. They sound wicked good.
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Annemarie LeBlanc says
The addition of ham hocks will make this dish really tasty! I will save the recipe and make this on the weekend! Happy to find one more Instant Pot recipe!
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Amy says
I have never made beans using dried beans. I really need to make it a point to try this recipe–yum!
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Kathy says
That looks really good. I just got an instant pot not long ago and I’ve been looking for recipes to try out. Looks like I’ll be trying these because they look delicious!
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Heather says
You just transported me back to my childhood! I haven’t had butter beans since I was a kid!
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Myrah Duque says
This recipe looks delicious! I like that it includes ham to give it that extra kick. I will definitely be making this one soon.
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krystal says
I need to use my Instant Pot more. I’d love to try this since it looks delicious!
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Rachel says
I haven’t made beans in the instant pot. I am sure it would save so much time and be healthier to make my own beans instead of using canned.
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Emily says
Anytime I make ham my husband saves the bone for broth and he seriously needs more ideas of what to do with that ham bone. This looks perfect!
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Ruth I says
I love how simple yet enticing this dish is. Something that I would want to prepare on the go. Thank you for the great recipe.
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Claudia Krusch says
We love beans at our house! I can’t wait to try your recipe this coming weekend!
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Katrina says
My family loves beans and I have been looking for more recipes to try in the instant pot! Thanks for sharing, will be trying this!
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These are amazing! I love these beans, but I have never eaten such a meal. Makes me want it now.
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I have never heard of this but good to know! I need to get an instant pot
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bonnie smith says
They call them lima beans in Canada come in2 sizes
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Terri says
Hello, I am going to make this but the recipe doesn’t show the instructions on line 2 line 4 or line 6. Not sure what to do.
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Kelsey says
It is fixed, there are just spaces, all the steps are there.
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Kenna says
We call them lima beans and I use baby lima. This is the best recipe. I make it every time we have ham
Use the whole bone. Then just take the ham off.. best there is.Reply
Camille says
I think I have a faulty Instant Pot. DUO 6 qt. It takes twice as long Cooking minutes for anything I cook. Take this butter bean recipe. I cooked this today. I used the recipe here. I set it for 40 minutes pressure time and they weren’t done with a soft center the way I like. I started them again and used “more” temperature and an additional 15 minutes cook time with a natural release. Most of the beans were done except for a few. When I first got the DUO 6 it did hard boiled eggs perfectly but it took 14 minutes. I’ve tried broccoli which we like tender, not crunchy, but not falling apart either and it took 3 times as long as it should have. I tried eggs again recently and they came out half raw, not even soft boiled. I wonder if Walmart will take it back.
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Kelsey says
Oh wow I am not sure. I would say yes something could be wrong for sure.
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Iris says
@Camille,
I had a problem similar to yours and found out I needed a new rubber seal for the lid.
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Michael says
So I like Southern style so I tried soaking the beans 4 hrs first? See if they come out creamy? Hope it works. Let’s see? Either its a hit! Or a disaster? I will keep you all posted.
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Kelsey says
Oh wow, love to hear how it turns out! I am not sure I have had a Southern style before.
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Stacy says
I’m a Southern woman. I love good ol’ soul food. Turnip greens with either a ham hock, pig tales and neck bones or fat back, cornbread to soak in the pot liquor, fried green tomatoes, sliced tomatoes and onions, sweet tea and peach cobbler. And more.
The large, cream colored butter beans are my absolute favorite type of bean.
25 minutes in the Instant Pot is fast indeed.
But, if you soak the dry beans overnight, the beans only take around 6-8 minutes to cook.
I’m cooking the butter beans tomorrow along with fried pork chops, rice, green beans, glazed carrots, marinated onions and roasted zuchinni.
I make sure that the beans make a fair amount of what I call ‘butter bean broth’. That way, I can crumble some cornbread or saltines in it and mix in some minced onion and a little minced garlic or garlic powder.
I don’t have any fat back or ham hocks but I do have some really nice thick sliced hickory smoked bacon.
Your recipe looks tasty. I’d have to omit the red pepper. I’m very sensitive to hot spices and hot peppersReply
Kelsey says
That sounds like an incredible dinner you are whipping up tomorrow!
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Keith says
@Stacy, I’m not from the South, but everything you described sounds amazing and has inspired some ideas for my next get together (especially the peach cobbler)!
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Rita says
This is delicious; however, I made some changes. I sliced a pound of kielbasa and substituted it for the meat in the recipe. My beans weren’t done at 25 minutes and 15 min normal pressure release so I cooked them 10 more minutes with 15 min release. Perfect!
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Jessica says
Is there a recommendation for changes to cook time or ingredients if you only have baby Lima beans available, as opposed to the large?
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Kelsey says
You should be able to keep the cook time the same and it should work just fine.
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Jessica says
@Kelsey, Thank you!
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Nicole says
I made this today on Easter. I couldn’t find the large butter beans I love so I had to use the smaller ones. I swapped the ham for smoked turkey tails and wings. I soaked them for 4 hours and proceeded with the instructions. It came out really yummy ! There is more liquid than I was expecting. Next time I will double the amount of beans used. I am baking cornbread right now. About to chow down !! Thank you !
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Kelsey says
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, and sounds like you had some great variations. The reason why you had some extra liquid is my recipe uses dry beans, and you soaked yours for a bit. So i think it didn’t absorb all the liquid like it would with a dry bean. But, either way, it sounds like it was delicious!
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Jacqueline Knight-Colunga says
Breaking in my new Instant Pot making this recipe today since it’s a nasty rainy day!
My grandmother made us butter beans when I was a kid and I absolutely loved them!
I followed the recipe almost exactly, so we’ll see how they turn out!Reply
Kelsey says
Hope you enjoy it, and congrats on your Instant Pot!
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Lana Fischer says
Oh geesh…this is perfect and so delicious!! Made it as directed except sauteed celery with onion and garlic and added maybe an extra cup of butter beans. It had a nice thicken consistency. I added 1 can of cream of mushroom because I would do that anyway and extra salt because I hardly added any to cook with. This is a keeper! Thank you for sharing!
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Kelsey says
Wonderful to hear Lana! Thanks for sharing your switch ups, that sounds delicious!
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Maritza says
This recipe is excellent!! Also very easy to do. The only thing I had to complained was the time to cook, 25 minutes is not enough considering the Lima Beans were dry and never soaked. When I open the Pot, they were still very hard!….but no harm done, just a little more time to enjoy this delicious dish!!
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David Elliott says
If the recipe calls for 1lb (16oz’s ) and you double the beans to 2lb’s (32oz’s ) do you double the water?
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Kelsey says
You would need to add extra water yes, or the beans would dry out and not have enough liquid to absorb. I don’t know if you would double or maybe do like 24 ounces and that would work. But I can’t fully say, I am sorry. I just haven’t tried it so I don’t want to stear you one way or another.
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