Hearty & Flavorful Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup: Your New Go-To, No-Soak Recipe
Transform your kitchen into a haven of comforting aromas with this incredibly easy and robust Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup. This delightful recipe effortlessly combines a medley of fifteen different beans with fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and a rich broth, all cooked to perfection in your Instant Pot. The magic of pressure cooking eliminates the need for pre-soaking the dried beans, drastically cutting down your preparation time and making this wholesome meal a breeze to whip up. You’ll be amazed by how incredibly hearty and satisfying this soup is, packed with plant-based protein and fiber. It’s an ideal candidate for weekly meal prep, providing nourishing lunches for days, or can be easily frozen for a quick and convenient future meal.
There’s nothing quite like walking into my mom’s kitchen and knowing a large, inviting container of her homemade Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup awaits in the fridge. It’s become a comforting staple, a testament to her love and practicality. Every visit, I eagerly warm up a bowl, savoring its rich flavors and satisfying texture. This isn’t just a simple bean soup; it’s a deeply flavorful and incredibly filling lunch that always hits the spot. After countless bowls and consistent enjoyment, I knew this recipe was far too good not to share with all of you. It truly deserves a permanent spot on my website, allowing others to discover and enjoy its comforting goodness.
The standout feature of this particular bean soup recipe is its ingenious use of the Instant Pot. This modern kitchen marvel revolutionizes the traditional process of cooking dried beans. Gone are the days of tedious overnight soaking, which often adds an extra layer of planning and time to your cooking schedule. With the Instant Pot, you can bypass this step entirely, significantly reducing the overall prep time and getting dinner on the table much faster.
Not only does the Instant Pot eliminate the need for pre-soaking, but it also allows you to cook everything in a single pot. This means less mess, fewer dishes, and a quicker cleanup, making it a perfect solution for busy weeknights or when you simply want a delicious, wholesome meal without a fuss. The “set it and forget it” nature of pressure cooking ensures a consistent and perfectly cooked result every time.
Beyond its ease and speed, this Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup excels as a meal-prep powerhouse. Dedicate a small amount of time over the weekend to make a large batch, and you’ll have nutritious, ready-to-eat lunches for the entire week. Alternatively, freeze half of the soup for a future occasion when you need a quick, homemade meal without any effort. Its versatility and robust nature make it an indispensable recipe for any home cook looking to save time and eat well.
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and efficiency of Instant Pot cooking, be sure to explore more of my pressure cooker favorites! You might enjoy my Instant Pot Turkey Chili, Instant Pot Pork Chili, Instant Pot Lentil Soup, Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup or this hearty Instant Pot Beef Stew. Each recipe offers the same promise of deliciousness with minimal effort.
Why You Will Love This Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup: A Culinary Delight
This Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup isn’t just another recipe; it’s a culinary experience designed for convenience, flavor, and nutrition. Here’s why it will quickly become a cherished favorite in your recipe collection:
- Simple, Wholesome Ingredients: One of the greatest appeals of this soup lies in its straightforward and accessible ingredients. You’ll find yourself reaching for a convenient 15-bean soup mix—easily located in the dried or canned bean aisle of your local grocery store. This mix, combined with fresh, vibrant vegetables, a selection of common pantry spices, and a flavorful broth, creates a remarkably hearty and satisfying meal. Despite its simplicity, this soup is a nutritional powerhouse, brimming with plant-based protein and essential fibers.
- No Pre-Soaking Beans Required: Forget the tedious and often forgotten step of soaking beans overnight! The Instant Pot truly shines in this recipe, allowing you to cook dried beans directly without any prior soaking. This eliminates a significant amount of preparation time and effort, making it feasible to prepare this wholesome soup even on busy weeknights. The pressure cooker not only speeds up the cooking process but also ensures the beans are tender and perfectly cooked, all within a single pot, leading to minimal cleanup.
- Excellent for Meal Preparation: This soup is a dream come true for anyone committed to meal prepping. Its robust flavors actually deepen and improve over time, making it an ideal candidate for cooking a large batch on the weekend. Enjoy it throughout the week for quick, nourishing lunches or dinners. Furthermore, this Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup freezes beautifully, allowing you to store half for a convenient, ready-to-heat meal whenever you need a filling and wholesome option on short notice. Having this hearty soup on hand is a game-changer for maintaining healthy eating habits.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need for Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup
Crafting this flavorful Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup requires a selection of readily available and simple ingredients that come together to create a complex and satisfying dish. Below is an overview of the key components. For precise measurements and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located further down this page.
- 15 Bean Soup Mix: This is the star of our show! You’ll typically find a 15-bean soup mix, often in a convenient bag, alongside other dried beans or canned bean varieties in your local grocery store. Occasionally, you might even come across a “16 bean soup mix,” which works just as well. A crucial tip: Most of these mixes come with a small seasoning packet. I highly recommend discarding this packet. By creating your own spice blend, as detailed below, you gain full control over the flavor profile and, importantly, the sodium content, avoiding any unnecessary additives.
- Fresh, Vibrant Vegetables: A solid foundation of fresh vegetables is vital for building a rich flavor base. Our recipe calls for aromatic essentials like onion and garlic, providing a sweet and pungent depth. Carrots add natural sweetness and a lovely color, while celery contributes a subtle, earthy crispness. Finally, red bell pepper introduces a touch of vibrant color and mild sweetness. However, this soup is incredibly versatile! Feel free to incorporate other vegetables you have on hand, such as zucchini, green beans, broccoli florets, or cauliflower. It’s an excellent “clean out the fridge, pantry, or freezer” kind of soup, perfect for utilizing any leftover produce, whether fresh, canned, or frozen.
- Rich Tomato Sauce: Tomato sauce plays a pivotal role, adding a lovely sweetness and a layer of umami to the soup. If you happen to have any leftover homemade spaghetti sauce, it can be a fantastic substitute, further enhancing the depth of flavor.
- Diced Tomatoes: We use a can of diced tomatoes, and it’s important not to drain them. The juice from the tomatoes is packed with flavor and provides additional liquid necessary for the beans to cook perfectly in the Instant Pot. For an extra layer of complexity and a subtle smoky undertone, consider using fire-roasted diced tomatoes.
- A Medley of Spices: To ensure this soup is anything but bland, a generous and diverse blend of spices is essential. Beans, while nutritious, can sometimes lack inherent flavor, making a well-balanced spice profile critical. Our carefully selected spices—including earthy turmeric, sweet and vibrant paprika, smoky chili powder, warm cumin, aromatic dried oregano and basil, and savory thyme—work in harmony to create a truly delicious depth of flavor. For those who appreciate a little kick, a pinch of cayenne red pepper is an optional but highly recommended addition. These spices transform the humble bean mix into an extraordinary culinary experience.
Crafting Your Delicious Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making this hearty Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup is a straightforward process, thanks to the efficiency of pressure cooking. Follow these simple steps for a comforting meal that comes together with ease:
Step 1: Prepare the Beans for Cooking: Begin by taking your 15-bean soup mix and carefully removing the small seasoning packet typically found inside – we won’t be using it, as we’ll create our own superior flavor profile. Next, transfer the dried beans into a colander. Rinse them thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dust or loose debris. After rinsing, take a moment to meticulously pick through the dry beans, inspecting for any small stones or imperfections that might have made their way into the mix. This ensures a pleasant eating experience.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatic Vegetables: Initiate the SAUTE function on your Instant Pot and allow it to heat up for a minute or two. Once it indicates “Hot” or is sufficiently warm, add the olive oil to the inner pot. Introduce the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for approximately 2 minutes until they become fragrant and begin to soften. Then, add the diced celery, carrots, and red bell pepper. Continue to sauté these vegetables for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender-crisp. This step is crucial for building a foundational layer of flavor for your soup. Once sautéed, press the CANCEL button to turn off the SAUTE function.
Step 3: Combine Beans, Broth, and Spices: Now it’s time to bring all the key ingredients together! Add the rinsed beans, vegetable broth, water, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes (undrained, for extra flavor) to the Instant Pot. Sprinkle in your carefully chosen blend of spices: turmeric, paprika, chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, basil, thyme, and the optional cayenne red pepper for a bit of heat. Season generously with salt and pepper, and don’t forget to add the bay leaves, which infuse the soup with a subtle, aromatic depth during cooking. Stir everything thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well combined and the spices are evenly distributed. Once mixed, securely lock the lid onto your Instant Pot and ensure the steam release vent is set to the SEALING position. This prepares the pot for pressure cooking.
Step 4: Set to High Pressure Cooking: Select the MANUAL (or Pressure Cook, depending on your model) button on your Instant Pot. Ensure you select the HIGH pressure setting. Set the cooking time to 32 minutes. The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure before the cooking countdown begins. Be patient; this pre-heating phase is normal and necessary.
Step 5: Natural Pressure Release: Once the 32-minute cooking cycle is complete, the Instant Pot will beep and switch to “Keep Warm.” It is crucial to allow the steam to NATURALLY release for 15 minutes. This means you do nothing; let the pressure drop on its own. A natural release prevents the beans from bursting and helps them achieve a perfectly tender texture. After 15 minutes, carefully manually release any remaining pressure by turning the steam release vent to the VENTING position (use a kitchen towel or oven mitt to protect your hand from the hot steam). Once the float valve has dropped, it is safe to open the lid.
Step 6: Optional Puree and Garnish: For those who prefer a creamier, slightly thicker soup, now is the time to use a handheld immersion blender. Carefully blend a portion of the soup directly in the Instant Pot, pulsing until you reach your desired consistency. This step is entirely optional but effectively thickens the soup without needing flour or cornstarch. Finally, ladle the steaming hot soup into bowls. Garnish generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of vibrant color and a gentle warmth. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Discovering the Diverse Beans in Your 15 Bean Soup Mix
The beauty of a 15-bean soup mix, such as the popular Hurst’s brand I often use, lies in its incredible variety, which contributes to a complex flavor and texture profile. While the exact blend can vary slightly by brand, these mixes typically feature a selection from the following rich array of legumes: northern beans, pinto beans, large lima beans, yellow eye beans, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), baby lima beans, green split peas, kidney beans, cranberry beans, small white beans, pink beans, small red beans, yellow split peas, lentils, navy beans, white kidney beans, and black beans. This diverse combination ensures that every spoonful offers a slightly different bite, from creamy to firm, and a harmonious blend of earthy flavors that make this soup truly special and nutritionally comprehensive.
Exciting Recipe Variations to Customize Your 15 Bean Soup
This Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to easily customize it to your personal preferences and what you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with these delicious variations:
- Spice It Up: While our foundational spice blend is robust, you can always explore other flavor profiles. Consider adding an Italian seasoning blend for a Mediterranean twist, or incorporating smoked paprika for a deeper, more complex aroma. A touch of curry powder or ground coriander can transport your taste buds to a different culinary landscape. Feel free to adjust the quantities to match your preferred intensity.
- Vegetable Boost: This soup is a fantastic vehicle for extra vegetables. Beyond the onion, carrots, celery, and bell pepper, try folding in diced broccoli, fresh green beans, peas, or zucchini for added nutrition and texture. For a subtle peppery note, finely diced poblano peppers would also be a great addition. Remember to dice your chosen vegetables into a uniform size to ensure they cook evenly and integrate beautifully into the soup.
- Add Fresh Greens: Stirring in a handful of leafy greens at the end of the cooking process adds a wonderful burst of freshness and extra vitamins. Spinach, kale (de-stemmed and chopped), or Swiss chard are all excellent choices. Simply stir them into the hot soup after the pressure has been released, then place the lid back on the Instant Pot for about 5 minutes. The residual heat will gently wilt the greens to perfection.
- Fresh Herb Finish: While dried herbs are used during cooking, a garnish of fresh herbs can elevate the soup’s aroma and brightness. Finely chopped fresh parsley, basil, oregano, dill, or cilantro make delightful additions just before serving. Choose your favorite or combine a few for a vibrant finish.
- Creamy Cheese Toppings: A sprinkle of cheese can add a lovely creamy, salty counterpoint to the rich bean soup. Beyond the classic Parmesan, consider crumbling some tangy feta cheese, creamy goat cheese, or melting shredded mozzarella over each serving. Each offers a unique flavor dimension.
- Kick Up the Heat: If you’re a fan of spicy food, there are several ways to add more heat to your soup. A few dashes of your favorite hot sauce stirred in at the end, an extra pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, or even finely chopped fresh jalapeños (sautéed with the other vegetables) can bring a fiery zest to your bowl. Start with a small amount and add more to taste.
Storage and Freezing Tips for Your Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup
One of the best qualities of this Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup is how well it stores, making it perfect for meal planning and enjoying delicious leftovers. Proper storage ensures your soup remains fresh and flavorful.
To store leftover soup, allow it to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer the cooled soup into an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat the desired portion on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through, or microwave in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring occasionally, until hot.
This soup also freezes exceptionally well, which is fantastic for long-term meal prep. To freeze, ensure the soup has cooled completely after cooking. Divide it into freezer-safe airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. If using bags, lay them flat to freeze, which saves space. The soup can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy a frozen portion, transfer it to the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Once thawed, reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave until it’s bubbling and hot. You may need to add a splash of vegetable broth or water if it seems too thick after thawing and reheating.
Explore More Delicious Bean Soup Recipes
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Instant Pot 15 Bean Soup
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Ingredients
- 1 pound 15 bean soup mix {discard the seasoning packet}
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups sweet onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 of a red bell pepper, seeds removed, diced
- 4 cups vegetable broth or vegetable stock
- 3 cups water
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes {undrained}
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne red pepper, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- Fresh parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, oyster crackers and crushed red pepper flakes, for garnish
Instructions
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Remove and discard the seasoning packet from the 15 bean soup mix bag. This allows you to control the flavor and sodium better.
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Place the beans in a colander and rinse them thoroughly with cold water. Drain well. Carefully pick through the dry beans to remove any small stones or debris.
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Turn the Instant Pot to the SAUTE function and add the olive oil. Once the pot indicates it is heated (often “Hot”), add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the diced celery, carrots, and red bell pepper and continue to sauté for another 5 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften. Press CANCEL to turn off the SAUTE function.
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Add the rinsed beans, vegetable broth, water, tomato sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, turmeric, paprika, chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, cayenne red pepper (if using), salt, pepper, and bay leaves to the Instant Pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly. Securely lock the lid in place and ensure the steam release vent is set to the SEALING position.
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Press the MANUAL (or Pressure Cook) button, select HIGH pressure, and set the cooking time to 32 minutes. The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure before the countdown begins.
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Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the steam to NATURALLY release for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, carefully manually release any remaining pressure by turning the steam release vent to VENTING (use a kitchen towel to protect your hand). Once the float valve has dropped, open the lid.
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If you desire a creamier and thicker soup, use a handheld immersion blender to puree a portion of the soup directly in the pot. Blend until your preferred consistency is reached. This step is optional.
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Ladle the warm soup into bowls. Garnish generously with fresh Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve immediately. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for later.
Notes
- I typically find the 15 bean soup mix in a bag in the aisle dedicated to canned beans and dried legumes at my grocery store. I always recommend discarding the small seasoning packet that comes with the mix because it often contains excessive salt and unwanted additives. Creating your own spice blend allows for superior flavor control.
- For the liquid base, you can easily substitute chicken broth or chicken stock in place of the vegetable broth. For an added boost of protein and beneficial collagen, bone broths are also an excellent and flavorful option.
- If you wish to add a smoky, savory depth to your soup, you can incorporate ham. If adding diced ham, adjust the MANUAL cook time to 40 minutes instead of 32 minutes to ensure the ham cooks through and its flavors meld perfectly with the beans.
- The success of this soup hinges on a robust spice profile. Because a large quantity of beans can sometimes result in a bland flavor if not seasoned properly, I’ve designed a blend with a good variety of spices. Feel free to experiment with the spices to suit your taste; you can increase or decrease any of them to achieve your desired flavor intensity.
- This soup is incredibly versatile when it comes to vegetables. Don’t hesitate to incorporate a variety of other veggies you might have on hand, such as diced zucchini, fresh green beans, peas, broccoli florets, or small cauliflower pieces. Just ensure they are cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.