Instant Pot Lima Beans and Ham… so easy to prepare and tastes like it slow cooked all day!
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The best part is that soaking your dry lima beans is not required when using your pressure cooker… a win-win! I was a little skeptical at first because I’ve always soaked my beans when cooking them on the stove top or in my slow cooker, but nope, it’s not required!
Now I realize that this is a cold weather food and it’s spring, right? Well some days it still feels like winter around here. The other day I was craving a hot bowl of lima beans and I had leftover Easter ham in the freezer, so what else was I to do?
I didn’t include salt in this recipe because it was salty enough with the chicken broth and ham, but feel free to add salt to your personal preference. Enjoy!
PrintInstant Pot Lima Beans and Ham
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 10-½ cups
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry baby lima beans
- 4 cups cubed, chopped or shredded fully cooked ham
- 1–½ cups chopped yellow onion (about 1 medium onion)
- 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- Optional: fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse and sort beans in a colander, removing and discarding any debris.
- Place beans and remaining ingredients (except parsley) in the insert of your Instant Pot (I used an 8 quart) and stir well to combine.
- Place the lid on and lock. Steam release knob should be set on “sealing”.
- Cook on manual setting (high pressure) for 25 minutes. Allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove lid and stir. Remove and discard bay leaf. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
Notes
- Cook time includes the time it took my pot to come to pressure and natural pressure release time.
- I used an Instant Pot LUX80 8 quart in this recipe.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 50
Crystal
I made this today. Due to our elevation I ended up adding 10 minutes to the cooking time although I checked it after doing it as written first. My husband really enjoyed it, especially the broth. I added one-half stalk of celery as well.
Amy @ The Blond Cook
So happy your husband enjoyed it, thanks for sharing, Crystal! 🙂
Becky Fletcher
I just made this and it was awesome. I forgot the black pepper and used minced garlic from a jar. It is so good! I did sprinkle a little salt in it and it was almost too much. I’m trying to rate this a 5 star but it won’t let me. I’ll keep trying.
Amy @ The Blond Cook
Thank you so much, Becky! 🙂
Karen
Great way to cook Lima beans. They stay in shape and are done inside. No soaking required. Thanks for the directions
Amy @ The Blond Cook
Thanks, Karen… I LOVE not having to soak them! 🙂
Elaine
I added a little Better Than Bouillon w/ham base and red pepper flakes. It was delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Amy
That sounds delicious, thank you Elaine. So glad you enjoyed the lima beans!
Myrna farrar
I made this but when it was done added one can bean with bacon soup, it added a lovely smokey flavor.
Amy @ The Blond Cook
That sounds delicious, Myrna! So happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Kathy
I am used to making this recipe on the stove but since I got an instant pot for Christmas, I am trying this today as my first attempt using the pot.
Amy @ The Blond Cook
Hi Kathy, I hope you enjoy your new Instant Pot and the lima beans, too! 🙂
Dana George
I made this recipe and it was yummy! Though to be fair I added red pepper flakes and mashed some of the beans to thicken before serving
I halved the recipe to fit in my mini and it was perfect . Thank you for sharing your recipes. xo Dana George
Joshua Prater
For “all” of us that live at 9,100 ft let it cook under pressure an additional 10 minutes. The soup cooks 14°F less under pressure than at sea level. I ended up with crunchy beans and had to cook longer.
Kerrie
This recipe is great. I used smoked beef kielbasa instead of ham and it tastes just like my grandmother’s lima beans without any of the work. I already bought another bag of beans so I can make it again. This recipe is exactly why I bought an electric pressure cooker. Next time I’m planning on making some cornbread to go with it. This is def going into regular rotation. Thank you so much!
Amy @ The Blond Cook
Thanks so much, Kerri! The beef kielbasa sounds delicious! 🙂
kerrie
It was. I forgot to share that the whole recipe fit in my 6 quart cooker.
Gail
Thanks, I was wondering if my 6 qt pot would work!
Genevieve LeHuquet
Trying it today,Lima Beans an Ham. If it fools my mother into thinking I cooked all day on the stove it’s a success. Let you know how it comes out.
Amy @ The Blond Cook
Hi Genevieve, I hope you and your mother enjoy them lima beans (and she thinks you cooked them all day, LOL!). 🙂
Eddie
Although the recipe was tasty I followed the directions religiously And the Lima beans were still pretty hard I think this recipe needs another 10 minutes to soften the beans.
Amy @ The Blond Cook
Hi Eddie, thanks! Mine were perfectly tender. I’m thinking it could possibly be your elevation (I’m at sea level) and/or possibly a different size or brand of pressure cooker. Hope they’re more tender next time you make them! 🙂
Ida Withrow
I added 9 minutes and they were perfect
Pat
I have the same condition, much to firm at 25min + 10min natural stream release. Adding more time now, smells delicious though.
Dried beans were from bulk bin that I would think has high turn over (fresh).
Give yourself extra time if you are making this for guests
Maranda Retzloff
What if I am using a 6oz instapot? Can pinto beans be used instead of Lima beans?
Amy @ The Blond Cook
Hi Maranda, I haven’t cooked pinto beans in my pressure cooker yet, so I can’t say for sure. I hope you enjoy this if you make it! 🙂
Sarah
My youngest daughter is currently obsessed with the book “A Bad Case of Stripes” and insisted that I buy lima beans at the store yesterday. Our family does not normally eat them. This recipe is in my instapot right now. Fingers crossed the kids will eat them!!
Amy @ The Blond Cook
I hope everyone enjoyed the lima beans, Sarah! 🙂
Susan
Looking forward to trying this recipe. Do you have any suggestions for using a ham hock for the meat? Thanks
Amy @ The Blond Cook
Hi Susan, I’ve never used a ham hock in the instant pot with this recipe (only leftover ham) so I can’t say for sure, but it sounds delicious! Please let me know how it turns out if you try it.
Donna
I am cooking this tomorrow with ham hock slice. Will let you know how it is.
Amy @ The Blond Cook
Hope you enjoy it, Donna! 🙂
NANCY
PLANNING TO MAKE THIS SOUP TOMORROW. I ALREADY QUICK SOAKED MY BEANS BEFORE I READ YOUR VERSION OF NOT HAVING TO SOAK THE BEANS.
1)HOW DOES THIS AFFE4CT THE RECIPE?
2) IS THERE A WAY OF THICKENING THE BROTH A LITTLE LIKE SPLIT PEA AND HAM SOUP?
THANK YOU. (I WILL REFRIGERA MY BEANS TIL TOMORROW)
Amy @ The Blond Cook
Hi Nancy, I cannot say because I’ve never cooked this recipe in the Instant Pot with soaked beans… I’m sure the time will need to be decreased but can’t say by how much since I’ve not made it this way. I would consider adding cream of chicken soup and decreasing the amount of chicken broth to make it thicker, although I’ve never tried this method. I hope you enjoy them!
Emily Limaye
There are time charts on the IP site for soaked and non soaked beans. https://instantpot.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/12PSI-EPC-Cooking-Time-Tables-English.pdf
Peg Arnett
Add a potatoe or two..I like thinker broth too.i add 10 or 15 mins to IP cook time
Blixxy
To thicken you can partially blend it. Use a stick /immersion blender or just take some out, blend in your blender then add it back in and stir. You could probably even mash some with a fork or potato masher.
Gerrie
Can this recipe be adapted for a slow cooker.
Amy @ The Blond Cook
Hi Gerrie, I don’t have a slow cooker version of this recipe posted at this time but am planning to in the near future!
Mike
I am cooking lima beans tomorrow and was wondering if anyone has ever place the entire ham bone in the instant pot.I am a newbie and just learning how to cook with the instant pot.I have never used onegot this pot for CHRISTmas and I have cooked with a lot of kitchen gadgets but this one is a little intimidating to me but I will conquer this tasty one way or another lol
Kathy Jester
I used ham shanked because it is smoked and has more meat on it and it tastes delicious but I did it in the Crock-Pot for 18 hours but I see you can do it for 25 minutes in the pressure cooker. Might even be better bone and all then take the bone off and Shred the meat and take out your Bailey you’re good to go
Deborah
Yes I use ham hocks
Kerrie
I’ve used ham bones. Are you worried about something exploding? The pressure is the same inside the entire container so that can’t happen. The only issue you would have is if the bone doesn’t fit or displaces enough liquid so it exceeds the max-fill line. Otherwise, you’ll be fine. Hope you enjoy your beans!
Linda Davis
I have the ham bone in now cooking with dry baby lima beans. Works perfectly every time.
Matthew
I’ve used ham hocks in *every* bean recipe I’ve made in the instant pot. At least slightly more expensive, but worth it for the flavor. When I get them at the local butcher, I have them sawn in half and then put them in with the beans and they largely fall apart in the beans while cooking
Brenda Prater
I love my Instant Pot! I cook all of my dinners in it. I’ve even made perfect spaghetti and meatballs in it. Don’t be intimidated. If there’s something that you want to make, I can almost guarantee you’ll find multiple, easy recipes for it.