Instant Pot Great Northern Beans Recipe
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When it comes to nutritious legumes, Great Northern beans deserve a top spot on your list. These small, white beans are not only delicious but are also packed with health benefits, making them an excellent addition to any meal. In today’s post, I’ll share the many health benefits of Great Northern beans, along with my favorite ways to cook and enjoy them!
Nutrition
According to the USDA, 1 cup of cooked Great Northern beans contains:
209 calories
Less than 1 gram of fat
37 grams of carbohydrate
12 grams of fiber
15 grams of protein
Health benefits
Like other legumes, Great Northern beans are low in fat and high in fiber and protein, making them an excellent addition to any diet—especially vegetarian and vegan diets due to their impressive protein content.
These beans are packed with dietary fiber, with one cup offering about 12 grams. Fiber aids digestion, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and can contribute to heart health by lowering cholesterol.
Additionally, Great Northern beans are a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, and potassium. Iron is crucial for energy production, magnesium supports muscle and nerve function, and potassium helps regulate blood pressure.
Tips for cooking
Canned or dry Great Northern beans are excellent options. Some considerations for deciding which to use include:
Soaking: If you’re using dried beans, soak them overnight to reduce cooking time and enhance digestibility.
Pressure cook: I highly recommend using an Instant Pot or other pressure cooking if cooking dry beans to save time.
Flavor Boosters: Enhance the flavor of your beans by cooking them with ingredients like garlic, onion, and herbs.
Canned Convenience: Canned Great Northern beans are a great time-saver. Just rinse them before using to reduce sodium content.
Instant Pot Great Northern Beans
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried Great Northern beans
- 3 cups water for soaking
- 2 cups water or broth for cooking
Instructions
- First, soak your Great Northern beans. Place the beans in a bowl and cover them completely with 3 cups of water. Leave them on the counter for 6-8 hours or overnight.
- Once you've soaked the Great Northern beans, drain and rinse them.
- Place the Great Northern beans in the Instant Pot and cover with 2 cups of water or broth. Add salt or any seasonings that you'd like at this point and stir to combine.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn to "sealing".
- Cook on "manual" mode for 8 minutes.
- Once finished cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 20 minutes, then turn the valve to release the rest of the pressure.
- Serve right away or store in the fridge or freezer.
Serving Great Northern beans
Great Northern beans can be used in many different recipes. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Add Great Northern beans to soups - soups are perfect this time of year!
Toss cooked Great Northern beans with chopped veggies and a vinaigrette for a refreshing bean salad.
Mix Great Northern beans into vegetarian or vegan casseroles.
Mash or blend Great Northern beans into a dip and serve with sliced veggies or crackers.
Incorporating Great Northern beans into your diet is a simple yet effective way to boost your nutrition. With their rich protein content, high fiber levels, and array of essential vitamins and minerals, these beans offer a wealth of health benefits. Whether you add them to soups, salads, or casseroles, Great Northern beans can enhance both the flavor and nutritional value of your meals. So, next time you’re up for trying a new recipe, see if you can find one that features Great Northern beans!
