Instant Pot Lima Beans Recipe

Calendar icon Published: May 20th 2023 by Sarah Leadon
Clock icon Last updated: Mar 6th 2026
Read time: 5 mins
Cuisine:
This recipe, developed through the collective effort of at least 6 experts, underwent meticulous research and testing for over 3 months. Learn more about our process in the art and science behind our recipes or read how we use AI responsibly. This post may contain affiliate links. Read our Disclosure Policy.
Close up view of Instant Pot Lima Beans

This Instant Pot Lima Beans recipe offers a delightful combination of creamy texture and rich flavor, enhanced by aromatic garlic and spices. Utilizing the Instant Pot not only speeds up the cooking process but also ensures perfectly tender beans in just 40 minutes. Perfect as a hearty side dish or a satisfying main course, this dish pairs beautifully with brown rice and a fresh salad for a wholesome meal.

This recipe for Instant Pot Lima Beans combines a creamy texture with rich flavors from garlic and spices, making it a delightful addition to any meal. It's incredibly easy to prepare, taking just 40 minutes, and is perfect for meal prep or freezing. Enjoy it as a hearty side dish or a satisfying main course.

Before you start

  • Gather all ingredients and tools for efficient cooking.
  • Ensure your Instant Pot is clean and functioning properly.
  • Rinse and drain the lima beans to remove any debris.

During cooking

  • Watch for the vegetables to soften and become fragrant.
  • Look for a rich color when adding tomato paste for depth.
  • Avoid overcooking the beans to maintain their creamy texture.
  • Cook in batches if necessary to prevent overcrowding.

Make-ahead & storage

  • Prep vegetables ahead and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding broth if needed.

Common mistakes

  • Skipping the sauté step → enhances flavor and aroma significantly.
  • Not letting pressure release naturally → affects bean texture and creaminess.

Serve with

Toppings & textures

  • Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for a herby contrast.
  • A squeeze of lemon juice for brightness and acidity.

Occasions

  • Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep for the week.
  • A great dish to bring to potlucks or gatherings.

Substitutions

  • If you lack shallots, use onions for a sharper flavor and slightly different texture.
  • For a gluten-free option, ensure your vegetable broth is certified gluten-free.

Variations

  • For a Mediterranean twist, add olives and feta cheese for briny notes and creaminess.
  • Incorporate diced tomatoes for added acidity and freshness in this recipe.

Refrigerate

  • Cool completely before transferring to an airtight container.
  • Consume within 3–4 days for best quality.

Freeze

  • Freezing not recommended; the creamy texture may change upon thawing.

Reheat

  • Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally.
  • Add a splash of vegetable broth to maintain creaminess.

Repurpose ideas

  • Use in a hearty soup or stew for added protein and flavor.
  • Mix into a grain salad for a nutritious lunch option.

  • Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps sauté vegetables for enhanced flavor.
  • Shallots: Provides a mild, sweet onion flavor that elevates the dish.
  • Celery: Contributes a crunchy texture and fresh taste to the mix.
  • Red Bell Pepper: Offers sweetness and vibrant color to this recipe.
  • Garlic: Infuses aromatic depth and savory notes throughout the dish.
  • Thyme: Adds an earthy aroma and enhances the overall flavor profile.
  • Dried Dill: Provides a unique, slightly tangy flavor that complements the beans.
  • Smoked Paprika: Introduces a smoky depth and rich color to the dish.
  • Ground Cumin: Adds warmth and a hint of spice, enhancing the overall taste.
  • Ground Coriander: Offers a citrusy note that brightens the flavors in this recipe.
  • Tomato Paste: Acts as a thickener while adding richness and acidity to balance flavors.
  • Dried Lima Beans: The star ingredient, providing creaminess and heartiness to the dish.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances all flavors, ensuring a well-seasoned final dish.
  • Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and depth to the overall flavor profile.
  • Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth: Serves as the cooking liquid, infusing beans with savory flavor.

How long does it take to cook raw beans in an Instant Pot?

It takes 30 minutes to cook unsoaked beans and 15 minutes to cook soaked beans in an Instant Pot. 
 

Do dry beans need to be soaked for Instant Pot?

The beans will cook quickly, so there's no need to soak beans before cooking them in an Instant Pot. Also, the beans will not split apart as much if they aren't washed.
 

Can I add baking soda to beans while cooking?

Yes, you can add one teaspoon of baking powder to the water for every cup of dry beans you are cooking. However, since the beans are being cooked in the instant pot, they will cook relatively fast. Therefore, you may not need to add baking soda to the beans. 
 

What to do if you forgot to soak beans overnight?

If you forget to soak beans overnight, place them into a pot and add enough cold water to cover them. Place the beans over high heat and let them come to a boil. Cook the beans for 5 minutes, remove them from the heat, and let them soak covered for 1 hour. Drain the beans and cook them according to the recipe instructions. 
 

Author: Sarah Leadon
Rate
Average: 5 (4 votes)
Total rating includes sum of all comments and anonymous votes.

Click to avoid screen dimming during cooking.

Time & Serves

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
41 mins
Total Time
56 mins
Serves
4 persons

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil

  • 3 Shallots, diced

  • 1 stalk Celery, diced

  • 1 medium Red Bell Pepper, diced

  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced

  • 2 sprigs Thyme

  • 1/2 teaspoon Dried Dill

  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika

  • 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin

  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Coriander

  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste

  • 2 cups Dried Lima Beans, picked through, rinsed

  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

  • 4 cups Low-Sodium Vegetable Broth

Instructions

Place olive oil into the Instant Pot and select the sauté function.

Prepare instant pot for sautéing

Add shallots, celery, and red bell pepper, and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft.

Sautéing shallots, celery and bell pepper

Add garlic, thyme, dill, smoked paprika, cumin, and coriander, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Mixing in garlic, dill, paprika, cumin and coriander

Add tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.

Mixing in tomato paste

Add lima beans, salt, black pepper, and vegetable broth.

Mixing lima beans, salt, pepper and broth.

Select cancel and place the lid on top of the Instant Pot.

Placing instant pot cover

Turn the vent to sealing and select the manual setting. Cook lima beans for 25 minutes.

Cooking the Instant Pot Lima Beans

Let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes before removing the lid from the instant pot.

Cooling down the instant pot

Select the sauté function and cook lima beans for 5–10 minutes until they reach your desired thickness.

Cooking for another 10 minutes
Sarah Leadon
Author:
Senior Recipe Developer & Food Writer

More posts by Sarah Leadon

Unlock Exclusive Recipes & More! 🔓

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest recipes, holiday specials, and mouthwatering secrets!

Subscribe

Add new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.