You can dress up canned green beans in the Instant Pot, making a tasty side dish you can be proud of!
Instant Pot canned green beans are quick, easy, and delicious!
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I’ve been a fan of green beans ever since I was a kid.
Although it sounds a little crazy, I used to open a can of green beans and eat them cold, straight out of the can.
But my real love for green beans started at our church potluck dinners, which meant lots of southern-style comfort food dishes.
Of course, that always included southern green beans!
Over the years, I’ve learned how to make southern style green beans in the pressure cooker using frozen green beans, as well as southern style fresh green beans in the Instant Pot. I’ve also made green beans and potatoes in the Instant Pot.
I also steam fresh green beans in the Instant Pot in the summer time, bringing them to crisp-tender perfection.
The truth is, I have so many favorite Instant Pot green bean recipes!
But I’m often asked if there’s a way to cook canned green beans in the Instant Pot so they’ll taste even better–because sometimes you just need to press the easy button, right?
So today, I’m sharing how to dress up the classic from the canned goods aisle and make Instant Pot canned green beans that taste amazing!
Note: The Instant Pot pressure cooker and most other electric pressure cookers are not designed for actually canning green beans, so that’s not what I’m talking about here (you need a pressure canner for preserving your green beans that way!). This recipe is for cooking green beans from a can in your Instant Pot and making them taste amazing!
Tips for Cooking Canned Green Beans in the Instant Pot
Canned green beans aren’t terrible on their own, but they are a little lackluster.
It’s actually really easy to dress up canned green beans, though, and you can adjust according to your personal preferences.
To start, you can always add some bacon or leftover ham to your green beans–cooking these with the beans adds lots of flavor!
I like to add some diced onions to my green beans for more flavor, but if you don’t like pieces of onions, you can use onion powder instead.
You can also add salt and pepper, garlic powder, seasoning salt, etc.
The great thing about using the Instant Pot pressure cooker is that the flavors all meld together much quicker than if you were cooking on the stove top. So it will taste like these beans have simmered all day!
These are the perfect Thanksgiving Instant Pot recipe or Easter Instant Pot recipe, or to serve on a busy weekday alongside some creamy Instant Pot chicken and rice or pressure cooker chicken and dumplings!
How Long to Cook Green Beans in a Pressure Cooker
The cook time for green beans in the pressure cooker really depends on a few things: what kind of green beans you’re using (fresh, frozen, or canned), and how soft you like the beans.
For instance, when I use frozen green beans, I use a longer cook time, because those haven’t been cooked already.
But when I use canned green beans, you can get away with a shorter cook time because the beans are already fully cooked to begin with.
For this recipe of Instant Pot canned green beans, I use a cook time of just 3 minutes.
How to Make Southern Style Instant Pot Canned Green Beans
It’s really easy to make green beans that taste like they’ve been cooking all day!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Canned green beans
- Onions (or onion powder)
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Bacon or ham, if desired
How to Make It:
(Full printable recipe is available below)
Combine ingredients. First, you’ll dump the canned green beans into the insert pot of the Instant Pot.
Add in any ham or bacon, onions, and seasonings, giving everything a good stir to combine.
Pressure cook. Next, you’ll pressure cook at high pressure for 3 minutes.
Pressure release. Last, you’ll perform a quick release after the cook time is complete.
Adjust seasonings to taste and serve!
More Quick and Easy Instant Pot Side Dishes:
- Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes
- Instant Pot Potatoes and Carrots
- Instant Pot Potato Salad
- Instant Pot Ricearoni
- Instant Pot Macaroni Salad
Notes and Adaptations:
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings and add-ins according to taste. For instance, some people prefer their green beans to be saltier, others don’t. Some like onions, some don’t. This is a guideline for you to start off with, then make it your own! 🙂
- These are delicious served alongside some slow cooker country style ribs!
Recommended Equipment:
- Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker
Instant Pot Canned Green Beans
Learn how to "doctor up" canned green beans and cook them in your Instant Pot, for a flavorful and easy side dish!
Ingredients
- 28-oz can of cut green beans
- 1/2 cup diced onion OR 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- sliced/chopped bacon or ham (optional)
- 1 tsp butter (optional)
Instructions
- In the insert pot of the Instant Pot, combine green beans, onions or ponion powder, garlic powder, pepper, salt, bacon/ham and butter (if using). Stir to combine.
- Close lid and set vent to the sealed position. Select a cook time of 3 minutes at high pressure.
- After the cook time is complete, perform a quick release of pressure (you can also allow a natural release if preferred).
- Once the pressure has released and the valve has dropped, carefully remove the lid. Stir and taste, adjusting seasonings as needed.
Notes
- This recipe can be very flexible, depending on your personal tastes and preferences. For instance, some people don't like onions, but others do. Some prefer saltier green beans and others don't. Use these measurements as a starting point. If you are including ham or bacon, remember that will add some saltiness, so you may want to decrease the amount of added salt (or omit added salt all together).
- Feel free to double the recipe if you need more servings.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 180Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 774mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 7gSugar: 9gProtein: 15g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is not guaranteed for accuracy.
Joann says
Thanks so much for this recipe Chrysti! I did the Hanover canned green beans, 102 oz and adjusted the seasonings. It was perfect for me but I added just a little more salt and fresh ground pepper afterward because my husband likes a little more seasoning.
You are right, the flavors all meld together much quicker in the Instant Pot than if you were cooking on the stove top! I did some green beans on the stove last week and they were not as good.
I prefer fresh or frozen so I will be looking up more of your recipes. I love that you believe in tasty meals but not spending all day in the kitchen. That’s exactly what I need at this point in my life.
Thanks again!
Chrysti Benner says
Thank you so much for your kind words, Joann! I love hearing that you and your husband enjoyed the green beans and the ease of making them in the Instant Pot! 🙂