Step 1

Rinse and pick over dry beans to make sure there aren’t any small pebbles or other debris.

Step 2

Optional: Soak beans by placing beans in a large bowl and filling the bowl with cool, filtered water. Cover the bowl and let it sit at room temperature for 8-12 hours. Then drain and rinse beans.

Step 3

Place black beans (soaked or unsoaked), water, onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder and pepper in Instant Pot. Stir.

Step 4

Close the Instant Pot lid and turn the steam release valve to the sealing position.

Step 5

Set the cook time using the Pressure Cook or Manual button, at high pressure:Unsoaked Beans: 25 minutes for firmer beans or 30 minutes for softer beans.Soaked Beans: 8 minutes for firmer beans or 10 minutes for softer beans.

Step 6

The Instant Pot will take about 10-15 minutes to reach pressure and then the cook time will begin counting down.

Step 7

When the cook time ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes (just leave the Instant Pot alone after the cook time ends).

Step 8

Quick release any remaining pressure by carefully moving the steam release valve to the venting position using the handle of a long spoon. Once all of the steam has escaped and the pin drops down, carefully open the Instant Pot lid.

Step 9

Stir in salt. Serve.