For as much as I had resisted the Instant Pot, it’s quickly become a weeknight dinner lifesaver over these past few weeks. Perhaps the novelty will wear off at some point, but for now I’m going with it. Recent IP dinners have been these pork carnitas, chana masala (from Melissa Clark’s Dinner in an Instant), and several bean soups with a hodge podge of ingredients from the fridge. Since getting an Instant Pot, I’ve relied a lot less on canned beans and have stocked my pantry full of a variety of dried beans. Starting with dried beans gives them the chance to season as they cook, giving them a flavor and depth that I miss when I use canned beans.
These garlicky beans also come inspired from Melissa Clark’s book for the instant pot. A generous amount of garlic is simmered along with the beans, and then thin slivers of garlic are fried in olive oil for a crunchy garnish. I swapped in broccolini in for the suggested broccoli rabe, and sprinkled toasted panko on top for an extra bit of contrast and texture. The onions and broccolini get sautéed in the garlic oil while the beans cook, and if the beans are pre-soaked, dinner can be on the table in less than an hour.
I’m still experimenting, but I’ve read that using pre-soaked beans helps the beans keep their shape, while unsoaked beans have a tendency to fall apart. Soaking might require a little extra planning, but only takes an extra minute so I like pre-soaking, but I’m curious to know your thoughts on this? Leave a comment below and let me know if you’ve noticed a difference!
PrintInstant Pot Garlicky White Beans with Broccolini and Toasted Panko Crumbs
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried cannellini beans, soaked overnight (if desired)
- 7 garlic cloves: 4 smashed, 3 thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 large sprig rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 carrot, trimmed
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 12 ounces broccolini, ends trimmed
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, combine the beans, 7 cups of water, 4 smashed garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 teaspoons salt. Add the rosemary, bay leaf, and carrot. Cover and cook on high pressure for 9 minutes. (25 minutes if beans have not been soaked) Allow pressure to release naturally for at least 20 minutes. If beans are not done, cook uncovered for another few minutes using the saute function.
- While beans are cooking, heat the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic slices, a pinch of salt, and saute until garlic turns light golden, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer all but 1 tablespoon of oil to a small bowl and set aside.
- Return skillet with oil to stove, add the panko crumbs, and stir to evenly coat. Saute crumbs in the skillet until they are lightly toasted and golden. Transfer to small bowl and set aside.
- Return skillet to stove once again and increase the heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of the garlic oil. Add the onion and cook until onion begins to brown, about 6-7 minutes. Increase heat to high and stir in the broccolini, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and red pepper flakes. Add 1/4 cup water to the skillet and cook until water has been absorbed and broccolini is tender to the bite, stirring frequently .
- When beans are finished cooking, remove rosemary, bay leaf, and carrot from the cooking liquid. Drain beans, reserving liquid for another use. To serve, portion beans into shallow bowls or plates and gently toss with broccolini and onions. Drizzle with garlic oil and sprinkle with toasted panko.
Notes
adapted from Melissa Clark’s Dinner in an Instant
Jolene says
What a delightful dish! Cayou share how long the beans should be presoaked? Thank you.
Emily says
Hi Jolene, I would soak for at least 6 hours or overnight. Hope this helps!
Aysegul Sanford says
You are way ahead of my my friend. Sadly, I still feel so intimidated by my IP. Though I have to say, I am SO encouraged to follow your lead as this dish looks superb. Such a healthy and wholesome meal that I could never say no to.
Hope all is well. Cheers!
★★★★★
Emily says
It took me so long to come around on the IP! Which model do you have? I have the ultra, but the only function I use is the pressure button and I just manually enter in the cook times. So many buttons make it confusing, but once you start using it I think you’ll love it. So good to hear from you, Ayse! I’m making your ramen tonight! Love and hugs. xo
laurel says
I am still a hold out on the insta pot. The few meals I’ve had a friends are watery and too salty. I do use a Ninja slow cooker every week tho. It has a stove top setting for browning and saute’ so it’s really easy. Dry beans seem to do fine in it. Always love your recipes and think I can tweak them for other than IP for now.
Emily says
Hi Laurel! Agree that it’s hard to season as you go since it’s all locked up as it cooks, but the watery problem can be fixed with cooking on saute for several minutes at the end until some of the liquid evaporates. Although certainly recipes can be tweaked for stovetop as well. 🙂 Hope you are well, friend!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I love the combination of ingredients here Emily! Such a comforting winter dish.
Caitlin says
Sounds so delicious! I love the combo of creamy, fresh, and crunchy here… genius!!
Albert Bevia says
This looks insanely good! anything with that amount of garlic cloves is always a winner in my books!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
This recipe is absolutely the scrumptious flavors and textures you’ve pulled together, and the breadcrumbs are like icing on the cake! Well done Emily! No IP for me. I’m going to use what I have on hand already… and remember to soak those beans (thank you for that!).
Leslie says
Looks like a lovely dish! Speaking of lovely – I’m in love with your plate set used in this pic. Can you please share the manufacturer or where you bought it? Much thanks!
Emily says
Thank you, Leslie! The plate is made by heath ceramics- I absolutely love everything I’ve ordered from them. You can order directly from their website. The plate you see here is the dinner plate from the heath coupe line in cocoa fawn. Hope this helps!