How to Make Frontier Soups in a Pressure Cooker: Instant Pot Soup Tips & Recipes

So you received an Instant Pot for Christmas (or treated yourself to one)? Congratulations! What’s the first thing you should make? Soup, of course!

At Frontier Soups, we’ve been testing and perfecting pressure cooker recipe adaptations for six of our most popular bean soup mixes. Cooking bean soup in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker can save time and create deeply flavorful results. For our tests, we used a six-quart Instant Pot, but these directions generally apply to other electric or stovetop pressure cookers too.

Why Soak Beans Before Pressure Cooking?

We always recommend soaking beans before pressure cooking (4–8 hours or overnight). Soaked beans cook more evenly, develop better texture, and reduce the chance of split skins.

If you’re in a hurry and can’t soak, add about 10 extra minutes to the pressure cooking time to ensure the beans soften fully.

Quick Tips for Making Soup in Your Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker

✔ Don’t overfill:
Most pressure cookers shouldn’t be filled beyond 2/3 of capacity (and even less for foods that expand, like beans). Aim for halfway to two-thirds full for best results.

✔ Use natural release for beans:
Allow the pressure to come down naturally for at least 10–15 minutes. Quick release can cause beans to burst and soup to foam.

✔ Build flavor with sauté mode:
For soups with aromatics, use the sauté function first to brown sausage, onions, garlic, or spices. This quick step deepens the soup’s flavor.

✔ Adjust seasoning at the end:
Pressure cooking can slightly mute flavors, so taste your soup after cooking and adjust salt, herbs, or a splash of vinegar for brightness.

✔ Add tender greens last:
If you like adding spinach, kale, or fresh herbs, stir them in after pressure cooking. The residual heat will wilt greens perfectly without overcooking.

✔ Stovetop pressure cookers:
These generally reach higher pressure and may cook 5–10 minutes faster than electric models like the Instant Pot. Check beans early to avoid overcooking.

Frontier Soups Pressure Cooker Adaptations

Click on any soup mix below for detailed Instant Pot / pressure cooker instructions:

• California Gold Rush White Bean Chili

• Dakota Territory Beef Barley Bean Stew

• Indiana Harvest Sausage Lentil Soup

• Michigan Ski Country Chili

• Minnesota Heartland 11-Bean Soup

• Nebraska Barnraising Split Pea Soup

We’ve also included a guide for making Homemade Chicken Stock in your pressure cooker—perfect for adding even more depth to your soup creations.

Final Tips for Success

• Add acidic ingredients later: Tomatoes, wine, or vinegar can slow bean softening. Pressure cook beans first, then add acidic ingredients and simmer briefly.

• Deglaze well after sautéing: Use a splash of broth or water to scrape up browned bits. This prevents the “burn” warning on Instant Pots.

• Store and reheat carefully: Pressure-cooked soups taste even better the next day! Store in airtight containers and gently reheat.

Cooking Frontier Soups mixes in your Instant Pot or pressure cooker brings homemade flavor together with modern convenience.

Enjoy faster cook times without sacrificing quality and let every bowl taste slow-simmered!