21 Day Fix Instant Pot Baked Beans

Soak beans Overnight Soaking Method (recommended): Place the beans, water and salt in a large container and give them a stir. Refrigerate and soak 8 hours or overnight. Quick-Soak Method: Place your beans, water and salt in your Instant Pot, stir. Cook on manual for zero minutes, let naturally release for 30 minutes. Drain beans: Using a strainer, drain your beans, then rinse well with cold water and drain again well. Make those beans!: Spray the lining of your Instant Pot with cooking spray. Press saute button and heat. Add the chopped bacon and sliced onion. Season with black pepper and cook until the onions start to cook down and the bacon has rendered a bit. Meanwhile, whisk together the water, maple syrup, tomato paste, soy sauce, and 1 Tablespoon of molasses. When the bacon and onions have finished cooking, add the sauce mixture and the drained beans to the pot. Stir well. Cook on manual for 25 minutes, naturally releasing for 20 minutes afterwards. (Note: I tested this 3 times and this cooking time was perfect each time. However, many factors, like the age of the dried beans, can affect the cooking time and it may be necessary to cook your beans longer if they  aren't fully cooked after this time). After the NPR, whisk together the remaining ingredients (molasses, mustard, vinegar, and liquid smoke, if using). Remove the lid, put your IP on saute mode and stir in the molasses mixture. Continue cooking and stirring occasionally on saute mode until the sauce thickens to your liking (Note: the sauce will continue to thicken upon standing). Serve!