These Instant Pot Pinto Beans are so incredibly easy and so delicious! Perfect on all your favorite Mexican dishes and there is no need to even soak them!
These vegan beans are a perfect source of high quality protein and fiber for vegetarians and vegans.
A personal confession. I have never had good luck cooking dry beans in a Dutch oven. No matter how long I soaked and hot long I cooked the beans, they never got evenly tender. Even after soaking, I can never get the beans an even tenderness.
I have had luck cooking dry beans in the slow cooker, which turn out beautifully but never in a Dutch oven on the stovetop.
Why should you try this recipe?
- Uses only a few ingredients.
- Incredibly easy.
- No soaking of the beans is required, saving many hours.
- Can be made in 30 minutes.
- Great source of protein and fiber.
- Can be made vegan.
Should beans be soaked first?
Although this recipe will teach you how to make the beans without soaking first, you can soak the beans, if you prefer.
Soak beans for at least 8 hours (or overnight). After soaking, drain the beans and use clean water to proceed with the recipe. Some folks claim that soaking the beans first may make them easier to digest.
If you soak the beans first, they will only require 15 minutes of cooking time.
What you need
- dried pinto beans
- onion
- mild chili pepper (like poblano) you can substitute canned green chiles for the fresh pepper.
- generous amount of salt
- black pepper
- bay leaf
- water or any kind of broth
How to make them
- Chop vegetables.
- Clean beans removing any stones or foreign objects.
- Add unsoaked beans, vegetables, spices to Instant pot. Add a generous amount of salt. If you don’t add salt at the beginning the beans will be bland. Adding salt after they cook is not adequate.
- Add water, vegetable stock or chicken or beef stock, if not making the recipe vegan.
- Turn valve to sealing mode. Set Instant pot to pressure cook, high pressure. Set timer to 30 minutes. When cycle is done, allow the pressure cooker to do a natural release (leave it alone for about 10 minutes.) Once the float valve goes down, release remaining pressure manually.
NOTE: Instant pot will take approximately 10 minutes to pressurize and 10 minutes to depressurize.
How to serve beans
Beans can be enjoyed with the broth, or drain liquid and serve as a side.
Use the beans to make vegan or vegetarian tacos, tostadas, burritos, enchiladas or taquitos.
Add the beans to your favorite meat tacos for some added high protein, no cholesterol addition.
Use the beans for Spanish rice and beans.
Use an immersion blender or potato masher to mash the beans into “refried beans”. Drain most of the cooking liquid. Adding some of the cooking liquid back to the beans. I like to leave some of the beans whole to add to the texture of the dish.
Traditional refried beans, frijoles refritos are made by adding the cooked beans to a frying pan with a bit of fat (traditionally lard). Then mashed with a potato masher. Add some of the cooking liquid back to the beans, as needed. They are delicious either way.
Suggested toppings
- thinly slice green onion
- diced hot peppers
- salsa
- grated cheese
- chopped cilantro or parsley
- sour cream or creme fraiche
- crumbled cotija or queso fresco cheese
Storing leftover beans
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, place in bags or containers in the freezer for up to 2 months.
More easy Instant Pot recipes
These instant pot pinto beans are so fast and easy. Make them for dinner tonight!
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I hope you enjoyed the recipe today!
Enjoy. And have fun cooking!
📖 Recipe
Instant pot Pinto Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pinto beans
- 1 poblano pepper
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 5 cups water
Instructions
- Rinse and sort beans removing any foreign pieces.1 pound dried pinto beans
- Chop vegetables.1 poblano pepper, 1 onion, diced, 2 cloves garlic
- Add beans, vegetables and spices to Instant pot.1 bay leaf, 2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon Pepper, 5 cups water
- Add water.
- Set instant pot to pressure cook on high pressure. Set timer for 30 minutes.
- Once the cooking cycle is done, allow the pressure cooker to slow release for about 10 minutes. (Leave the cooker alone). Once the float valve depresses, release additional pressure manually.
- See below for serving suggestions.
Sara Welch
Not only was this incredibly easy, but made an excellent side dish that is easy on the wallet and the waistline to boot! Loved it!
Beth Neels
Thanks so much Sara! I really appreciate your comment!
Sarah Holt
Could eat these with a spoon! So so good!!
Beth Neels
I’ve been known to eat them with a spoon. Thanks Sarah!
Lauren Vavala
The instant pot is so amazing. What an easy way to make pinto beans perfectly – great recipe!
Beth Neels
Thanks so much Lauren. I’m glad you liked the recipe!
Jamie
Oh I love this recipe already! I love how I don’t need to soak the beans, such a huge time saver!
Beth Neels
I know. I hate soaking beans too. Thanks for checking out the recipe Jamie!
Diana Reis
I hate soaking beans! This recipe is perfect for our busy family and everyone loves them.
Beth Neels
I agree I have never had good luck cooking them on the stovetop. Thanks Diana!