Instant Pot Refried Beans

Name: Instant Pot Refried Beans
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 24
Ingredients: 2 pounds dried pinto beans, sorted (roughly 4-5 cups, I use 5 cups); 1 1/2 cups chopped onion; 4-5 garlic cloves, roughly chopped; 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening (or bacon grease or lard for non-vegan); 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for non-vegan); 4 cups water; 1-2 teaspoons sea salt

May 30, 2023 · 183 Comments

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Instant Pot Refried Beans are a staple in our kitchen. They are creamy and satisfying yet affordable and freeze well. So whether you're in the mood for bean burritos, nachos, or a hearty bean dip, having a stash of fresh or frozen refried beans at your disposal means you can whip up a delicious meal in no time.

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Why You'll Love Instant Pot Refried Beans

Time-Saving Magic- Traditionally a time-consuming process, making refried beans is now a breeze with the Instant Pot. Gone are the hours spent soaking and simmering beans on the stove. Pressure cooking drastically reduces cooking time, allowing you to enjoy flavorful refried beans in a fraction of the time.
Affordability- Beans are an economical source of protein and essential nutrients, making them a budget-friendly option. Using the Instant Pot, you can transform a simple bag of dried beans into a substantial batch of refried beans that can feed a crowd without breaking the bank.

If you love Instant Pot recipes, try Instant Pot coconut yogurt, Instant Pot chuck roast, Instant Pot steel cut oats, and Instant Pot white chicken chili.

What Are Refried Beans?

Refried beans are a classic Mexican dish traditionally made from cooked pinto or black beans. The beans are then mashed and sautéed in fat or oil until they become smooth and creamy.

Serve them with any Mexican-inspired meal - rice bowls, burritos, quesadillas, or nachos!

Crowd Pleasing Instant Pot Pulled Pork with Dry Rub Recipe

Refried Beans Recipe Ingredients

To make this recipe, you'll need:

Pinto Beans- This Mexican refried beans recipe requires dried pinto beans - no need to soak them overnight. The Instant Pot utilizes high-pressure steam to cook food quickly. This intense pressure breaks down the tough fibers in beans, resulting in soft and tender beans in a fraction of the time it takes using conventional cooking methods.
Onion- A popular addition to refried beans as they provide a savory and slightly sweet flavor.
Garlic- Has a distinctive aroma and flavor, often described as sharp, aromatic, and savory.
Jalapeño- Jalapeños are commonly used in refried beans to introduce a mild to moderate heat level. You can omit the jalapeño if you don't care for the spice or add more to make it spicier.
Spices- Cumin, oregano, and black pepper enhance the overall taste. Cumin adds a warm and earthy flavor, while oregano contributes an herbal note.
Shortening, Lard, or Bacon Grease- Fat gives these beans a smooth creaminess.
Vegetable Broth- Broth adds moisture and infuses the beans with a savory flavor. You can also substitute chicken broth.
Sea Salt- Salt is a crucial ingredient in refried beans as it enhances and balances the flavors. It helps bring out the natural taste of the beans and other ingredients.

How To Make Instant Pot Pinto Beans

Now that you have the ingredients gathered, this is the method you'll follow:

Sort and rinse the dried pinto beans, and add them to the Instant Pot bowl.
Add the chopped onion, garlic cloves, jalapeno, dried oregano, ground cumin, black pepper, shortening, vegetable broth, and water. It's okay if the shortening is in a solid lump. The fat will melt when the Instant Pot reaches pressure/temperature.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the steam release valve to sealing. Set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to come down from pressure naturally, which takes about 40 minutes.
When the pressure is finally released, open the lid of the Instant Pot and add sea salt to taste. Use an immersion blender to blend the beans to the desired consistency. The beans will appear soupy, but they will thicken as they cool.

How To Serve Homemade Refried Beans

You can serve refried beans with any Mexican-inspired dish. Here are some of our favorites:

Burritos
Nachos
Quesadillas
Rice Bowls
Tacos- My favorite taco is an almond flour tortilla topped with refried beans, Instant Pot pulled pork, thinly sliced cabbage, avocado, jalapeno, and fresh lime juice.
Enchiladas- Substitute Instant Pot refried beans for the black beans in this tasty gluten-free enchilada casserole!

Storage + Freezing

Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and consume within 5 days.

To freeze, make beans per recipe instructions and cool completely - portion into gallon or quart-sized resealable freezer bags. Gently remove as much air from the bags as you possibly can. Store in the freezer flat (this way, they stack). Place a frozen bag of beans in a large baking dish or bowl with hot water to thaw within 10 minutes.

This recipe was originally published in January 2016. Blog post and recipe card updated to include better instructions and notes in May 2023.

Did you make this recipe? If you did, please give it a star rating and leave a review or comment below! And remember to take a pic and share it on social! Tag @allergyfreeak or #allergyfreealaska on Instagram!