Instant Pot pinto beans are the easiest way to cook pinto beans! This simple recipe lets you cook pinto beans with almost no effort.
Cooking beans is a great way to stretch your budget! Dried pinto beans are inexpensive, full of fiber and protein, and they can be used in any number of ways.
This easy recipe lets you make Instant Pot pinto beans with almost no effort. Cooking pinto beans in the electric pressure cooker can be a bit of art and a bit of science. I've included tips below to help you make adjustments as needed.
Ingredients
- Pinto beans: One pound of dried pinto beans is approximately 2 to 2-¼ cups of pinto beans.
- Water: To make more flavorful beans, feel free to substitute chicken broth or vegetable broth in place of the water.
- Onion: White or yellow onion works well in this recipe.
- Salt: Add additional salt and pepper to taste after cooking.
- Pepper
How to make Instant Pot pinto beans
Step 1: Rinse beans and pick over to remove any pebbles.
Step 2: Add the beans to the Instant Pot inner pot.
Step 3: Pour the water over the beans and then add the onion, salt, and pepper.
Step 4: Close and lock the lid. Make sure the pressure release valve is set to sealing. Press manual high pressure and adjust the time to 45 minutes.
Step 5: Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. Turn the pressure release valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.
Step 6: Add additional seasoning as desired. Drain or serve with bean broth.
Tips
- Bean age matters! The age of the beans will make a difference with the cooking time. Older beans needs a longer cooking time. You can also add a bit of baking soda to the cooking liquid to help soften the beans.
- Altitude matters! If you live at a higher altitude, you may need to add additional cooking time.
- If the beans are too hard, you can pressure cook the beans for an additional 5 minutes or sauté until they reach the desired consistency.
- If the sauce is too watery for you, there are a few options.
- You can take about a cup of beans out of the pot, mash, and then stir back into the beans.
- Or you could sauté the beans (with the lid off) for about 15-20 minutes to let some of the liquid evaporate.
Recipe FAQs
No, it takes longer to cook unsoaked beans, but it isn't necessary to soak the beans before cooking.
Sure! If you'd prefer to soak the beans, reduce the cooking time to about 15-18 minutes depending on altitude and age of the beans.
You can! Let the beans cool to room temperature before placing the beans in a resealable freezer-safe container and freezing.
Variations
I like to season the beans after cooking to adjust the seasoning to the way that I'll be using them. Here are a few ideas:
- Pinto bean seasoning
- Oregano, cumin, and chili powder
- Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder
Serving suggestions
The beans can be served in any number of ways. They can be used in any way that you would use pinto beans - to make refried beans, as a side, in burritos, or any other way!
Storage
Any leftover beans should be stored in an airtight resealable container in the refrigerator. The beans will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored in the fridge.
Instant Pot Pinto Beans
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry pinto beans about 2 cups
- 6 cups water
- ½ cups diced white or yellow onion
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse beans and pick over to remove any pebbles.
- Add the beans to the Instant Pot inner pot.
- Pour the water over the beans and then add the onion, salt, and pepper.
- Close and lock the lid. Make sure the pressure release valve is set to sealing.
- Press manual high pressure and adjust the time to 45 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes.
- Turn the pressure release valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.
- Drain or serve with bean broth.
- Add additional seasoning as desired.
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