Instant Pot pinto beans are the easiest way to cook pinto beans! This simple recipe lets you cook pinto beans with almost no effort.

Pinto beans in a white dish.

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 in a mesh sieve.
  • Pinto beans: One pound of dried pinto beans is approximately 2 to 2-1/4 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. 

Uncooked pinto beans in an Instant Pot inner pot.

Step 2: Add the beans to the Instant Pot inner pot. 

Water and onion on top of beans in an instant 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. 

A black spoon lifting beans out of an Instant Pot.

Step 6: Add additional seasoning as desired. Drain or serve with bean broth.

Overhead photo of a white dish of pinto beans with a spoon in it.

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.
A white bowl of pinto beans next to an instant pot inner pot.

Recipe FAQs

Do I have to soak the beans before cooking?

No, it takes longer to cook unsoaked beans, but it isn’t necessary to soak the beans before cooking.

Can I 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.

Can I freeze the cooked 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.

Recipes that go well with pinto beans!

If you’ve tried this Instant Pot pinto bean recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!

You can follow me on Pinterest or Facebook even more delicious food.

Pinto beans in a white dish.
5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Pinto Beans

Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Pressure Release: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Easy, no-soak Instant Pot Pinto Bean recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dry pinto beans about 2 cups
  • 6 cups water
  • 1/2 cups diced white or yellow onion
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 161mg | Potassium: 805mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 3mg

Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Instant Pot pinto bean recipes, Instant Pot pinto beans

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Pinto beans in a white dish.

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