Step-by-Step Guide on how to make Instant Pot Refried Beans from scratch with a few healthy pantry ingredients. Easy refried beans instant pot recipe using no soak method. These creamy rich homemade refried beans are great as a tasty side dish, dip, topping, or filling for your Mexican meal.
What are refried beans?
Refried Beans, frijoles refritos, is a classic favorite Mexican and Tex-Mex mashed beans dish.
These creamy refried beans are often served on the side to complement a Mexican meal. You can also spread it onto a tortilla to make tasty burritos, enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, or tostadas. Others have enjoyed it as delicious dips or on nachos. Yum!
Instant Pot Refried Beans
When making homemade refried beans, some people like to cut short the cooking time and hassle by using canned beans.
But with our refried beans Instant Pot recipe, making creamy refried beans from scratch with dried beans is easy!
No Canned Beans . No Soaking . No Standing by the Stove
We love how these refried beans come out creamy smooth like a hearty thick spread with a satisfying mouthfeel.
We tested 2 mashing methods with these pressure cooker refried beans. So you can customize it to your desired thickness and texture:
- With Potato Masher: yields a coarser, chunky paste
- With Immersion Blender: yields a thick, fluffy, more creamy smooth paste – smooth like thick peanut butter spread with a satisfying texture
If you’re looking to make refried beans with bacon, try our Loaded Refried Beans.
How to Make Instant Pot Refried Beans
Prepare ingredients for making refried beans in Instant Pot.
Pinto Beans
We crafted this refried beans Instant Pot recipe with dried beans. Plus, you can make refried beans from scratch without soaking the beans.
Prepare by picking, rinsing, and draining the beans, then you’re good to go!
- Substitute with Black Beans: If you’re substituting the pinto beans with black beans, pressure cook at High Pressure for 50 minutes, then Natural Release.
- Soaked Pinto Beans: If you like to soak your pinto beans, remember to drain them really well. You can use the same amount of cooking liquid and pressure cook at High Pressure for 22 minutes, then Natural Release.
Olive Oil vs. Bacon Fat vs. Lard
We tested different batches of refried beans in Instant Pot with Olive Oil vs. Bacon Fat. The bacon fat added a tasty hint of smoky aroma and flavor to the refried beans.
- Vegan or Vegetarian Option: You can use olive oil to make vegetarian or vegan refried beans.
Other Ingredients
Chili Powder: You can adjust the spicy level by using more or less chili powder in your refried beans.
- For a hint of spiciness: use ½ tsp chili powder
- For mild spicy: use 1 tsp chili powder
Unsalted Chicken Stock: We develop recipes with unsalted ingredients so we can better control the flavors. If you’re substituting with salted chicken stock, keep in mind that the sodium level can vary a lot between different brands. Always taste and adjust accordingly.
- Vegan or Vegetarian Option: You can substitute the unsalted chicken stock with vegetable stock.
Cumin: We like to freshly ground our cumin seeds with a mortar and pestle because the flavors are more intense and fresh. But you can use store-bought ground cumin seeds to make these pressure cooker refried beans.
Tools for Refried Beans Instant Pot Recipe
Saute Onion, Spices, and Garlic
First, press “Saute” button to “Sauté More” function to heat up your Instant Pot.
Note: It’ll switch to “ON” on the screen.
Wait until it says “HOT” on the screen (takes roughly 8 minutes).
Now, add 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil, bacon fat, or lard in Instant Pot.
Add roughly diced onions in Instant Pot, then cook until softened (takes roughly 3 minutes).
Add ½ to 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, and minced garlic in the Instant Pot. Then, cook for another minute until fragrant.
- For a Hint of Spiciness: use ½ tsp chili powder
- For Mild Spicy: use 1 tsp chili powder
Deglaze Instant Pot
Pour ½ cup (125ml) unsalted chicken stock into Instant Pot.
Then, completely deglaze the bottom of the pot by scrubbing the brown bits with a wooden spoon. Keep the brown bits because they are very flavorful. Give it a quick mix.
Pressure Cook Refried Beans
Add the well-drained pinto beans in Instant Pot, then pour in the remaining 3½ cups (875ml) unsalted chicken stock.
With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.
Pressure Cooking Methods:
- Option 1 – For Tender with a Bite Pinto Beans: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 40 minutes, then Natural Release for 25 minutes
- Option 2 – For Silky Smooth & Tender Pinto Beans: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 50 minutes, then Natural Release for 25 minutes
After 25 minutes of Natural Releasing, carefully turn the Venting Knob to Venting Position to release the remaining pressure.
Once the Floating Valve drops, remove the lid.
Drain Beans Liquid
Strain the beans liquid with a strainer. Place the pinto beans back in the Instant Pot.
Then, reserve the pinto beans liquid in a mixing bowl.
Mash Beans
Make Instant Pot Refried Beans by mashing the pinto beans with a potato masher or immersion blender until desired consistency.
Taste and season the pressure cooker refried beans with salt. For reference, we used 4 pinches of salt.
Add the drained beans liquid back to the refried beans in instant pot until desired consistency.
Garnish & Serve Instant Pot Refried Beans
Give the homemade refried beans a final taste, then garnish.
You can garnish it with feta cheese for some umami cheesy flavors, sliced green onions refreshing crunch, diced tomatoes and squeeze of lime to brighten up the colors and flavors, plus a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh cilantro.
If you want an extra spicy kick, garnish the refried beans with some jalapeno.
What to Serve with Refried Beans
There are many ways you can serve these deliciously creamy Instant Pot Refried Beans!
Craft a Mexican one plate meal by serving refried beans as a side dish with rice or Mexican rice, with protein like Instant Pot Chili Verde or Instant Pot Salsa Chicken, and veggies or Homemade Salsa.
These creamy smooth refried beans also make a tasty party dip or topping for your nachos.
You can also spread it over a tortilla with some Instant Pot black beans to make yummy burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, tacos, tostadas, and more!
Or you can serve refried beans on the side with some tasty tacos like Birria Tacos, Instant Pot Carnitas, Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef, or Instant Pot Chicken Tacos.
You may also enjoy an epic Mexican feast and make some tasty Mexican Street Corn, and Arroz con Leche!
How long are homemade refried beans good for?
You can safely store these homemade refried beans in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
Storage: Let the refried beans cool to room temperature, place them in an airtight container, then store them in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze refried beans?
Yes! You can freeze homemade refried beans into smaller serving portions for later. If stored properly with completely sealed air-tight freezer storage containers or freezer bags, they can keep well in the freezer for a few months.
Freezing: Let the refried beans cool to room temperature, then place them in freezer storage containers or freezer bags. With freezer bags, try to remove as much air as possible, then lay them flat in the freezer to freeze.
When you’re ready to serve the refried beans, thaw them in the refrigerator, then reheat and enjoy~
Enjoy your Creamy Instant Pot Refried Beans!
Instant Pot Refried Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454g) pinto beans , rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil, bacon fat, or lard
- 1 (323g) large onion , roughly diced
- ½ - 1 teaspoon (1.3g - 2.7g) chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon (2.7g) ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon (1.1g) dried oregano
- 4 cloves (13.7g) garlic , minced
- 4 cups (1L) unsalted chicken stock (vegan option: use vegetable stock)
- Salt to taste
Optional Garnish:
- Cilantro , roughly chopped
- Jalapeno , sliced or diced
- Green onions , chopped
- Tomatoes , diced
- Lime , sliced or lime wedges
- Feta cheese
Equipment
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Instructions
- Saute Onion, Spices, and Garlic: Press “Saute” button to “Sauté More” function to heat up your Instant Pot. Wait until it says "HOT". Add in 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil, bacon fat, or lard. Add in roughly diced onion, then cook until softened. Add in ½ to 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, and minced garlic. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze: Pour ½ cup (125ml) unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot. Completely deglaze the bottom of the pot by scrubbing the brown bits with a wooden spoon. Keep the brown bits because they're very flavorful. Give it a quick mix.
- Pressure Cook Beans: Add in well-drained pinto beans and remaining 3½ cups (875ml) unsalted chicken stock. Make sure all the pinto beans are submerged in the cooking liquid.With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.Pressure Cooking Methods:Option 1 - Tender with a Bite Pinto Beans: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 40 minutes, then Natural Release for 25 minutesOption 2 - Silky Smooth & Tender Pinto Beans: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 50 minutes, then Natural Release for 25 minutes
- Drain Beans Liquid: Carefully open the lid. Strain beans liquid with a strainer. Place beans back in Instant Pot. Keep the beans liquid in a mixing bowl.
- Mash Beans: Make refried beans by mashing the beans with a potato masher or immersion blender until desired consistency. Potato Masher: yields a coarser, chunky paste. Immersion Blender: yields a thick and more creamy smooth paste.Taste and season with salt. For reference, we used 4 pinches of salt. Adjust the thickness by adding the drained beans liquid back to the refried beans until your desired consistency.
- Garnish & Serve: Give it a final taste, then garnish with your favorite toppings. Serve & enjoy~ 🙂
Notes
- Substitute with Black Beans: Pressure cook black beans at High Pressure for 50 minutes, then Natural Release.
- Using Soaked Pinto Beans: Remember to drain them really well. Use the same amount of cooking liquid and pressure cook at High Pressure for 22 minutes, then Natural Release.
- For a hint of spiciness: use ½ tsp chili powder
- For mild spicy: use 1 tsp chili powder
- Potato Masher: yields a coarser, chunky paste
- Immersion Blender: yields a thick, fluffy, more creamy smooth paste
Nutrition
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