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+ servings
Instant Pot refried beans in a bowl.
5 from 16 votes

Instant Pot Refried Beans


Course side
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
4 cups
How to make Instant Pot refried beans with this easy refried beans recipe. Learn how to make vegetarian and traditional refried beans for a classic Mexican staple.

Equipment

  • 1 Instant Pot

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounce dry pinto beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, medium minced
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoon oregano
  • 2 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • 2 tablespoon lard (optional for traditional refried beans)

Instructions

  • Set Instant Pot to sauté. Add oil. When the Instant Pot is hot, add the onions and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent.
    diced onions in instant pot
  • Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
    Onion and spices in instant pot.
  • Add the cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper (optional). Stir to combine and coat the onions and garlic with the spices.
    Spatula stirring ingredients in instant pot.
  • Add some of the broth and scrape anything stuck to the bottom of the pot. Add remaining broth, water, beans. Stir until well combined. Turn off Instant Pot (on some models you do this by pushing Cancel).
    broth, water and beans added to instant pot with spices
  • Put the lid on the Instant Pot and lock. Set it to the sealing position. In manual or high pressure mode, set for 40 minutes. The Instant Pot will take about 15 minutes to pressurize before the 40 minutes begin.
  • Once done, allow the pressure to naturally release for 20 minutes. Then carefully release any additional steam by turning the release valve to the release position. Remove the lid.
  • Drain the beans, reserving the cooking liquid.
    beans cooked and drained
  • For vegetarian beans, return the beans to the pot. Add ½ cup of the cooking liquid and use a potato masher to mash the beans until they’re the consistency you want. If you want, you can use an immersion blender for pureéd beans. Add additional cooking liquid for thinner beans. Beans will thicken up after sitting.
    Scooping out liquid in refried beans.
  • For traditional beans, turn Instant Pot to sauté setting. Add 2 tablespoons of lard or oil. When hot, return beans to pot. Sauté beans for a couple minutes. Stir in ½ cup of cooking liquid. Mash the beans with a potato masher or pureé with an immersion blender. Add more liquid, if desired. Beans will thicken after sitting.
    Potato masher mashing refried beans.
  • Serve. Top with crumbled queso blanco (white Mexican cheese) and cilantro. Or add sliced jalapeños, diced tomato and avocado.
    Bowl of refried beans.

Notes

  • Make sure your sealing ring is in place before putting on the Instant Pot lid.
  • You can increase or decrease any of the spices to your liking. For spicier beans, add more cayenne pepper.

Nutrition

Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 1929mg | Potassium: 1741mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1482IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 8mg

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