Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe {no soaking, vegan}

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Instant Pot Refried Beans – the best refried beans made with dry pinto beans, no soaking required. Flavorful, creamy and done in under 1 hour! So much better than canned beans!

The Instant Pot is my go-to for cooking beans. My Instant Pot Black Beans are done in under 30 minutes!

Cooking beans in my Instant Pot is truly life-changing. No more canned beans! You can easily cook them in your electric pressure cooker, no soaking needed. Refried beans start with dry pinto beans, sauteed onion, garlic and spices. Add vegetable stock and water and let the Instant Pot do its magic. Once done, all you need to do is mash them to desired consistency.

Step by step instructions:

Making refried beans in the Instant Pot could not be easier. All you need is onion, garlic, spices, pinto beans and water or water/stock combo.

Step 1: saute onion, garlic and spices

This is when you create the flavor for the beans. Sautee onions, garlic and spices in olive oil. This activates the spices and will ensure the beans are delicious!

Step 2: add beans and liquid

Add 1/2 cup of stock or water and deglaze the bottom of the pot, which means you need to scrape any cooked on bits from the bottom of the pot. I like using a wooden spoon for that. Deglazing is an important step when you start the dish with sauteeing. It will prevent the burn message from appearing. Add beans and remaining liquid, close the lid and set IP to cook.

Step 3: mash or blend with stick blender

Once timer is done, strain beans over a big bowl to catch the liquid. It is very flavorful and we will use it to mash the beans to desired texture. I like to use my stick blender to puree the beans, leaving almost half of them whole for the chunky texture.

What beans can I use to make refried beans?

The most commonly used bean for making refried beans is pinto bean. It takes 45 minutes to cook 1 lb of pinto beans in the Instant Pot, without pre-soaking. You can use black beans as well, just reduce the cooking time to 25 minutes.

Uses:

Serve these delicious refried beans with my Instant Pot Chicken Tacos, or Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas. They are perfect for making burritos, huevos rancheros and tostadas. One of my favorite ways to use them is the Mexican 5 Layer Dip.

More Instant Pot Mexican recipes:

• Instant Pot Black Beans
• Instant Pot Fluffy Rice
• Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
• Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
• Instant Pot Taco Meat (from frozen)

For more electric pressure cooker recipes, feel free to browse our Instant Pot category.

Check out my Instant Pot Guide for Beginners, filled with all the info you need to get started with your new appliance! Seeing BURN message on your IP? Read my Instant Pot Burn Message post to learn why and how to save your dish.

If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀

5 from 4 votes

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Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

45 mins

pressure release time

10 mins

Total Time

50 mins

 

Instant Pot Refried Beans - the best refried beans made with dry pinto beans, no soaking required. Flavorful, creamy and done in under 1 hour! So much better than canned beans!

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: Instant Pot refried beans

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 145 kcal

Author: Anna

Ingredients

• 1 lb pinto beans dry (2 cups)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 3 teaspoons minced garlic
• 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
• 3/4 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Make sure the inner pot is in your Instant Pot. Press saute setting and wait 2 minutes.
2. Add oil and onion. Saute 2 minutes. Add garlic and spices (chili powder, cumin and oregano). Saute 2 minutes. Press cancel/off button.
3. Add 1/2 cup water to the Instant Pot and using a wooden spoon, deglaze the bottom of the pot. Scrape any cooked on bits.
4. Add beans and remaining water and stock. Stir everything.
5. Close the lid, set valve to sealing position (the newer IP models do it on their own). Make sure the Instant Pot is set to cook on high pressure. Press manual setting and set timer to 45 minutes. The pressure cooker will beep and will start coming to pressure. This can take about 5 to 7 minutes.
6. Once the timer is done, press cancel/off button and let the Instant Pot release the pressure naturally (do not switch the valve). When the pin drops, carefully open the lid away from your face. Stir the beans.
7. Set a big colander over a big bowl and strain the beans. Return beans to IP insert. Using a stick blender or hand masher, mash beans to desired consistency, adding the reserved liquid as needed.
8. Serve or cool completely and store in container with lid for up to 4 days.

Recipe Notes

If you like your refried beans completely smooth, add use 3 cups total of water to cook the beans. You will need the extra liquid to mash the beans.

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 145 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Fat 3g5%

Sodium 518mg23%

Potassium 371mg11%

Carbohydrates 23g8%

Fiber 7g29%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 240IU5%

Vitamin C 2.4mg3%

Calcium 53mg5%

Iron 2.1mg12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.