Instant Pot Refried Beans
Are you looking for a quick and easy way to make refried beans? If so, then an Instant Pot is the perfect solution! This incredible kitchen appliance lets you have delicious refried beans ready in less than an hour. Also, using a pressure cooker means your beans will cook evenly and the flavor is out of this world.
I have to say that refried beans is one of the best discoveries to come out of my tenure at the Mexican restaurant.
Of course, the other is the Cadillac margarita. Or any margarita for that matter. I’d never had one before I went to work there and now I can’t get enough of them!
Why use a pressure cooker for making refried beans?
It’s an awesome time saver. The normal time to cook beans is anywhere from 3 to 4 hours. The actual cooking time for this recipe is 50 minutes. You do the math. 🙂
Why are refried beans considered refried?
The ‘refritos’ in frijoles refritos does not actually mean ‘refried.’ What it does mean is ‘well fried’ or ‘well cooked’. This refers to the fact that they’re basically cooked to mush. I don’t cook beans to mush, but you can easily smash the beans in this recipe to mush after they’re done.
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Helpful tips
- The beauty of this recipe is that there isn’t any soaking of the beans before you pressure cook them.
- Wash your dried beans well and pick them over because there are often rocks mixed in with pinto beans.
- Use the freshest dried herbs as you can. Remember, dried herbs can and do go stale.
- If you are not vegetarian, use chicken broth as it gives the refried beans such a lovely taste.
- Don’t use bouillon cubes diluted with water instead of chicken broth, as this will make the broth way too salty.
- You can make this recipe vegetarian or vegan by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- You can also make this homemade refried beans recipe with black beans.
- I love to serve these beans in tortillas with queso fresco cheese, salsa, guacamole, tortilla chips. The options are endless.
- You can store any leftover cooked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
What I’ve discovered since I started using my instant pot
It doesn’t make a difference in the taste of a dish whether you sauté the onion in oil or not. Save the calories (and the cost) of the olive oil and just toss the onions into the IP with the rest of the ingredients.
Look at that, I just saved you about 5 minutes of cooking time and 5 cents. It all adds up!
How to make instant pot refried beans
Step one
Gather the ingredients – chopped onion, washed pinto beans, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, chipotle powder, oregano, and chicken broth.
Step two
Add the onions, washed beans, broth, herbs, and spices into the instant pot. (A)
Step three
Seal the lid and make sure the venting knob is in the sealed position. Press the Bean button, make sure the mode is normal and set to high pressure, and adjust the time to 55 minutes. The IP takes about 10-15 minutes to come to pressure before the timer begins, and the IP can do its job.
Step four
When the IP beeps, let it rest for 5 minutes before doing a quick release.
Here’s how: put on an oven mitt and carefully move the venting knob to the venting position to release the pressure.
Step five
Remove the insert from the instant pot before mashing them. You can mash the beans in the instant pot container, but I put it in a glass bowl to show it as is. (B)
Step six
I use an old fashioned masher and mash away. I let some of the beans stay whole, but the majority turns into refried beans.
Step seven
Either transfer the beans to a serving bowl, or spoon directly on your plate.
Let’s look at these beans from above.
You can do many things with these instant pot refried beans. Use them as a side dish or stuff them into enchiladas or burritos. They are so delicious!
Other delicious bean recipes
And as always, may all your dishes be delish.
If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Instant Pot Refried Beans
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups dried pinto beans washed and picked over
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder or more if you can stand the heat
Instructions
- In the Instant Pot, add all the ingredients above. Seal the IP, press the Beans button and adjust the time to 55 minutes. Make sure the mode is set to normal and the pressure is high.4 cups chicken broth, 2 cups dried pinto beans, 1 small onion, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
- The IP will take 10 – 15 minutes to come to pressure before the timer begins.
- After the IP beeps, either let it release naturally for 15 minutes or do a quick release in less than 5 minutes. If you decide to do a quick release, wear an oven mitt so you don't burn your fingers.
- Mash the beans in the IP container or transfer them to a bowl. I use an old-fashioned potato masher. Don't mash them so much that you don't have any whole beans.
- Serve
- Eat
- Enjoy
Equipment
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- Wash your beans well. There are often rocks mixed in with pinto beans
- Use the freshest dried herbs as you can. Remember, that dried herbs can go stale
- If you are not vegetarian, use chicken broth as it gives the refried beans such a lovely taste
- Don’t use bouillon cubes diluted with water as it is way too salty
- You can make this recipe vegetarian or vegan by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth
- You can also make this recipe with black beans
Nutrition
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
Can you believe I don’t yet have an Instant Pot? I’m going to have to get one because this recipe looks delicious! Hubby and I love all kinds of beans and they are always stocked in our pantry. Nice touch with the cumin in here too 🙂
Thank you Dawn. I was an IP holdout and now I feel silly because I use it a lot!
How is it that I love refried beans, but have never MADE them? Crazy, right? Thank you for sharing the recipe, these look amazing, Elaine!
Thank you Lisa! Once you make them for yourself, you never will go back to canned!
I love refried beans and another great recipe for my instant pot. Adding this to my must try!
That’s great Jessie! I hope you enjoy it as it is delicious!
I like refried beans but have never made my own. I do have an instant pot so shall try these.
So easy and delicious Jacqui! Thank you for your comment.
You know I need this recipe for all the Tex-Mex that comes out of this kitchen! Look AMAZING!
Thank you Kelly! It is so good and easy, that is for sure!
I love that pressure cookers make such quick work of dried beans! And you’re totally right, once you try them you really can’t go back to canned beans. Great recipe!
Thanks Jenni! I appreciate it!
I really need to get myself an instant pot. It looks like there is so much that you can do with it and we eat a lot of refried beans.
Thanks Danielle! Yes, wait to you see how easy the IP or pressure cooker makes life!
The Instant Pot makes quick work of EVERYTHING! I adore refried beans made in the Instant Pot.
Thank you Kristy and yes, the IP is so fabulous and I wonder why I waited as long as I did to buy one. 🙂
I just happen to LOVE refried beans. This is such a great recipe that can be used so many ways. However, you can catch me just eating these beans by the spoonful…and I love adding them to the taco mixture too.
Mmm, yes that would be good too! Thanks Gloria! We are big fans of beans in my house!
Thought you might want to know in the print recipe the chipotle powder was left out. I assume it is 1 teaspoon lie the rest of the seasoning. I was able to catch it as you did list it as an ingredient elsewhere. I was using a spreadsheet that will apply the ratio to more or less servings to make and happened to notice. Rating it high as I know it will be delish. I probably will soak the beans prior to cooking as old habits hard to stop. You did a marvelous job explaining and now I have permission to not think I must use oil and lamely fry them!
Thanks so much Linda for catching that, I’ve updated the recipe card. I actually use 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder because hubby can’t stand the heat. I know what you mean about old habits, but you really don’t need to soak them. 🙂
Wow! 50 minutes to have homemade frijoles? Amazing! They are one of my favorite foods on the planet! I make in the slow cooker often, but they certainly do NOT take 50 minutes! Awesome!! Now you are going to make me go buy an Instant Pot, aren’t you?
I am Beth, I am! 🙂 Thank you!
I actually had refried beans for dinner tonight! They were from a can though and don’t look nearly as creamy and dreamy as your recipe. I love them though so I’m thinking I need to make them myself. Bonus points for using the instant pot!
Thanks Dominique! I really appreciate it!
I can’t believe I’ve never made refried beans in my Instant Pot! Definitely trying this one soon. I love that you don’t need to soak the beans first.
It’s so freeing Annemarie!! Thank you for your comment!
I got a instant pot recently and I have been trying out recipes non stop. Already in love with the pot. This would another recipe I need to try. I love refried beans and have a recipe to make it on stove, thinking of the possibility to have homemade refried beans in an hour excites me!
Yay Jo! Welcome to the club! 🙂 It’s so delicious!!
What a great recipe! Love that you can make it in the pressure cooker. So easy. And the beans look just like the ones in our local Mexican cantina.
Thanks Chris!
I really need to get my hands on an Instant Pot! So many amazing recipes to make with it. This refried beans look so tasty that I am actually convinced to get an IP.
I took a long time to finally purchase one, and I’m glad I did.
I love this so much! I love that I can make these in my instant pot rather than buying them from the can! Cannot wait to try this!
Thank you Kristina! They are so much better.
I’m one of those weird people that has beans for their favorite food. I’m always looking for new ways to make beans (especially refried beans), and I love that this uses the Instant Pot! Taco night is going to be so much more fun now!
Hehe Mackenzie! Beans are right up there on my list too! 🙂
What an informational post!! I love it! So much good information here! These look amazing! I’m going to give them a try!
Thank you Amanda!
I have made refried beans in my instant pot but your recipe looks so much better! I love all the spices you put in there! I am making these tomorrow with our taco night!
Woohoo Kelsey. I hope you enjoy them!
I haven’t tried beans in my Instant Pot yet, but this looks so easy. Can’t wait to try it for our next Mexican dinner.
Thanks Julie! I absolutely love them and almost always have them on hand.
Made these refried beans in my 8 qt. instant pot. Tried a few other recipes previously and they were good, but this is my very favorite recipe. They are the easiest to make and the most flavorful and since my husband doesn’t like refried beans, they’re all mine. I’m going to eat some of them for supper and freeze some for later. It’s a win for me! Thanks for the recipe. I’ll be making these refried beans many more times to come.
You just made my day Connie! I’m so glad you enjoyed them! I make these just about every week. 🙂
Hey! I’m planning in making this for a big birthday party! Can I double the recipe? If so, do you know if the time stays the same? Or do I need to increase it? Thank you!
Hi Stormy, you can double it, just make sure you don’t exceed the maximum fill line. And when I do a double batch, I increase the time to 1 hour and 5 minutes. Not sure I have to, but hubby likes it better at that time. 🙂 Hope this helps and thank you for your comment!
My instapot broke and I don’t have time to get a new one before dinner. Can I make these in a slow cooker? This is my favorite recipe so need to find a ways to make these happen tonight!
Kimberly, how sad that the IP broke. 🙁 You can use the slow cooker, for sure. You can cook it on high for 5 – 6 hours. I think that will be enough time for the beans to cook. Let me know how they come out.
Followed the directions to a Tee however there was a ton of excess liquid in my pot after cooking the beans. So much so I had to drain much of the liquid before smashing the cooked beans. Anyone else experience this? Where did I go wrong?
Flavor was great though!
Did you use the right amount of broth to beans?? 4 cups broth to 2 cups beans? Hmm. I’d be interested to know Jena. I’ve made this (no joke) hundreds of times and it comes out the same every time. Sorry it didn’t work out for you.