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Instant Pot Refried Beans

Instant Pot Refried Beans

The ultimate comfort food, Instant Pot Refried Beans are creamy and full of flavor. This easy weeknight dinner comes together in no time, making it perfect for busy families. Serve them with tacos or enjoy them as a hearty dip. You won’t believe how simple it is to make this delicious dish!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner, Side Dishes
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 200
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1/2 medium onion, diced
  • 1 pound pinto beans, dry
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon cumin, ground

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Slow Cooker
  • Blender
  • Cutting Board
  • Frying Pan

Method
 

  1. First, you’ll want to set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and add the oil to the pot. Allow it to heat up for a minute, and then add the diced onion. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent—this usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes. You’re looking for a soft texture and a slightly sweet aroma.
  2. Next, rinse the pinto beans under cold water to remove any debris. Once rinsed, add the beans to the pot. One of the best things about this recipe is that there’s no need to soak the beans beforehand, saving you time and effort.
  3. Now it’s time to add the remaining ingredients. Pour in the chicken broth, water, and salt. Stir everything together, ensuring the beans are submerged in the liquid.
  4. Close the lid of the Instant Pot, ensuring the valve is set to sealing. Cook on manual high pressure for 40 minutes. You might hear some hissing—this is completely normal as the pressure builds.
  5. After the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural release of pressure for about 10 to 15 minutes. Once the pressure has released, carefully turn the valve to venting to release any remaining steam before opening the lid.
  6. Drain the cooked beans, reserving 1 cup of the liquid. Transfer the beans along with this reserved liquid and the cumin into a blender. Pulse until you achieve your desired consistency. You can keep them smooth or leave them slightly chunky, depending on your preference.
  7. Once blended, taste the refried beans and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If you prefer a creamier texture, feel free to add more reserved liquid to the mixture.
  8. Serve the Instant Pot Refried Beans warm, topped with your choice of garnishes like cheese or cilantro for added flavor. They pair perfectly with tortillas, on nachos, or as a side to your favorite Mexican dishes.
  9. If you have leftovers, allow them to cool down before transferring them to ziplock bags for freezing. They freeze well and can be reheated later for a quick meal.
  10. If you want to prepare these in a crockpot, heat the oil in a sauté pan and cook the onions until translucent. Then add them to the crockpot with the rest of the ingredients, except for the cumin. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours. Follow the same blending steps as outlined above.

Notes

If you have leftovers, allow them to cool, then store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to five days or freeze for longer storage.