Instant Pot Pinto Beans Recipe

Introduction

Instant Pot Pinto Beans are a quick and easy way to enjoy hearty, flavorful beans without the long soak and simmer time. This recipe uses simple ingredients and pressure cooking to deliver tender, perfectly cooked beans in less than an hour. It’s a comforting base for many meals or a tasty side on its own.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry pinto beans
• 3 cups water
• 1 small onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 small green bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 to 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• Shredded cheddar cheese, for topping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pick out any bad-looking beans, then rinse the dry pinto beans thoroughly under cold water.
2. Step 2: Place the rinsed beans in the Instant Pot. Add the water, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, and salt. Stir gently to dissolve the salt and ensure beans are evenly distributed on the bottom of the pot.
3. Step 3: Secure the Instant Pot lid, making sure the valve is set to sealing. Press the “BEAN/STEW” button, which sets the pressure to high, and set the timer to 55 minutes. Turn off the “keep warm” function.
4. Step 4: When cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 to 15 minutes to prevent splattering hot liquid.
5. Step 5: Open the lid carefully. Taste the beans and adjust seasoning as needed. Optionally, mash a few beans with a potato masher for a creamier texture. Serve topped with shredded cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of black pepper. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For added flavor, sauté the onion and green pepper in the Instant Pot on sauté mode before adding the beans and water.
• Feel free to add garlic, cumin, or chili powder for a spicier twist.
• If you prefer softer beans, increase the pressure cooking time by 5 minutes.
• Use low sodium broth instead of water for richer flavor.

Storage

Store leftover pinto beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if needed to maintain moisture. Pinto beans also freeze well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Do I need to soak the pinto beans before using the Instant Pot?

No, soaking is not necessary when cooking pinto beans in the Instant Pot. The pressure cooking process tenderizes the beans quickly without the need for pre-soaking.

Can I use canned beans instead of dry beans in this recipe?

This recipe is designed for dry beans; canned beans are already cooked and do not need pressure cooking. If using canned beans, simply heat them with the vegetables and seasonings without pressure cooking.

Instant Pot Pinto Beans Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 131 reviews

This Instant Pot Pinto Beans recipe is a simple, hearty, and flavorful dish perfect for a quick and nutritious meal. Using an Instant Pot accelerates the cooking process, ensuring tender beans infused with the fresh taste of onions and green bell peppers. Topped with shredded cheddar cheese and seasoned to perfection, these beans are great as a side dish or a main vegetarian protein source.

• Author: lucas
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Instant Pot
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup dry pinto beans
• 1 – 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• Ground black pepper, to taste

Fresh Produce

• 1 small onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 small green bell pepper, diced (about 1 cup)

Liquids

• 3 cups water

Toppings

• Shredded cheddar cheese, as desired

Instructions

1. Sort and Rinse Beans: Inspect the dry pinto beans carefully, removing any damaged or discolored ones. Rinse the beans thoroughly under cold running water to clean off any dust or debris.
2. Add Ingredients to Instant Pot: Place the rinsed beans into the Instant Pot. Add 3 cups of water, diced onion, diced green bell pepper, salt, and ground black pepper. Stir to dissolve the salt and evenly distribute the ingredients at the bottom of the pot.
3. Set Pressure Cooking: Secure the Instant Pot lid and ensure the valve is set to the sealing position. Select the “BEAN/STEW” setting, which defaults to high pressure, and set the timer to 55 minutes. Turn off the ‘keep warm’ function for precise timing.
4. Natural Pressure Release: Once the cooking cycle finishes, allow the pressure to release naturally inside the pot for 10 to 15 minutes. This process gently finishes the cooking and avoids sudden hot steam release.
5. Season and Serve: Carefully open the Instant Pot. Taste the beans, and adjust salt and pepper seasoning as needed. Optionally, mash a few beans with a potato masher for desired texture. Serve hot topped with shredded cheddar cheese and additional ground black pepper if preferred. Enjoy your hearty meal!

Notes

• For creamier beans, mash some of them after cooking as desired.
• Adjust water amount slightly if you prefer thicker or soupier beans.
• Feel free to add spices like cumin or chili powder before cooking for added flavor.
• This recipe is vegetarian and can be adapted to vegan by omitting the cheddar cheese topping.
• Natural pressure release is important to avoid splattering and to better cook the beans.

Keywords: Instant Pot pinto beans, easy pinto beans, pressure cooker beans, vegetarian bean recipe