Instant Pot Refried Pinto Beans

 

Instant Pot Pinto Beans 

{no soaking needed}

Instant Pot Pinto Beans are so easy to make and there's no need to pre-soak! Cook dried pinto beans in under 60 minutes and have ready to use beans in your favorite recipe.

Course: Entree

Cuisine: American

 

Total Time: 2 hours

 

Servings: 4 quarts cooked beans

 

Author: Karrie | Tasty Ever 

Ingredients

• One 8-quart-size Instant Pot
• 6 cups dried pinto beans, rinsed 
• 12 cups hot water
• 1/2 of a med or lrg onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder equivalent)
• 1/2 cup jalapeños and its juice from a can of 'La Costeña' sliced pickled jalepeño peppers. I open the can, then freeze the rest in 1/2 cup potions for the next couple of batches of beans (...or, alternatively, use one 4 oz can Mild diced green chilis, this option is not as yummy but still good)
• 2 TBSP hamburger grease, pork fat, or bacon grease (optional)
• 5 tsp pink sea salt

Instructions

• PRE-RINSE: Fill a large bowl with lukewarm water. Add the 6 cups of dried beans to pot. Stir with your hand.  Rinsing this way helps remove any dirt and dirt clods. 
• Pour the beans into a strainer/colander.  
• Place 12 cups of hot water in the Instant Pot. Add more water, if needed. Ensure the beans are covered by at least 1 inch of water.
• 1st COOK: Cover and lock the InstantPot lid. Turn the Seal/Vent valve to Seal.  Select the beans/chili button. If no preprogrammed button, then select "Pressure Cooker" for 18 minutes at HIGH pressure. It takes 20-30 minutes for the Instantpot to pressurize, then another 18 min to pressure cook the beans.
• The InstantPot will beep when the beans are finished cooking.
•   2 options to release pressure: (1) wait for the Instant Pot to de-pressurize on its own. If you are out of the house running erronds, this is the default option (2) release pressure manually by placing a hand towel over the valve and carefully venting the steam valve on the lid.  The lid will remain locked until all the steam has been released.

     **Please note: Instant Pots vary in cooking times. 

• 2nd COOK: After lid is unlocked and removed, add the diced onion and minced garlic.
• Replace the Instant Pot lid and select HIGH pressure for another 18 minutes.
• When the beans are finished cooking the second time, de-pressurize. the lid will unlock once all steam has been released.
• Check the tenderness of the beans. If they are still firm, cook again for 10-15 minutes

• Add canned jalapeno juice and jalepeño pieces ...or the can of diced green chilis
• Add hamburger grease. I used to smoke the hamburger grease on the stove before adding it to the beans. I stopped after my friend burned down her kitchen doing it.
• Add salt to taste. 
• Stir

• SERVE as a soup with butter and a side of buttered tortillas
• SERVE as Refried beans. Mash beans by hand with a fork or potato masher. Another option is to blend with an immersion blender.  Enjoy!