Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe (2024)

You’ll be shocked at how simple and delicious it is to make this homemade Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe!

I’m always surprised when I realize how much easier the Instant Pot (pressure cooker) makes cooking up certain recipes. Dried beans typically take ALL DAY to cook up, but not with the Instant Pot! You can have these delicious beans ready in about 1 1/2 hours from start to finish with very minimal hands on time.

Ingredients:

• Corn Oil – can also use avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
• Onion – I prefer yellow onion here
• Jalapeño – use more or less to increase spice level
• Dried Pinto Beans – this recipe would also work with dried black beans or a combination of the two
• Chicken Broth – you could also use vegetable broth or water with chicken bouillon.
• Chili Powder
• Garlic Powder
• Salt
• Lard – this is what makes the beans have that authentic flavor. You could omit this step, but I highly recommend trying it with the lard.

How To Make Instant Pot Refried Beans:

• Start by rinsing dried pinto beans under water to get rid of any dirt. Pick out any broken or misshaped beans and discard those.
• Sauté onion and jalapeños in the pot of your pressure cooker, then add in the dried beans, chicken broth, chili powder, salt and garlic powder.
• Set the pressure to HIGH and let cook for just 45 minutes!
• Once they’re done cooking, remove the beans and juices from the pot and turn the pot back to Sauté mode. Add in a few tablespoons of lard and then pour the beans back in and let them fry for a few minutes, before mashing with a potato masher to your desired consistency.

How Long To Cook

These beans cook up in a fraction of the time it takes to make in the slow cooker or stove top, without any soaking of beans involved.

Sautéing the onions will take about 3 minutes, then you can expect about 8 minutes for the pot to build pressure, 45 minutes under pressure, plus a 20 minute natural release time. Frying the beans will add an additional 5 minutes. Total cook time should be about 1 hour 20 minutes.

How To Double Beans In The Instant Pot

Want to make more? Great! It’s super simple to do, just make sure you follow these tips below…

• For beans you’ll want to double ALL THE INGREDIENTS in the instant pot. This includes the liquid.
• The cook time will remain the same as if you’re cooking the original (non doubled) recipe. You DO NOT need to double the cook time!
  • The instant pot cooks based on the size of the food being cooked, not necessarily the volume.
• Remember to not fill the instant pot more than 1/2 way full for items like beans and rice (which expand when cooked).
• This recipe was tested in an 8 quart Instant Pot. Smaller pots may take longer to cook because they will come to pressure faster. Adjust cook times accordingly.

What To Serve With Refried Beans?

We eat these refried beans along with all of our favorite Mexican dishes. Here are a few of our most popular!

• Ground Beef Enchiladas
• Chicken Tamale Casserole
• Easy Mexican Rice
• Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
• Quick Steak Fajitas

Can I Use a Slow Cooker?

Yes! I actually have a fantastic Slow Cooker Refried Beans Recipe that was the basis of how I came up with this Instant Pot version. It’s a little more hands on, and takes more time, but yields amazing results.

How To Store Refried Beans

Refried beans are great because they’re easily freezable. Simply place the beans in a zip close bag and lay the beans flat till they are cooled to room temperature. Place the bag in the freezer flat, so it freezes nice and thin then once frozen you can easily stack them.

Beans can be frozen for up to 5 months or refrigerated up to 7 days.

Of course my favorite way to eat these beans is topped with shredded cheddar cheese. YUM!

I know you’re going to love this recipe and how easy it is to make authentic Mexican Refried Beans at home!

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