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Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot) Pinto Beans

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These Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot) Pinto Beans are a delicious bean recipe with Mexican flavors. They are no soak, full of flavor, and meatless.

instant pot pinto beans in a large bowl with cilantro on top

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Full Recipe/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Ever been in a situation when your spouse walks up to you and says “I need you to cook lunch for my crew and cast members?” ok, maybe not. But this happened to me. You see, my husband is a struggling film director/writer who is currently working on a tv series. During filming, he wanted me to feed everyone on set.

I’m not a caterer, so I was initially stumped. But then it clicked, a taco lunch would be perfect.

The lunch turned out perfect! We had chicken tacos, these pork carnitas, mexican rice, 7 layer dip, these pinto beans, and tres leches cake for dessert.

I’m so excited to share this pinto bean recipe with you because it’s so flavorful and so easy to make. You don’t even have to worry about soaking the beans thanks to the pressure cooker.

instant pot pinto beans on a spoon

How to make Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Pinto Beans?

Making these beans is pretty easy. As I stated earlier, I don’t soak these beans. There is no need to plus…I ain’t got time for all that.

First, set your Pressure Cooker to sauté on high. For the Instant Pot, that’s the “More” setting. Once the display says “Hot,” add your oil. Then add your onion and garlic and stir. Cook until the onion has softened, around 3 minutes.

onions in the instant pot

Then add your chopped chipotle pepper in Adobo sauce. These peppers can be found in your local grocery store and add a nice kick to these beans. If you’re not a fan of spice, add just one pepper or eliminate them all together.

2 chipotles in adobo on cutting board

Next, add your garlic powder, salt, minced garlic, cumin, chili powder and stir for about 20 seconds. You should smell the spices cooking at this time. I call this step “roasting” the spices. I find it helps flavor the beans. 

onions in the instant pot with spices

Next, add your vegetable broth and water and use a wooden spoon to deglaze your Instant Pot by making sure there are no bits of food stuck to the bottom of your Instant Pot. Add your beans and stir. Then add your diced tomatoes.

inside in the instant pot before cooking the pinto beans

Press “Cancel” on your Instant Pot. Cover your Instant Pot, making sure your valve is set to “Seal.” Press “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” and select “High” Pressure for 45 minutes.

Once your timer is up, allow your pressure cooker to natural release for about 15-25 minutes. Then you may quick release the remaining pressure by moving the valve from “Seal” to “Vent.”

Open the lid and stir in your vinegar…yes, vinegar. I found that vinegar brings out the flavor of these beans even more.

And there you have it! Delicious, flavorful, easy Instant Pot Pinto Beans. Done without soaking.

I hope you enjoy this recipe 🙂

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pin image of instant pot pinto beans

Looking for more side dishes to make in your Instant Pot? Try these out:

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4.80 from 15 votes

Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot) Pinto Beans

These Pressure Cooker Pinto Beans are quick and easy when made in your Instant Pot. Delicious Mexican flavors come through in this no soak pressure cooker bean recipe.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword instant pot pinto beans
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 people
Calories 249kcal
Author Tanya

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 16 oz dried pinto beans washed and picked over
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 chopped Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce + 1tsp sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
  • 1 Tablespoon Cumin
  • 2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 15oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 Tablespoon white distilled vinegar

Instructions

  • Set your Pressure Cooker to sauté on high. Once the display says Hot, add vegetable oil.
  • Add onion and garlic and cook for about 3 minutes, until onions have softened. Then add chipotle peppers, chili powder, cumin, salt, and garlic powder. Stir for about 20 seconds.
  • Add vegetable broth and water. Use a wooden spoon to stir and deglaze the pot by removing any stuck pieces of food from the bottom. Add beans and stir. Pour in diced tomatoes.
  • Press “Cancel” on your pressure cooker. Cover the pressure cooker and cook on High Pressure for 45 minutes.
  • Once timer is complete, allow pressure to naturally release for 15-25 minutes. Naturally release any remaining pressure.
  • Open Instant Pot and add vinegar to pot and stir. Enjoy 🙂

Video

Notes

Older beans will need a longer cook time. If you follow the recipe and your beans aren’t tender, close the pressure cooker and cook for an additional 10-20 minutes on high pressure, and then slowly quick release the remaining pressure once the timer is up.

Suggested Tools for Instant Pot Pinto Beans

Nutrition

Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1078mg | Potassium: 849mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 555IU | Vitamin C: 4.9mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 3.6mg
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Recipe Rating




Beverly

Thursday 8th of February 2024

Wonderful recipe! So full of flavor. I also added in a chopped poblano pepper with the onions and garlic! I've been soaking my beans overnight for decades--I think it helps with the gas issue. Also, they cook so much faster and also helps if you do have a batch of older beans. I cook soaked beans for about 10 mins, slow release for 15. Love your blog!! Thanks!!

Tanya

Thursday 8th of February 2024

Thanks so much for the feedback, Beverly! I loved that you added a poblano pepper. Sounds delicous! I agree, soaking the beans for sure speeds up the time.

Karen

Wednesday 10th of May 2023

I’ve made this recipe 5-7 times and it’s always delicious! The flavors are perfect together. It freezes well and sometimes, I double the spice and liquid ingredients so I can use the extra liquid to make rice in the instant pot instead of using plain water. The original recipe goes well over plain rice too, but since the flavors are so good, why not boost your rice?

Tanya

Thursday 11th of May 2023

Thanks so much Karen! I love the way you double the liquid ingredients too. So smart!

Karen

Saturday 7th of May 2022

These pinto beans are delicious!

Linda Schroeder

Tuesday 19th of April 2022

I tried these pinto beans today and they were awesome! My husband loved them too. They will be even more awesome tomorrow I suspect. I put them on top of my baked sweet potato. YUM and thank you.

Tanya

Wednesday 20th of April 2022

Thanks Linda! So happy you liked the recipe :)

Becca

Tuesday 12th of October 2021

Could these be made in advance? Best way to reheat?

Tanya

Wednesday 13th of October 2021

Hi Becca, they can. I honestly usually reheat in the microwave for a few minutes but they could also be reheated on a pot on the stove on low heat until warm. I refrigerate them with a little bit of the liquid and warm them in the liquid too.