This Instant Pot Refried Beans recipe is easy because you use a pressure cooker, which means you can get them on the table that much faster. And it is so delicious that once you make these beans, you will never be satisfied with canned.
I have to say that refried beans is one of the best discoveries to come out of my tenure at the Mexican restaurant. Of course, the other is the Cadillac margarita. Or any margarita for that matter. I’d never had one before I went to work there and now I can’t get enough of them!
Why use a Pressure Cooker for making refried beans?
It’s an awesome time saver. The normal time to cook beans is anywhere from 3 to 4 hours. The actual cooking time for my Instant Pot Refried Beans is 50 minutes. You do the math. 🙂
Are your Instant Pot refried beans gluten free?
Yes.
Can you make these IP refried beans vegetarian or vegan?
Yes. This recipe is not vegetarian or vegan but you can easily make it so. Just use vegetable broth or water instead of chicken broth. Easy peasy. Most refried beans that you find, either canned or in a restaurant, have lard in them, which is definitely NOT vegetarian and especially not vegan.
Why are refried beans considered refried?
The ‘refritos’ in frijoles refritos does not actually mean ‘refried.’ What it does mean is ‘well fried’ or ‘well cooked’. This refers to the fact that they’re basically cooked to mush. I don’t cook beans to mush, but you can easily smash the beans in this recipe to mush after they’re done.
Can I make this recipe with Black Beans?
Yes, indeed!
Tips to making Instant Pot refried beans:
- Wash your beans well and pick them over because there are often rocks mixed in with pinto beans.
- Use the freshest dried herbs as you can. Remember, dried herbs can go stale.
- If you are not vegetarian, use chicken broth as it gives the refried beans such a lovely taste.
- Don’t use bouillon cubes diluted with water as this will make the broth way too salty.
The ingredients for the Instant Pot Refried Beans and the Process shots
- Ingredients: garlic powder, oregano, onion powder, cumin, chipotle powder, salt, chopped onion, dried pinto beans and chicken broth
- All the ingredients in the IP
- Beans cooked and placed in a glass bowl to mash
What I’ve discovered since I started using my Instant Pot
It doesn’t make a difference in the taste of a dish whether you sauté the onion in oil or not. WHAT? It’s true. Save the calories (and the cost) of the olive oil and just toss the onions into the IP with the rest of the ingredients.
Look at that, I just saved you about 5 minutes of cooking time and 5 cents. It all adds up!
Dump all the ingredients in the Instant pot, seal the lid, press the Bean button and adjust the time to 45 minutes. The IP takes about 10-15 minutes to come to pressure before the timer begins and the IP can do its job.
When the Instant Pot beeps to let you know time’s up, let it rest for 5 minutes before bringing it to a quick release. Put on an oven mitt and carefully flick the venting knob to gently release the pressure.
Once the pressure is totally released, open the Instant Pot.
You can either mash the pinto beans in the IP container or transfer them to a glass bowl, as I did. I use an old fashioned masher and mash away. I let some of the beans stay whole but the majority turns into refried beans.
Let’s look at these beans from above.
You can do many things with these Instant Pot refried beans. Use them as a side dish or stuff them into enchiladas or burritos.
Why do I feel sorry about these Instant Pot Refried Beans?
They are so delicious that, once you taste them, you will have a hard time enjoying canned beans instead of homemade. So, sorry. 🙂
Please leave a comment and tell me what you like to do with refried beans!
And as always, may all your dishes be delish.
Creamy and delicious, these homemade beans will never disappoint!
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1.5 cups dried pinto beans washed and picked over
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder or more if you can stand the heat
In the Instant Pot, add all the ingredients above. Seal the IP, press the Beans button and adjust the time to 45 minutes
The IP will take 10 - 15 minutes to come to pressure before the timer begins
After the IP beeps, either let it release naturally for 15 minutes or do a quick release in less than 5 minutes. If you decide to do a quick release, wear an oven mitt so you don't burn your fingers
Either mash the beans int he IP container or transfer them to a bowl. I use an old fashioned potato masher. Don't mash them so much that you don't have any whole beans
Serve
Eat
Enjoy
Tips to making Instant Pot refried beans:
- Wash your beans well. There are often rocks mixed in with pinto beans
- Use the freshest dried herbs as you can. Remember, that dried herbs can go stale
- If you are not vegetarian, use chicken broth as it gives the refried beans such a lovely taste
- Don't use bouillon cubes diluted with water as it is way too salty
Can you believe I don’t yet have an Instant Pot? I’m going to have to get one because this recipe looks delicious! Hubby and I love all kinds of beans and they are always stocked in our pantry. Nice touch with the cumin in here too 🙂
Thank you Dawn. I was an IP holdout and now I feel silly because I use it a lot!
How is it that I love refried beans, but have never MADE them? Crazy, right? Thank you for sharing the recipe, these look amazing, Elaine!
Thank you Lisa! Once you make them for yourself, you never will go back to canned!
I love refried beans and another great recipe for my instant pot. Adding this to my must try!
That’s great Jessie! I hope you enjoy it as it is delicious!
I like refried beans but have never made my own. I do have an instant pot so shall try these.
So easy and delicious Jacqui! Thank you for your comment.
You know I need this recipe for all the Tex-Mex that comes out of this kitchen! Look AMAZING!
Thank you Kelly! It is so good and easy, that is for sure!
I love that pressure cookers make such quick work of dried beans! And you’re totally right, once you try them you really can’t go back to canned beans. Great recipe!
Thanks Jenni! I appreciate it!
I really need to get myself an instant pot. It looks like there is so much that you can do with it and we eat a lot of refried beans.
Thanks Danielle! Yes, wait to you see how easy the IP or pressure cooker makes life!
The Instant Pot makes quick work of EVERYTHING! I adore refried beans made in the Instant Pot.
Thank you Kristy and yes, the IP is so fabulous and I wonder why I waited as long as I did to buy one. 🙂
I just happen to LOVE refried beans. This is such a great recipe that can be used so many ways. However, you can catch me just eating these beans by the spoonful…and I love adding them to the taco mixture too.
Mmm, yes that would be good too! Thanks Gloria! We are big fans of beans in my house!
Thought you might want to know in the print recipe the chipotle powder was left out. I assume it is 1 teaspoon lie the rest of the seasoning. I was able to catch it as you did list it as an ingredient elsewhere. I was using a spreadsheet that will apply the ratio to more or less servings to make and happened to notice. Rating it high as I know it will be delish. I probably will soak the beans prior to cooking as old habits hard to stop. You did a marvelous job explaining and now I have permission to not think I must use oil and lamely fry them!
Thanks so much Linda for catching that, I’ve updated the recipe card. I actually use 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder because hubby can’t stand the heat. I know what you mean about old habits, but you really don’t need to soak them. 🙂
Wow! 50 minutes to have homemade frijoles? Amazing! They are one of my favorite foods on the planet! I make in the slow cooker often, but they certainly do NOT take 50 minutes! Awesome!! Now you are going to make me go buy an Instant Pot, aren’t you?
I am Beth, I am! 🙂 Thank you!
I actually had refried beans for dinner tonight! They were from a can though and don’t look nearly as creamy and dreamy as your recipe. I love them though so I’m thinking I need to make them myself. Bonus points for using the instant pot!
Thanks Dominique! I really appreciate it!
I can’t believe I’ve never made refried beans in my Instant Pot! Definitely trying this one soon. I love that you don’t need to soak the beans first.
It’s so freeing Annemarie!! Thank you for your comment!
I got a instant pot recently and I have been trying out recipes non stop. Already in love with the pot. This would another recipe I need to try. I love refried beans and have a recipe to make it on stove, thinking of the possibility to have homemade refried beans in an hour excites me!
Yay Jo! Welcome to the club! 🙂 It’s so delicious!!
What a great recipe! Love that you can make it in the pressure cooker. So easy. And the beans look just like the ones in our local Mexican cantina.
Thanks Chris!
I really need to get my hands on an Instant Pot! So many amazing recipes to make with it. This refried beans look so tasty that I am actually convinced to get an IP.
I took a long time to finally purchase one, and I’m glad I did.
I love this so much! I love that I can make these in my instant pot rather than buying them from the can! Cannot wait to try this!
Thank you Kristina! They are so much better.
I’m one of those weird people that has beans for their favorite food. I’m always looking for new ways to make beans (especially refried beans), and I love that this uses the Instant Pot! Taco night is going to be so much more fun now!
Hehe Mackenzie! Beans are right up there on my list too! 🙂
What an informational post!! I love it! So much good information here! These look amazing! I’m going to give them a try!
Thank you Amanda!
I have made refried beans in my instant pot but your recipe looks so much better! I love all the spices you put in there! I am making these tomorrow with our taco night!
Woohoo Kelsey. I hope you enjoy them!
I haven’t tried beans in my Instant Pot yet, but this looks so easy. Can’t wait to try it for our next Mexican dinner.
Thanks Julie! I absolutely love them and almost always have them on hand.