Instant Pot Pinto Beans

This instant pot pinto beans recipe is one of the easiest pressure cooker pinto beans recipe. It is packed full of flavor, protein and fibre. This pinto beans in pressure cooker can also be made mexican pinto beans style or plain.

I like pinto beans. It's tasty, flavorful and healthy just like instant pot black eyed peas. I like to cook it as a one pot dish and serve with rice. That's how my daughters like it too when i pack it in their lunch boxes especially daughter number one who isn't a fan of beans dishes. Rice, beans and beef or chicken and there's rarely any leftover. It's easy and inexpensive to make, a 500g pack cost about £1. Let me show you a detailed step by step of how i cook pinto beans in instant pot.

INSTANT POT PINTO BEANS RECIPE

This instant pot recipe is no soak, no drain pinto beans recipe and it’s very easy to make. I make it in my instant pot duo 7 in 1 6 quart but you can make this recipe in any brand of electric pressure cooker (Cooking time may vary). I have also included stovetop recipe for those that do not have instant pot. Below i have summarised what pinto beans is, how to cook, stovetop recipe, what to serve with and how to store. Do read these important notes before getting the detailed ingredient list, directions and video in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

WHAT IS PINTO BEANS

Pinto bean is a type of bean that is popular in United states and some parts of Mexico. Other names for pinto bean include frijol, feijao carioca. It is nutrient dense, a good source of protein and fibre. Fibre keeps you fuller for longer, help stabilize blood sugar and improve digestions. You can use pinto beans in burritos, as side dish , to make refried beans and more. A cup of cooked pinto beans contain 244 calories of which carbs is 44.8g, protein 15.4g, fat 1.1g and fibre 15.4g. Substitutes for pinto beans are kidney beans, black beans and crab eye beans.

WHY I LIKE INSTANT POT PINTO BEANS

• It's quicker cooking pinto beans in instant pot than stovetop. Cooking time cuts in atleast half.

• It is cheap to make at home. 500g (1lb) of pinto beans cost about £1 and gives 6 cups cooked which makes it inexpensive and suitable for large family.

• Better taste and texture – The instant pot use less water in cooking and locks in flavour and nutrients.

• Full of fibre, nutrients and flavour.

• Homemade so no unnecessary ingredients or preservatives added. You control what goes in the beans, how soft you want it, how spicy, etc.

• Consistent result with the instant pot plus you don't have to watch over the pot.

INGREDIENTS

Detailed ingredients list, directions and video in printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Pinto beans

Onion – Chopped

Garlic – minced

Smoked paprika

Cayenne pepper or black pepper

Water or Broth 

Stock cubes

Oil – Vegetable, sunflower oil, olive oil or similar cooking oil.

Salt

NO SOAK PINTO BEANS

I don't soak beans for cooking unless when making moin moin so this is a no soak pinto beans recipe. Although soaking beans makes them soften and cook faster if cooking beans on stovetop but soaking beans is not neccessary with the instant pot pressure cooker. No need to soak beans at all! I do not soak pinto beans and it comes out soft, flavourful, tasty and perfect. Not soaking beans also does not impact on taste. Make sure beans are stone and dirt free, rinse with warm water once or twice before cooking. This is also a no drain recipe.

RATIO OF BEANS TO WATER RATIO FOR PINTO

I tested instant pot pinto beans with different water ratio and the one i like best for soft and creamy beans is ratio 1:2 that is, 1 cup of beans to 2 cups of water. For example, if cooking 2 cups of beans, use 4 cups of water. 

I tried with ratio 1: 3 that is 1 cup beans to 3 cups water and i found it was watery and i needed to drain.

HOW TO COOK PINTO BEANS IN INSTANT POT

Cooking pinto beans in pressure cooker is easy and a dump and go recipe. Here are the steps:

1) Make sure beans are free of stones and dirt then rinse beans in warm water.

2) Add pinto beans in the instant pot then add in water or broth.

3) Add chopped onions, garlic, paprika, pepper and all other ingredients.

4) Stir and cover instant pot with it's lid and set valve to ‘sealing’ position.

5) After safely locking the instant pot lid, set to manual pressure cook high for 40 minutes, and after pressuring cooking is done, leave to natural pressure release for 20 minutes and manually release the remaining pressure by turning vent into 'venting'.

6) Once instant pot is depressurised, open the lid and stir beans.

I like to mash some give creamy consistency. Serve and enjoy.

HOW TO COOK PINTO BEANS ON THE STOVE

1) Make sure pinto beans is free of dirt and stones then rinse with warm water.

2) In a pot, add the beans and water or broth.

3) Add chopped onions, garlic, pepper, salt and all other ingredients. Stir and cover the pot with lid.

4) Cook on medium heat for 90 minutes or till beans tender.

5) Take off heat and serve.

I like to mash some give creamy consistency. Serve and enjoy.

HOW MANY CUPS OF BEANS IN A POUND (500g)

A 500g pack of pinto beans contains 2.5 cups.

HOW LONG TO COOK PINTO BEANS

How long to cook pinto beans in instant pot: For this recipe, with the recommended beans to water ratio, it takes 35 minutes. For firmer beans, it takes 30 minutes of pressure cooking with same water ratio.

How long to cook pinto beans on stove: It takes approximately 90 minutes to cook pinto beans on stovetop.

WHAT TO EAT WITH PINTO BEANS

Here are some recommendations for sides to pair with

Instant pot brown rice

Easy bread recipe

instant pot jasmine rice 

Perfect instant pot basmati rice

Instant pot chicken drumsticks

HOW TO STORE PINTO BEANS

To store cooked pinto beans, leave to cool completely then put in airtight container or ziplock bags, label and store 

in the fridge - It will last for up to 4 days.

in the freezer - It would last for up to 6 months. It's best to portion per serving so you can bring out when needed, defrost, re heat and enjoy.

MORE INSTANT POT BEANS RECIPES

Instant pot black eyed peas

Easy Instant pot kidney beans

Instant pot black beans

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