Best Damn Instant Pot Refried Beans

These Instant Pot refried beans are made from dry pinto beans with no soaking required. They come out creamy, flavorful, and far better than anything from a can. The Instant Pot does all the heavy lifting, making this an easy, dependable recipe you can use for tacos, burritos, and as a side-dish for countless other meals.

Instant Pot Ideal for Refried Beans

The Instant Pot makes refried beans far easier than traditional methods, without sacrificing flavor or texture.

• Consistent results – tender beans that blend up smooth and creamy every time.
• No soaking required – start with dry pinto beans and let the Instant Pot do the work
• Faster overall cook time – many refried bean recipes take quite long to prepare and make; this one is ready in a little over an hour

Fresh Ingredients, No Lard

Instead of relying on lard or heavy fats, this recipe builds flavor from fresh ingredients and a simple technique that makes a big difference.

• Fresh cilantro and lime juice – brighten everything up at the end
• Whole cumin seeds – toasted using the Instant Pot’s sauté setting for deeper, more robust flavor
• Fresh onion and garlic – the base layer of flavor
• Fresh jalapeño – adds a mild kick without overpowering the beans
• Paprika and taco seasoning – round out the seasoning with warmth and balance
• Bay leaf – adds subtle depth as the beans cook

Cooking

The cooking process is mostly hands-off once the Instant Pot gets going, but there are a couple of key steps that make a real difference in flavor and texture.

• The recipe starts by toasting whole cumin seeds using the Instant Pot’s sauté setting, which helps release their natural oils and deepen the overall flavor.
• The beans are then pressure cooked until fully tender, followed by a natural release to let them finish cooking gently.
• After cooking, the beans are drained, reserving some of the liquid to control the final consistency.
• The beans are mashed or blended until smooth, adding reserved liquid as needed to reach your preferred texture.

Drain and Mash

After cooking, the beans are drained, but the cooking liquid is important – don’t discard it.

• You’ll usually add back most, if not all, of the reserved liquid to get the beans creamy and smooth.
• Reserve the liquid so it can be added back while mashing or blending.
• This allows you to control the final consistency, whether you prefer your refried beans thicker or smoother.

Garnish and Serve

Now you’re ready to garnish and serve your beans. Place them in a bowl and add your favorite toppings such as more fresh cilantro, diced onion, diced tomatoes, jalapeno slices and of course, some cheese always makes refried beans awesome! They are an excellent side-dish for our Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas or our Air Fryer Steak Fajitas. When making our Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls, add a layer of these refried beans on the bottom for extra goodness!

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