Name: Instant Pot Refried Beans
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 8 Servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 lb Pinto beans; 0.5 sticks Butter; 0.5 tsp Salt; 0.5 tsp Pepper; 1 tsp Onion powder; 1 tsp Garlic powder; 1 tbsp Paprika; 1 tbsp Chili powder; 2 tablespoons Ground cumin

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Instant Pot Refried Beans

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Ingredients

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Instructions

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Instructions

Place dry rinsed beans into instant pot and add 5 cups of water

Seal the lid and pressure valve and cook on high for 30 minutes. Manually release pressure when finished.

Drain beans while keeping 2 cups of liquid and set aside.

Place the beans in a food processor with butter and spices. Blend until beans are smooth and creamy. Add left over liquid 1 tablespoon at a time to achieve desired consistency.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Soak Beans for Texture Control 💧
Quick-soak pinto beans for 1 hour before cooking to ensure uniform tenderness and reduce pressure cooking time to just 25 minutes, preventing mushy or undercooked beans.
Bloom Spices in Butter First 🧈
Toast cumin, chili powder, and paprika in butter for 1-2 minutes before adding beans to unlock their essential oils and create a deeply flavorful base that permeates every bite.
Layer Your Seasonings Strategically 🎯
Add garlic and onion powder with the spices, but reserve salt until after pressure cooking completes—this prevents salt from hardening the bean skins and ensures better absorption.
Mash to Your Preferred Consistency 🥄
Use the instant pot's sauté function after cooking to mash beans to your exact texture preference, whether creamy or chunky, while reducing excess liquid by 30-40% for optimal thickness.
Add Fat After Cooking for Better Flavor 🌟
Finish refried beans with an extra pat of butter or drizzle of quality Mexican crema after pressure release—this coats the beans and enhances their richness far better than adding fat at the start.