With an Instant Pot and about 1 hour, you can make perfectly cooked pinto beans every time! Let us show you how.
Instant Pot Pinto Beans
The Instant Pot is our preferred method for cooking pinto beans because it’s quick and easy (no soaking required!) and yields perfectly tender beans!
Here’s what you need to know:
- Ratio = 1 part pinto beans : 3 parts water
- Cook Time = 35 minutes
- Release = 15 minute natural release, then release any remaining pressure
Pinto beans are incredibly versatile and can be added to soups, stews, chili, bowls, tacos, refried beans, baked beans, vegan sausage, stuffed peppers, and much more!
Did you find this helpful? If so, be sure to check out our Instant Pot Cooking Times Guide for perfectly cooked grains and beans every time!
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Instant Pot Pinto Beans (Fast, Perfect, No Soaking!)
A quick & simple method for making PERFECT pinto beans in the Instant Pot every time! Just 1 ingredient and 1 pot required!
Servings 4 (3/4-cup servings)
Ingredients
- 1 cup pinto beans
- 3 cups water (or vegetable broth for more flavor)
Instructions
- Add pinto beans and water (or vegetable broth) to the Instant Pot and stir to prevent sticking. Pressure cook on high for 35 minutes (it will take about 8 minutes for the Instant Pot to pressurize before cooking begins).
- Once the timer goes off, allow to naturally release for 15 minutes, then release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove lid once steam has fully escaped and strain off any excess cooking liquid.
- Enjoy immediately in soups, stews, chili, bowls, tacos, refried beans, baked beans, vegan sausage, stuffed peppers, and more! Store cooled leftovers in the refrigerator up to 5 days or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat in a saucepan on the stovetop, adding a little water, as needed, to prevent sticking.
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
*Total time includes active cook time, release time, and the time it takes for the Instant Pot to heat up (~8 minutes).
*Total time includes active cook time, release time, and the time it takes for the Instant Pot to heat up (~8 minutes).
Nutrition (1 of 4 servings)
Serving: 1 three-quarter-cup serving Calories: 183 Carbohydrates: 33.6 g Protein: 11.6 g Fat: 0.8 g Saturated Fat: 0.2 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3 g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.17 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 1 mg Potassium: 559 mg Fiber: 11.5 g Sugar: 0.4 g Vitamin A: 0 IU Vitamin C: 1.03 mg Calcium: 58.99 mg Iron: 2.68 mg
Cole says
I don’t know where I went wrong, I followed these instructions perfectly but my beans didn’t cook enough.
Hi Cole, is it possible your beans were old? That can cause them to have trouble softening.
Andy says
Do you increase cooking time for 3 cups of beans?
Nope! Cooking time remains the same. It will just take longer for the Instant Pot to pressurize/de-pressurize with a larger volume.
Deborah says
I am wondering if I can put fatback in to season my beans?
Hi Deborah, we haven’t tried that but you can add whatever you’d like for seasoning! Let us know how it goes!
Daniel says
I have been using this since I got my instant pot last year. Perfect results every time. My only modification is I add 2 bay leaves and a splash of liquid smoke to the pot.
Yay! Thanks for the great review and sharing your experience, Daniel!
Dawn says
Thank you so much for this recipe. I followed it exactly (except I doubled it-which is fine in an instant pot, with no changes in timing). I added 2 tsp salt after cooking. Perfect!
Yay! Thanks so much, Dawn!
Susan says
Perfect beans! So tender! My IP tends to run hotter too so I reduced the cooking time to 28 minutes Thank u! For your reliable recipes!
Yay! So glad this worked well for you, Susan. Thanks so much for the lovely review!