Description
This Instant Pot Refried Beans recipe delivers creamy, flavorful beans with minimal effort. Using dried pinto beans cooked under pressure with spices and finished by frying in lard creates a traditional and rich side dish perfect for Mexican meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp corn oil or vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1/2 large jalapeño, sliced (optional)
- 2 cups pinto beans, dried, rinsed and picked through
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tbsp salt
- 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 3 tbsp lard, found in the baking aisle
Instructions
- Prepare aromatics: Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add 1 tablespoon of corn or vegetable oil. Once hot, add the diced onion and sliced jalapeño. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion becomes tender.
- Add beans and seasoning: Add the rinsed pinto beans, chicken broth, salt, garlic powder, and chili powder to the pot. Secure the lid and ensure the valve is set to the sealed position.
- Pressure cook beans: Cook on HIGH pressure for 45 minutes. After cooking, allow a natural pressure release for 20 minutes, then release any remaining pressure manually. Carefully remove the beans and liquid and transfer to a separate bowl.
- Mash and fry beans: Return the Instant Pot liner to the pot and set to Sauté mode. Add the lard and melt it until slightly bubbly and hot. Add the beans back to the pot and fry them in the lard for a few minutes. Use a potato masher to mash the beans to your desired consistency while frying. Turn off the Instant Pot when done and serve.
Notes
- To double the recipe, simply double all ingredients but keep the cook time and natural pressure release time the same.
- Do not fill your Instant Pot more than half full to allow for proper pressure cooking.
- This recipe was tested in an 8-quart Instant Pot; smaller models may require a slightly longer cooking time.
- Jalapeño is optional and can be omitted for a milder flavor.
- Use chicken broth for richer flavor, but water can be substituted if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
