If you make anything from my site you have to make my Instant Pot Spicy Refried Beans! Beans, Beans the magical fruit, put them in your Instant Pot and get ready to eat.
I make refried beans every two weeks in my Instant Pot. It’s one of the items I meal prep before the week starts, I always have them on hand. They’re great for quick lunches (tostadas/burritos)and I love using leftovers in my Spanish Quinoa!
Refried beans make a very affordable meal to take to a friend if you want to spread the Instant Pot love! Who doesn’t love a good build your own Tostada bar?
There are so many different variations. For a super simple version I add pinto beans, homemade vegetable broth, minced onion, cumin, cayenne, and salt (add a little bit of leftover Jalapeño juice from a jar of pickled Jalapeños for an extra little something something!). It’s so easy and super delicious!
Instant Pot Spicy Refried Beans
INGREDIENTS
16oz dry Pinto Beans, soaked overnight in water
8-16 oz +/- Homemade Veggie Broth, just enough to barely cover beans.
Bacon grease from 1 package of bacon (optional, I rarely have this on hand but if you have it, USE IT, you’ll thank me.)
2 Jalapeños; chopped (optional)
1-2 tsp Cayenne, this makes them spicy, just the way I like them but if you don’t like heat OMIT! (you can also sub chipotle seasoning)
1 tbsp Cumin
1 tsp Salt
1/2 Bunch of cilantro stems; chopped or 3 tsp dry cilantro
1 Onion diced or 1/2 cup dry onion
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Add all ingredients to your pressure cooker, just barely cover beans with homemade vegetable broth. Close and lock lid. Make sure the vent valve is in the SEALING position.
2. Using the display manual select he MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK function. Use the +/- buttons to select 12 minutes.
3. When the time is up allow the pot to naturally release the pressure for 35 minutes or until the pin has dropped.
4. Go to town mashing those suckers with a potato masher or an immersion blender.
5. These last for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. They also freeze well so if you’ve made too much save them for another day!
Note: Consistency is dictated by how much liquid you add. You want to just barely cover them, even if some of them are peaking out, that’s okay.
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Instant Pot Spicy Refried Beans
Ingredients
- 16 oz pinto beans soaked overnight in water
- 16 oz +/- Homemade Veggie Broth just enough to barely cover beans.
- Bacon grease from 1 package of bacon optional, I rarely have this on hand but if you have it, USE IT, you'll thank me.
- 2 Jalapeños; chopped optional
- 1-2 tsp Cayenne this makes them spicy, just the way I like them but if you don't like heat OMIT! (you can also sub chipotle seasoning)
- 1 tbsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 Bunch of cilantro stems; chopped or 3 tsp dry cilantro
- 1 Onion diced or 1/2 cup dry onion
Instructions
-
Add all ingredients to your pressure cooker. Close and lock lid. Make sure the vent valve is in the SEALING position.
-
Using the display manual select he MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK function. Use the +/- buttons to select 12 minutes.
-
When the time is up allow the pot to naturally release the pressure for 35 minutes or until the pin has dropped.
-
Go to town mashing those suckers with a potato masher or an immersion blender.
-
These last for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. They also freeze well so if you’ve made too much save them for another day!
Recipe Notes
Note: Consistency is dictated by how much liquid you add. You want to just barely cover them, even if some of them are peaking out, that's okay.
In the refried bean recipe, approximately how much bacon grease do you add?
Approx. 1 package worth. 🙂 I edited it. Thank you for catching that!
This looks so good, cant wait to try it for this weekend… mmmm
So excited for your blog! This recipe is one I have to try. Thanks for sharing!
Do you soak in water or the veg broth? Do you cook in veg broth?
Great questions. I soak in water and then rinse. I cook in the broth.
I never thought of using cilantro stems to help flavor the beans! What a great idea! Thanks! I’ll be trying that!
I just made these. I forgot to soak the beans so I cooked them for 45 minutes. Heavenly.
I am SO glad you liked them! <3
Did you release naturally as well? If so, how long?
Yes, about 40 minutes.
Quick question… how big is the IP you use? Thanks
I have two of this one 🙂
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FLYWNYQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=insta0271-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B00FLYWNYQ&linkId=a033f05aee561b58c3d844969bb66958
The 6qt?
Sorry, yes. 🙂
What would you guess the total servings are and how much do you typically eat in one serving?
It totally depends on what you’re eating. If you’re eating them by themselves, as a burrito, as a tostada etc. All of this will influence which is why I didn’t put the serving size on this one. It makes about 6 cups and I’d say your serving size would be 1/2-1cup.
Thanks! Knowing it makes about 6 cups is perfect 🙂
I’m going to try this one next. Did you make the tortillas in the pic?
I did! Thanks for reminding me, I need to post that recipe! 🙂
I’m going to try this one next. Did you make the tortillas in the pic?
Hi Brittany. You use just the stems of cilantro not leaves? I just want to be sure. If I don’t have time to soak beans how long should I put it on for? Thanks so much 🙂
Hi Priti, Just the stems, no leaves. 🙂 I’ve never not soaked first so I’m unsure at what the time would be.
Thank you. Turned out perfect 🙂
I’m curious as to why you use just the stems and not the leaves. Thanks!
The stems actually have more flavor! 🙂
These are so so good, I didn’t make them as spicy but still yummy. We added it to grill veggies and made burritos!
I have made this recipe several times. My family loves it! This is now my go to refried bean recipe.
Should the pressure on manual be higher or low? About to start the cooking process!
High, the default setting. 🙂
I’m anxious to try these. I LOVE Mexican food. I also love having certain things on hand to throw meals together, such as you mention with the burritos and tostadas. If I were making a burrito, I would grab a large tortilla and start throwing stuff in it, but I’m sure that’s not super healthy. Could you share more on what you throw together, even if it’s posted as a separate recipe? I would love some simple ideas to go with these beans. Thanks!
That sounds like a lot of bacon fat…..from the whole pound?
The bacon fat is not essential. I haven’t eaten pork in over a year so I’ve been making them without for a long time. It just adds a little something if you have it on hand. 😉
What is the difference between dried and canned beans? Can use canned instead of dried in this?
How much bacon grease comes from a pound of bacon? We have a container of bacon grease but never paid attention to amour per batch.
It depends, usually about 1/4-1/2 a cup. 🙂
Great recipe. Can you use canned beans instead of dry beans? Thank you!
Sure, just add the seasonings and blend. No need to add water, or cook, just warm.
Hi! Is this 16 oz of DRIED beans, or 16 oz of beans after they have soaked and expanded? Thanks!
Before. 🙂
How long overnight do you soak? I guess like…about how many hours? I would probably start to soak around 8 at night and don’t know if I should leave them to soak until morning or wait until after work. Thanks!!
Best I ever had!!!!
This is my new go-to bean recipe! Soooo good! I’ve made it twice this week alone 🙂 The addition of cilantro is THE BOMB! Thanks for sharing