Description
This Instant Pot Refried Beans recipe delivers creamy, flavorful refried beans made easy with dried pinto beans cooked under pressure. The beans are sautéed with aromatic onion, jalapeño, and spices, then mashed and fried in lard to achieve authentic texture and richness, perfect as a side dish 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
- Heat Oil and Sauté Aromatics: Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add the 1 tbsp corn oil. Once hot, add the diced onion and sliced jalapeño. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion is tender and fragrant.
- Add Beans and Seasonings: Add the rinsed pinto beans, chicken broth, salt, garlic powder, and chili powder to the pot. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Pressure Cook Beans: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the valve is set to the sealed position. Cook on HIGH pressure for 45 minutes.
- Natural Pressure Release: Allow the pressure to release naturally for 20 minutes after cooking, then carefully release any remaining pressure manually. Remove the beans and cooking liquid from the pot into a separate bowl—note that they will be hot.
- Fry and Mash Beans: Return the Instant Pot liner to the pot and set to Sauté mode. Add the 3 tbsp of lard and let it melt until slightly bubbly and hot. Add the beans back in and fry them in the lard for a few minutes. Using a potato masher, mash the beans to your desired consistency while frying. When done, turn off the Instant Pot and serve.
Notes
- To double the recipe, double all ingredients but keep the cook time and natural pressure release time the same.
- Do not fill the Instant Pot more than halfway full before cooking to ensure proper pressure cooking.
- This recipe was tested in an 8-quart Instant Pot; smaller pots may require longer cook times due to faster pressurization.
- For a spicier version, include more jalapeño or add additional chili powder to taste.
- Substitute lard with vegetable shortening or bacon fat for different flavor variations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
