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MEGA flavorful Instant Pot Mexican Refried Beans. Take this classic Mexican dish to the next level but making it fresh from scratch!
Making homemade beans from scratch may sound like an intimidating task which often leads to the consumption of canned beans. While in reality, cooking homemade beans is incredibly easy, much healthier and taste super fresh and flavorful.
As a Brazilian native I know a thing of two about beans…
Homemade Beans v. Canned Beans
Although you might be required to invest some time (and planning) when it comes to making homemade beans, the outcome is serious far apart to even compare. Fresh homemade beans are incredibly delicious, fresh and flavorful, you can tell by the first bite. They also freeze really well, and you can separate into batches to use throughout the week(s) or month(s)
Canned beans has it’s benefits such as convenience and I’ll say this -there are a few good brands out there. However I wouldn’t recommend that you strictly rely on canned beans because they tend to be high in sodium and added unwanted ingredients to preserve it’s long shelf life, as well as the can itself which must be BPA free.
Here are a few favorite BEANS recipe to try:
Ranchero Beans Breakfast Burrito
There are so many kind of beans out there, I don’t know which to choose!
Fair enough! As much as I like to think that I’ve tried every single type of beans, once in a while I see a variety that I have’t tried before. But if you just want to get your feed wet and start introducing beans to your family, this is a good place to start;
Pinto Beans – a common variety of beans, it has a softer texture and perfect to eat mashed, in soups or broth-y recipes, also used in the classic Mexican refried beans.
Black Beans – also a common variety, used in worldwide cuisines. Black beans can hold it’s shape better then pinto and therefore it’s a great option for salads. Best known as the “beans” for Brazilian feijoada.
Kidney Beans – a little larger in size compared to pinto and black beans. Kidney beans resembles the shape and color of a human kidney, and therefore it’s name. Kidney beans are widely used to make Chili although often mixed with other types of beans.
Today we are going to use pinto beans to make the classic Mexican Refried Beans in the instant pot. This is a rather quick process because we are pre-soaking our beans, which not only helps to soften the beans also to eliminate the indigestible complex sugars that cause gas.
This Instant Pot Mexican Refried Beans is MEGA flavorful, fresh and delicious. Serve with brown rice, grilled veggies and meat for a HEALTHY and fulfilling meal. But if you want to take it up a notch, be sure to serve alongside this Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice. Hmmm sooo good!!
Instant Pot Mexican Refried Beans
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups dried pinto beans, soaked overnight
- 4 oz pancetta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cups filtered water
- 1 pinch salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cumin
Instructions
INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS
- Turn the instant pot on sauté mode. When hot add in oil and pancetta. Let the pancetta sauté for up to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile drain beans from overnight water and wash beans thoroughly. Add beans and water to instant pot.
- Turn off sauté function. Close the lid and seal the vent valve. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. When done allow for natural pressure release.
- Carefully open the pot. You might want/ need to remove some of the liquid. If needed you can add back the bean liquid during the blending/ mashing process. It’s best to start with less liquid and add if needed* I removed about 1 cup of liquid and didn’t need to add it back.
- Add in the spices and seasoning. Using an immersion blender, work it for 1-2 minutes or until you have reached a consistency of your preference.
- Serve with fresh cilantro and jalapeño. Refrigerate remaining refried beans in an air tight glass container.
STOVE TOP INSTRUCTIONS (NO PRESSURE COOKER!)
- Heat oil in a large pot, preferably a heavier pot such as Dutch oven or cast iron. Add pancetta (can be replaced for bacon or pork belly) let it sauté for up to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile drain beans from overnight water and wash thoroughly. Add beans and 6 cups water to the pot.
- Turn the heat down to medium/ medium-high and cover. Cook for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
- Make sure there is some liquid in the pot, otherwise add some water (about 1 cup of liquid needed, either from bean broth or added). Add in the spices and seasoning. Using an immersion blender, work it for 1-2 minutes or until you have reached a consistency of your preference.
Notes
Have you ever sauteed onion with the pancetta?
yes I have. It’s really good too and that’s definitely an option if you want to try.
Never made fresh refried beans before. Thanks for showing me how it’s done. My daughter is a vegetarian can this be made without the pancetta and what would you substitute to add flavor?
Honestly, the pancetta doesn’t make a huge difference. Yes, it adds to it but without it you will do just fine. No substitutions needed. Half of the time I don’t use pancetta or pork belly (which is another fat/flavoring often used) at all. You can adjust the spices as needed also for more flavor. Hope you like it!
Why filtered water? I would love to make this, but i don’t have a filtration system. Have you tried it tap water, or only with the filtered water?
You can use whatever water you normally use to cook with (rice, pasta, etc…) It’s just a way to emphasize the use of clean water, which unfortunately and sadly doesn’t always come from tap water. Hope this helps 🙂
What can be used if you don’t have an instant pot and how would it need to be adjusted?
Hi Tony! Cooking beans without a pressure cooker is definitely possible, it will just take longer. Unfortunately I don’t have the time specification for you (I am thinking I’ll make it again this week on a regular pot and add this information to the recipe). But since you can open a regular pot while cooking your beans, I’ll say keep cooking your beans until they are soft almost mushy. My guess is that it will take you close to 2 hours but again, not 100% sure… Don’t worry about overcooking because you will blend/ mash your beans anyway. The softer the better, thick broth end result. Let me know if this helps! 🙂
Thank you!
I love this recipe, but i don’t have a instant pot. Is there a way i can make this in a regular pot, i know it will take longer but that is all i have.
Tiffany yes you can make it in a regular pot. Sadly I don’t have the timing for you, but since you can open the pot to check it, I would say keep cooking until the beans are soft (almost mushy). Don’t worry about overcooking it since you are going to blend/ mash. Look for a thick broth end result and really soft beans, however long that may be. I’ve been cooking beans my whole life but always in some sort of pressure cooker, however I have seen and know that you can cook in a regular pot. Good luck, and let me know how it turns out! 🙂
Oh this looks so awesome and easy! Plus I love the fact that you are conscious of making it a healthy dish. Saving this for later, found it on Pinterest and I’m going to go see if I can find you on IG. Thank you!
Hi Nataly!! I am so happy that you liked my IP refried beans, it has been a success not only among my family and friends but online as well. See you on IG 🙂
Mm… One of my favourite recipes on your site. So good!
Since I am the only one in the house to eat refried beans can these be canned? How long would you suggest. My power pressure cooker also cans. I would like to use the small jelly jars.
Thanks
Hi Marcie! I haven’t canned these myself but I don’t see why not. I usually save mine in a glass container and refrigerate and/ or freeze is needed. Let me know how this works out for you, and I hope you like the recipe.
I am in especially to avoid processed food as much as possible. These look delicious! THX
Hi Linda, good for you! That’s something we should all try to do 🙂 Hope you like it 🙂
I followed the instant recipe exactly as written and the 3 cups water evaporated, saw a burn warning opened the pot and the beans were crispy?
Hi Susan, so sorry to hear! this is the first burn experience I hear about this recipe, I mean there is plenty of liquid. I don’t fully understand what triggers the burn message, I even heard some say that it could be the silicone ring that needs replacement. Not sure?! But I do hope you will try this recipe again, it is really good many have tried it successfully. Sometimes I feel like the IP has a mind of its own, lol 🙂