Quick and Easy: Pinto Beans in Instant Pot

Making pinto beans in the Instant Pot is a game-changer for any home cook. It is a quick and easy way to cook the beans, leaving you with deliciously soft and flavorful beans. Whether you want to use the beans for refried beans, chili, salads or soups, the Instant Pot method is the best way to go.

To begin, start by rinsing the beans and discarding any debris, then soak them for at least 2 hours or overnight. Once the soaking period is over, drain and rinse the beans once again. Then, place the beans in the Instant Pot with water and a few seasonings of your choice. The cooking time will depend on the quantity of beans you are using, but it usually takes around 25 minutes on high pressure with natural release. After that, all you have to do is enjoy your perfectly cooked pinto beans. Keep on reading for a step-by-step guide on how to make delicious pinto beans.

The Ultimate Guide to Making Perfect Pinto Beans in Your Instant Pot

Pinto beans are a staple in many households, whether you’re a vegetarian or a meat-eater. They’re versatile, nutritious and tasty, making them a great addition to any meal. And with the help of an Instant Pot, you can make them quickly and without fuss. Here’s our ultimate guide to making perfect pinto beans in your Instant Pot!

Ingredients

First things first – you need to gather your ingredients. To make a classic bowl of pinto beans, you’ll need:

– 1 pound of dried pinto beans
– 6 cups of water
– 1 onion, chopped
– 4 cloves of garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
– 1/2 teaspoon of cumin

Preparation

Before you start cooking, you need to prepare your beans. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water and sort through them, removing any stones or debris. Then, let them soak in 6 cups of water overnight, or for at least 8 hours. This will help them cook more quickly and evenly.

Instructions

Now it’s time to get cooking! Follow these simple steps to make perfect pinto beans in your Instant Pot:

1. Drain the soaked beans and rinse them again.
2. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and cumin to your Instant Pot.
3. Pour in the drained beans and 6 cups of water.
4. Give everything a good stir to combine.
5. Close the lid of your Instant Pot and set it to high pressure for 25 minutes.
6. Once the timer goes off, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes.
7. After 10 minutes, carefully release any remaining pressure and open the lid.
8. Give the beans a taste and add more salt if needed.
9. Serve hot with rice or as a side dish.

Tips for Perfect Beans

To really take your pinto beans to the next level, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

– Make sure your beans are fully soaked before cooking.
– Don’t add too much salt at the beginning, as this can toughen the beans.
– Use fresh spices for the best flavor.
– Let the pressure release naturally for best results.
– If you prefer your beans to be more soupy, add an extra cup of water before cooking.
– Leftover beans can be stored in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months.

Why Use an Instant Pot?

An Instant Pot is the perfect tool for cooking dried beans quickly and easily. Unlike traditional stovetop methods, the pressure of the Instant Pot means that your beans will cook evenly and in less time. And with the sauté function, you can easily add extra flavors to your beans before cooking.

Final Thoughts

Making pinto beans in your Instant Pot is a breeze with these simple tips and instructions. Whether you’re using them in a classic bowl or as a flavorful side dish, you’ll love how quick and easy they are to make. So why not give it a go and see for yourself?

10 Steps to Cooking Perfect Pinto Beans in Your Instant Pot

Pinto beans are a delicious and healthy staple in many households. If you’re looking for a quicker way to cook them, the Instant Pot is a great tool to have at your disposal. Here are ten steps to cooking perfect pinto beans in your Instant Pot.

Step 1: Choose your beans carefully

When buying beans, look for packages that are uniform in size and color. Avoid any packages that have wrinkles, cracks, or insect holes. If you’re buying beans in bulk, make sure that they’re from a trusted source and have been stored properly.

Step 2: Rinse and sort your beans

Rinse your beans thoroughly in a colander under cold running water. Sort through the beans to remove any dirt, debris, or discolored beans that may be present.

Step 3: Soak overnight

Soaking your beans overnight will not only reduce your cooking time, but it will also make them more digestible. Before soaking, put your beans in a large bowl and add enough water to cover them by at least two inches.

Step 4: Drain and rinse the beans

Drain and rinse your soaked beans thoroughly under cold running water. Make sure to remove any remaining debris or loose skins.

Step 5: Add beans to Instant Pot

Add your drained and rinsed beans to the Instant Pot along with enough water or broth to cover them by at least one inch.

Step 6: Add seasoning and aromatics

Add your desired seasoning and aromatics to the pot. This can include onions, garlic, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and salt.

Step 7: Set the timer

Close the Instant Pot lid and set the timer to cook for 30 minutes on high pressure.

Step 8: Natural release

After the cooking cycle is complete, wait for the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for at least 10-15 minutes before opening the lid.

Step 9: Check for tenderness

Check the tenderness of your beans and, if needed, cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until they reach your desired level of softness.

Step 10: Serve and enjoy

Serve your delicious and tender pinto beans as a side dish, in a burrito, or as a topping for rice. Enjoy!

Getting Your Ingredients Ready

Before starting the process of making pinto beans in an instant pot, you need to ensure that you have all the necessary ingredients available. These ingredients include 1lb of dry pinto beans, 1 onion finely chopped, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 bay leaf, 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, 6 cups of water, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once you have all the ingredients, it’s time to move to the next step.

Sorting and Cleaning the Pinto Beans

The first step in making delicious pinto beans in an instant pot is sorting and cleaning the beans. Spread out the beans on a flat surface and remove any stones, debris, or discolored beans. After that, take the pinto beans and rinse them in cool water until the water runs clear. Once your beans are clean, it is time to move to the next step.

Soaking the Beans

Soaking the beans is important as it helps to soften them and reduce cooking time. One way to soak your pinto beans is to place them in a large pot and cover them with water by an inch. Bring the water to boil over high heat for two minutes and then remove from heat and let it sit for one hour. Once the beans have been soaked for an hour you can drain and rinse off the beans.

Sautéing the Onion and Garlic

Sautéing the onion and garlic in the Instant Pot before adding the beans and spices helps release their flavors and aromas, which adds depth to the pinto beans. Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and wait for it to heat up. Add one tablespoon of olive oil and wait for it to heat up. Next, add one finely chopped onion and one teaspoon of garlic powder and sauté until the onions are translucent. Be careful not to burn the garlic as it will become bitter.

Adding the Beans and Spices

Now that your onion and garlic are sautéed, it’s time to add the soaked pinto beans, six cups of water, one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, one bay leaf, one tablespoon of chili powder, and one tablespoon of ground cumin to the Instant Pot. Stir all the ingredients well and close the lid. Select the manual mode and set the timer for 30 minutes. Once the timer goes off, the pinto beans will be perfectly cooked and ready to eat.

Enjoy Your Delicious Pinto Beans!

Now you know how easy it is to make tasty pinto beans in your Instant Pot! These beans are perfect for adding to soups, salads, and Mexican dishes. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking and enjoy your meal! Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and we hope to see you again soon for more delicious recipes and cooking tips. Happy cooking!