Instant Pot Pinto Beans

If you love hearty, comforting beans but don’t want to spend hours soaking and simmering them on the stove, this Instant Pot Pinto Beans recipe is the perfect solution. Using simple pantry ingredients and the pressure-cooking power of the Instant Pot, dried pinto beans transform into tender, flavorful beans in a fraction of the usual time. Smoky bacon, warm spices, and savory broth combine to create a rich and satisfying pot of beans that tastes like it simmered all day.

These beans are incredibly versatile and make a delicious side dish or a hearty base for burritos, tacos, rice bowls, or cornbread dinners. The bacon adds deep flavor while the spices give the beans a subtle kick. Best of all, there’s no soaking required—just rinse the beans, add everything to the pot, and let the Instant Pot do the work.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr
Additional Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 3 slices bacon
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 pound dried pinto beans, rinsed
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup chopped onions (optional)
  • 2 green chile peppers
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Directions

  1. Turn on the Instant Pot and select the Sauté function. Add the bacon slices and cook for about 4 to 6 minutes, turning once, until the bacon begins to crisp and releases its fat.
  2. Add the chicken broth, rinsed pinto beans, water, chopped onions (if using), green chile peppers, garlic powder, kosher salt, chili powder, cumin, and paprika to the pot.
  3. Close and lock the lid. Set the valve to the sealing position.
  4. Select High Pressure and set the timer for 45 minutes. The pressure cooker will take about 10 to 15 minutes to come to pressure before cooking begins.
  5. When the cooking time is finished, allow the pressure to release naturally according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This typically takes about 10 to 40 minutes.
  6. Carefully unlock and remove the lid. Remove the bacon and chile peppers from the pot, chop them to your desired size, and return them to the beans.
  7. Use a potato masher to lightly mash some of the beans until the mixture reaches your preferred thickness and texture. Stir well and serve warm.
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