Instant Pot Refried Beans (17 cents/cup)

Published: Sep 16, 2021 · Modified: Apr 4, 2023 by Jessica Fisher

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Cook up a pot of healthier, Instant Pot Refried Beans. They come together quickly and easily in the pressure cooker, no soaking required. (You can slow cook them or simmer on the stovetop, too.)

These seasoned refried beans are delicious for serving as a side dish, a base to Homemade Mexican Bean Tostadas, a filling for Green Chile Burritos, or a main component in Six-Layer Nachos or Homemade Seven Layer Dip.

bowl of refried beans in flowered bowl on dinner table.

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Traditional refried beans are cooked pinto beans that are mashed and fried in oil, often times lard. They are uber-tasty when made homemade; mediocre when they come in a can.

Beans in any form are such a good cheap eat, it’s in your best interests to make them a regular part of your Frugal Pantry. So learn to make them tasty and nutritious with this healthier refried beans recipe you can make in the slow cooker.

Why Make This

It’s cheaper than canned. Cooking dried beans is the cheaper alternative to buying canned beans. you don’t have all the additives/BPA issues that come with canned products.

It’s more nutritious than commercial beans. While beans are considered highly nutritious and heart-healthy, the lard or fat added to them isn’t. Making these healthier refried beans gives you the good without the extras you want to avoid.

They’re super tasty. These healthier refried beans are super delicious and full of flavor from spices alone. You can stir in some olive oil for extra flavor, but I’ve found that you don’t really need it, especially if you’re going to serve the beans with other things like cheese, salsa, sour cream, etc.

You cam replace the convenient can of beans with a tastier, cheaper, and healthier homemade alternative.

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Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make these healthier refried beans in the instant pot, slow cooker, or stovetop:

beans – Typically refried beans are made with pintos, which you can buy dried in bags at the grocery store. You can also make this dish with Instant Pot Black Beans. Leftover beans are good to use in my versatile Instant Pot Bean Soup.

water – You need adequate water to rehydrate the beans and cook them until tender.

spices – The spices are simple: ground chile, salt, and garlic powder. Feel free to add other herbs and spices according to your preferences, such as Mexican oregano, ground cumin, or ground coriander.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make these easy, healthier, Instant Pot Refried Beans:

1. Sort the beans

pinto beans on sheet pan for sorting with a small pile of discarded beans on table.

beans in fine mesh sieve draining over metal mixing bowl.

Since beans are an agricultural product, they often end up with rocks, rotten beans, or other debris in the mix. Lay them out on a sheet pan and sort through them.

If you have the time, you can soak the beans for 8 to 24 hours. Some say this makes them easier to digest. It definitely makes them cook better in the slow cooker or on the stovetop.

If you’re cooking them in the instant pot, you don’t need to soak them, but you can if you like.

Prior to cooking the beans, be sure to rinse them well.

2. Cook the beans.

beans in instant pot insert, covered with water.

cooked and drained beans in instant pot insert.

To Cook in the Instant Pot:

Rinse and drain the beans and place them in the pressure cooker insert. Cover with water. Secure the lid and close the pressure valve.
Cook 22 minutes on manual. Allow for the pressure to naturally release.

To Cook in the Slow Cooker:

Soak the beans overnight, covered by two inches of water.
Rinse and drain the soaked beans and place them in a 5-quart slow cooker. Add 8 cups of water. The beans should be covered by about 2 inches of water. Cover and cook 6 to 12 hours on LOW. (I like to do this overnight.)

To Cook in a Pan on the Stovetop:

Rinse and drain the soaked beans and place them in a large stockpot. Add 8 cups of water. The beans should be covered by about 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil. Once bubby, reduce the heat to simmer, and cookon low heat, covered for 2 to 3 hours, or until very tender.

3. Mash the beans.

mashing the beans in instant pot insert.

blending the beans in instant pot insert with an immersion blender.

Drain the beans and mash them to the texture you prefer. For smoother beans, use an immersion blender. Add water to thin it to your desired consistency.

4. Season the beans.

adding spices to refried beans in instant pot insert.

seasoned refried beans in instant pot insert.

Stir in the onion powder, chili powder, and salt. Adjust seasonings to taste. Serve hot as a side dish or use in your favorite recipes.

Storage Instructions

Store the beans in 2-cup portions in plastic containers with lids or pint-size freezer bags and store them in the freezer.

FAQs

Do you have to soak beans before cooking in the instant pot?

Soaking beans is definitely necessary when cooking in a slow cooker or on the stovetop, but you don’t have to soak them to cook them in the instant pot. Just sort, rinse, and cook!

What kind of beans are used for refried beans?

Typically pinto beans are used for refried beans but you can also make refried black beans as well.

Are refried beans healthy?

Beans are incredibly good for you, but the lard and fat typically used in refried beans can be unhealthful for some people. Thankfully, this recipe for healther refried beans is fat-free and vegan as well.

Can you freeze refried beans?

Refried beans are a great thing to freeze to keep on hand. Just divide into 2-cup portions and freeze. Each portion will be an approximate substitution for a can of commercial refried beans.

Recipe Costs

Knowing how much it costs you to prepare a recipe can help you decide if it’s the type of recipe to make regularly or one you might want to save for special occasions. Let’s crunch some numbers and see how this recipe pencils out.

One pound of dried pintos costs less than a dollar at my local store. You can get a lower price if you purchase beans in bulk.

That pound makes the equivalent of three to four cans of beans, making it a super great deal, about 33cents/can-size portion.

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