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How to Make the Best Instant Pot Pinto Beans

Get the printable recipe with options for using soaked and unsoaked beans

June 24, 2021 By Mary's Nest Leave a Comment

How to Make the Best Instant Pot Pinto Beans

Watch the Best Instant Pot Pinto Beans Recipe video

This recipe for the best Instant Pot Pinto Beans includes the no soaking method, which only takes 30 minutes to cook! Learn more about Tex Mex Pinto Beans and get a printable recipe with options for using soaked and unsoaked beans, as well as instructions for making Pinto Beans in the Instant Pot, stovetop, and slow cooker.

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First Taste of Pinto Beans in Central Texas

The chance to enjoy a dish of Pinto Beans was a new experience for me when I moved to Texas. I grew up on the East coast with Navy Beans and Baked Beans. And with my mom’s Italian cooking, a favorite bean in our house was ceci or what are commonly known as Chick Peas or Garbanzo Beans.

Flavorful Tex-Mex Pinto Beans

I was introduced to Pinto Beans the first time my sweet husband took me to a barbecue joint in central Texas. And, oh my…they were delicious! I especially loved adding a bit of raw chopped onion on top.

Tex-Mex Pinto Beans are creamy and flavorful with a bit of heat thanks to a jalapeño and a mixture of spices, including cumin. And when it comes to adding a bit of chili powder to my pinto beans, I love using ancho chili powder. It’s my latest favorite spice!

Fast Pinto Beans in the Instant Pot

This Pinto Beans recipe is the best because it is both delicious and fast, thanks to the Instant Pot. You’ll love the richness of the beans and the delightful spice. If you use the no soaking method, these beans can take only 30 minutes to cook.

However, traditional cooks often soak their beans before cooking them, since soaking helps to reduce the phytic acid in legumes. If you decide that you do want to soak your beans overnight, your cook time the next day will only be 15 minutes!

Should You Add Salt to Your Pinto Beans?

When it comes to adding salt to Pinto Beans—or any beans—when they are cooking, home cooks will have different opinions.

Some recipes will say that it’s fine to add salt to the cooking water. Other recipes will firmly state not to do it because the beans will take forever to cook, if ever! Other recipes will say that you can brine your dried beans in salted water when you soak them, but that you should rinse your brined beans well before cooking them.

So what are we home cooks to do? Based on my experience, I find that beans are at their tender best when they are cooked without salt.

As to brining, I have tried soaking dried beans with and without a brine, and to be honest with you, I have found there to be little difference in the final taste. My advice is to simply salt your beans to taste once they are cooked.

Essential Salts for Your Prepper Pantry

In the following video, I share my favorite salts to stock in your Prepper Pantry and use in your traditional foods kitchen. Plus, I share which salts have the least amount of microplastics. As you may have already guessed, we want to reduce the amount of microplastics we consume as much as possible!

  • The Best Salts with the Least Amount of Microplastics

Chicken and Turkey in the Instant Pot

Want more ideas for what to cook in your Instant Pot in addition to Pinto Beans? Then be sure to check out the videos in the following sections. In these recipe videos, I share detailed step-by-step instructions to help you successfully make meals with your Instant Pot.

And these instructions have been well tested since they come directly from the manufacturer! Yes, I called Instant Pot and asked their experts the best way to cook a chicken and more in their versatile pressure cooker.

Instant Pot Chicken Recipe Video
  • How to Cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot – The Right Way!

And I didn’t forget turkey, especially if you want to make Thanksgiving a breeze. You can also cook up turkey any time of the year to easily add extra white meat for your dinner table. Cooking a turkey breast in the Instant Pot is not just fast, it produces flavorful and tender meat that’s never dry!

Mary holding a cooked turkey from an Instant Pot.
  • How to Cook a Turkey Breast in the Instant Pot

Instant Pot Bone Broth Recipes

If you have been with me for a while, you know that I love to make bone broth. And I will be honest with you, I was skeptical about making bone broth in the Instant Pot. I was worried that the high pressure would diminish the nutritional benefits of bone broth.

But after I spoke with the customer service folks at Instant Pot, I learned that to guarantee that my bone broth would come out rich and gelatinous, I should set my Instant Pot pressure to low, not high.

And they were right! Be sure to watch the videos below to learn more tips on how to guarantee that the bone broth in your Instant Pot comes out great every time! I have you covered with Instant Pot recipes for:

  • Beef Bone Broth
  • Chicken Bone Broth
  • Turkey Bone Broth
Instant Pot Beef Bone Broth Recipe Video
  • Instant Pot Beef Bone Broth That Gels Every Time
Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth Recipe Video
  • Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth That Gels Every Time
  • Instant Pot Turkey Bone Broth that Gels Every Time

More Instant Pot Recipes

Have you struggled with getting your Mac and Cheese recipe to come out tasting great? I sure did. But through trial and error (and a little help from the Instant Pot customer service folks), I discovered the secret to perfect Instant Pot Mac and Cheese every time. And in the video below, I share it with you!

  • Instant Pot Mac and Cheese – The Right Way!

You’ll also love making this super mineral broth vegetable soup and corned beef and cabbage (especially for St. Patrick’s Day!) in the following recipe videos.

  • Instant Pot Super Mineral Broth Vegetable Soup
  • How to Make Corned Beef and Cabbage in the Instant Pot

How to Clean Your Instant Pot

And at the end of the day, my Instant Pot deep cleaning video will give you all the essential tips for the best clean-up. Once again, I contacted the folks at Instant Pot to find out the right way to clean their handy kitchen appliance. I also learned the best way to get odors out of the silicone sealing ring.

  • How to Clean Your Instant Pot – The Right Way!

Serve Your Pinto Beans with Cornbread

You can serve your Instant Pot Pinto Beans with a Tex-Mex kick as a side dish, wrapped in a corn tortilla, or poured over cornbread. In the following video, I show you how to make a whole grain, sweet buttermilk cornbread in a cast-iron skillet.

Cornbread Skillet Recipe Video
  • Cornbread Skillet Recipe – Whole Grain Sweet Buttermilk Cornbread

Download Your Free 36-Page Pantry List

Be sure to download your free 36-Page Essential Traditional Foods Pantry List. Pinto Beans and other dried beans play an important role in stocking your working pantry and long-term storage.

This comprehensive eBook will be a valuable tool in your traditional foods kitchen, especially if you are making the transition away from a processed foods kitchen!

  • FREE 36 Page Traditional Foods Pantry List – Printable Pantry Staples List

More Bean Recipes

To learn how to properly cook any type of dried bean to maximize digestion and the assimilation of nutrients, watch my tutorial video below.

  • How to Cook Dried Beans – The Right Way – For Maximum Nutrition

And if you’re ready to go all-in and learn how to not only soak beans but also sprout them, be sure to check out the following video that’s part of my Mastering the Basics of Traditional Nutrient-Dense Foods Cooking Series.

How to Soak and Sprout Beans YouTube video
  • How to Soak and Sprout Beans – Techniques for Seasonal Differences

Have you seen those bags of mixed dried beans at your grocery store and always wondered how to best cook them to turn them into a tasty soup? I show you how in the following video. Plus, I throw out the packaged seasoning that comes with the dried beans and replace it with a healthier mix of seasonings!

  • Best Bean Soup with Ham Recipe – Easy 15 Bean Soup

Kitchen Academy Videos

Are you looking for more traditional foods videos? I invite you to join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy. Members of this optional paid YouTube community get access to exclusive videos, live streams, and other members-only perks. Plus, your YouTube comments include a special members-only badge.

JOIN NOW
And become a Traditional Foods Kitchen Pioneer

In the following members-only video, I talk about how to Mix and Match Easy Weeknight Meals.

  • Mix and Match for Easy Weeknight Meals

Trending Posts on Mary’s Nest

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  • Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy 2023 Member Update
  • How to Make a Turmeric Golden Milk Spice Mix

Stay in Touch with Mary’s Nest

  1. Subscribe to My YouTube Channel for Traditional Foods Videos (Free) - When you subscribe, be sure to click on the notification bell that will let you know each time I upload a new video.

  2. Subscribe to Mary’s Traditional Foods Newsletter (Free) - Get a free eBook for signing up: How to Stock Your Essential Traditional Foods Four-Corners Pantry.

  3. Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy (Optional Paid) - For more detailed videos, live streams, and exclusive members-only perks, join my YouTube membership community.

I look forward to having you join me in my Texas Hill Country Kitchen!

Love,
Mary ♥
Print Recipe

Instant Pot Pinto Beans

This recipe for the best Instant Pot Pinto Beans includes the no soaking method, which only takes 30 minutes to cook.
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Optional Soaking Time12 hrs
Total Time12 hrs 35 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Keyword: Instant Pot Pinto Beans, Pinto Beans
Servings: 12 Half cup servings
Author: Mary’s Nest

Equipment

  • 6-Quart or 8-Quart Instant Pot

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Dried pinto beans Rinse the beans well and pick them over to remove any debris. Beans may be soaked overnight or not soaked before cooking.
  • 1 large Onion, peeled and diced
  • 4 cloves Garlic, peeled and minced
  • 1 medium Jalapeño pepper, minced For less heat, remove seeds and membrane.
  • 1 tsp Chili powder I used ancho chili powder in the recipe video.
  • 1 tsp Cumin, ground
  • 1 tsp Coriander, ground
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper, ground
  • 4-5 cups Water
  • 1-2 tsp Salt

Instructions

Stovetop and Slow Cooker Instructions:

  • For instructions on how to cook pinto beans on the stovetop or the slow cooker, refer to the "Recipe Notes" below.

Instant Pot Instructions:

  • Add pinto beans to the liner of the Instant Pot.
  • If beans have not been soaked overnight, add 5 cups of water to the Instant Pot along with the additional ingredients, except the salt, and stir well to combine. Close and lock the Instant Pot lid in place. Set the Instant Pot to the Pressure Cook (or Manual) setting and select HIGH pressure. Set the cook time to 30 minutes. When the cook time is finished, I recommend that you allow the pressure to come down naturally for the best results. Once cooked, season the Pinto Beans with salt to taste.
  • If the beans have been soaked overnight, add 4 cups of water to the Instant Pot along with the additional ingredients, except the salt, and stir well to combine. Close and lock the Instant Pot lid in place. Set the Instant Pot to the Pressure Cook (or Manual) setting and select HIGH pressure. Set the cook time to 15 minutes. When the cook time is finished, I recommend that you allow the pressure to come down naturally for the best results. Once cooked, season the pinto beans with salt to taste. (Watch the recipe video to see the process using soaked beans.)
  • Pinto beans can be served as a side dish, wrapped in a corn tortilla, or poured over cornbread.
  • Pinto beans will stay fresh, refrigerated in an airtight container for approximately 4 days. When stored in a freezer-proof container in the freezer, your pinto beans will stay fresh for approximately 5 months.

Video

Notes

Instructions for cooking Pinto Beans on the stovetop: (Soaked or not soaked) Bring the beans to a boil over high heat, then reduce the temperature to low and add all the additional ingredients except the salt. Allow the pinto beans to simmer until they are  tender when pressed against the side of the pot with a spoon. This will take approximately 2 to 3 hours, depending on the size and age of the beans, as well as whether they have been soaked or not soaked beforehand. Add additional water to the beans as needed during the cooking time if they appear dry. Once cooked, season the beans with salt to taste.
Instructions for cooking Pinto Beans in the slow cooker: (Soaked or not soaked) Add the dry beans to your slow cooker along with the water and all the additional ingredients except the salt. Cook the beans on your slow cooker’s low setting until they are tender. This will take be between 3 and 6 hours, depending on the size of the beans and age of the beans, as well as whether they have been soaked or not soaked beforehand. Once cooked, season the beans with salt to taste.
 
Find this recipe and video at https://marysnest.com/how-to-make-the-best-instant-pot-pinto-beans/
Copyright © 2021 Mary’s Nest, LLC, All Rights Reserved

Shop for items used in this blog post or video

Favorite Kitchen Supplies

  • Favorite Aprons
  • Ancho Chili Powder
  • Pinto Beans
  • 10-Piece Glass Bowl Set
  • 8-Quart Instant Pot
  • 6-Quart Instant Pot
  • 8-Quart Slow-Cooker
  • Lodge 10″ Cast Iron Skillet
  • Chef’s Knife

More Kitchen Supplies with Promo Codes

  • Mockmill Grain Grinder and Whole Grains (including Einkorn, Emmer, and Spelt)

Use my Mockmill affiliate link for a special one-time 5% discount on Mockmill Stone Grain Mill products, including Ancient Grains, like Einkorn, Emmer, and Spelt. (The Mockmill discount will appear when you checkout.)

  • Masontops Fermentation Kit

Use promo code MARYSNST for a one-time 15% off Masontops and Breadsmart products on Amazon.com.

Amazon Shop and Shopping Guide

  • Visit Mary’s Nest Amazon Shop
  • Visit my Shopping Guide page
    Learn where I buy my beef bones, electric grain mills, sprouted grains, and more…and get special discounts for Mary’s Nest visitors, including from US Wellness Meats, Mockmill, Masontops, and Cultures for Health.

Recommended Reading

  • The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook
  • Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and Diet Dictocrats
  • Deep Nutrition
  • Spontaneous Healing: How to Discover and Embrace Your Body’s Natural Ability to Maintain and Heal Itself

**Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, a medical professional, a dietician, or a nutritionist. All content found on the MarysNest.com website, including text, images, videos, eBooks or eGuides, social media, or other formats, were created solely for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or proper nutritional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have watched in a video or read on this website. Use caution when following the recipe in this video. The creator and publisher of this video and website will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of this recipe and method or any other recipe and method on this website or corresponding video channel.

Filed Under: Beans, Dried Beans, How to Make Pinto Beans, Instant Pot Tagged With: Beans, Instant Pot, Instant Pot Pinto Beans, Pinto Beans, Tex-Mex Pinto Beans

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