Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Pinto Beans Instant Pot recipe is a tender and simple recipe, which is made with dry pinto beans and onion. It’s a classic, foolproof recipe, ready in about an hour and 20 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Pinto Beans Instant Pot Ingredients
- 1 pound dry pinto beans (about 2 cups)
- 6 cups water
- 1 small yellow onion, diced (about ½ cup)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
How To Make Pioneer Woman Pinto Beans in the Instant Pot
- Prep the beans: Rinse the dry pinto beans and pick out any small stones or debris.
- Combine ingredients in Instant Pot: Put the rinsed beans into the Instant Pot. Add the water, diced onion, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Give it a quick stir.
- Pressure cook: Secure the lid and turn the steam release valve to the “Sealing” position. Set the Instant Pot to “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” on high pressure for 50 minutes.
- Natural release: Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. This means you just leave the pot alone and don’t touch the valve.
- Finish and serve: After 15 minutes, carefully turn the valve to the “Venting” position to quick release any remaining pressure. Once the pin drops, open the lid. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Serve the beans with their flavorful broth or drain them as desired.
Recipe Tips
- Do I have to soak the beans first? No, and that’s the magic of the Instant Pot! This recipe is for unsoaked, dry beans. If you do choose to soak them overnight, you can reduce the pressure cooking time to just 15 minutes.
- How to add more flavor? This is a great base recipe. To kick it up a notch, try substituting the water with chicken or vegetable broth. You can also add other spices like 1 teaspoon of chili powder and 3/4 teaspoon of cumin for a Tex-Mex flavor.
- Can I make these into refried beans? Yes, easily! After cooking, drain the beans but reserve the cooking liquid. Use a potato masher or an immersion blender to mash the beans, adding splashes of the reserved liquid back in until you reach your desired creamy consistency.
- What if my beans are still a little hard? Sometimes older beans can take a little longer to cook. If your beans aren’t as tender as you’d like after the cooking cycle, just put the lid back on and cook them on high pressure for another 5-10 minutes.
What To Serve With Pinto Beans
These simple, flavorful beans are a staple side dish in Southern and Southwestern cuisine. They are perfect served with:
- Hot, buttered cornbread
- As a side for BBQ pulled pork or brisket
- As a base for tacos, burritos, or nachos
- Simply over a bed of fluffy white rice
How To Store Pinto Beans
- Refrigerate: Store leftover cooked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator with their cooking liquid. They will keep for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Allow the beans to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag with their liquid. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Pinto Beans Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 0.5 cup
- Calories: 162kcal
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 246mg
- Fiber: 7g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Why let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes?
A natural pressure release allows the beans to finish cooking gently as the pressure slowly subsides. It also helps them to absorb more liquid and maintain their shape, resulting in a better texture than a quick release alone.
Can I double this recipe in my Instant Pot?
Yes, you can easily double the recipe in a 6-quart or larger Instant Pot without changing the cooking time. Just be sure not to fill the pot more than two-thirds full.
Is it safe to add salt before cooking the beans?
Yes. While it’s an old myth that salting beans before cooking makes them tough, modern testing has shown that it’s perfectly fine and actually helps to season the beans more thoroughly from the inside out.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Pot Roast Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Pot Roast Recipe
Pioneer Woman Pinto Beans Instant Pot Recipe
Description
A simple, foolproof method for cooking perfectly tender and flavorful pinto beans from scratch in the Instant Pot, with no soaking required.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rinse the dry pinto beans and pick out any debris.
- Place the beans, water, onion, bay leaf, salt, and pepper in the Instant Pot.
- Secure the lid, seal the valve, and cook on high pressure for 50 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes.
- Quick release any remaining pressure, then remove the lid and discard the bay leaf.
- Serve the beans with their broth or drain as desired.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThe main benefit of this recipe is that no pre-soaking of the beans is required!u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor even more flavor, substitute the water with chicken or vegetable broth and add spices like chili powder and cumin.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe natural pressure release step is important for tender beans that hold their shape, so don’t skip it.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThese beans are perfect for mashing into homemade refried beans.u003c/liu003e
