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Instant Pot Pinto Beans (No Pre-Soaking)

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Instant Pot pinto beans are delicious, simple and easy! I will show you how to cook dry pinto beans in the Instant Pot, and there is no pre-soaking required.

Instant Pot pinto beans are delicious, simple and easy! I will show you how to cook dry pinto beans in the Instant Pot, and there is no pre-soaking required. | APinchOfHealthy.com

Sometimes I think to myself: I couldn’t possibly publish this on the blog because it is just TOO simple. It is barely even a recipe!

I will show you how to cook dry pinto beans in the Instant Pot, and there is no pre-soaking required! Delicious, simple and easy! | APinchOfHealthy.com

But over and over again those types of recipes prove to be your favorites!

So I am happy to introduce to you The Easiest Pinto Beans Recipe Ever. 🤓👍🏻

Sometimes I prepare these exactly like my instant pot black-eyed peas. But I wanted to do a vegetarian/ vegan version for y’all because they are just as good y’all. Seriously.

I love that I can make these from dry beans, and they don’t have to cook all the live-long day!

Instant Pot pinto beans are delicious, simple and easy! I will show you how to cook dry pinto beans in the Instant Pot, and there is no pre-soaking required. | APinchOfHealthy.com

Dry beans are suuuuper cheap, and they are great for stretching a buck. I barely buy canned beans much anymore. I mostly keep canned ones on hand for emergencies.

You can make them ahead, portion them out and freeze them if you wish.

Sometimes I make a batch of these Instant Pot pinto beans at the beginning of the week, along with some rice, and we eat them for lunch all week with various toppings: diced avocado, cilantro, hot sauce, salsa, etc.

Instant Pot pinto beans are delicious, simple and easy! I will show you how to cook dry pinto beans in the Instant Pot, and there is no pre-soaking required. | APinchOfHealthy.com

Side note: skillet corn bread is excellent with these, as shown in these pictures.

The last thing I will say about my Instant Pot pinto beans is about the cook time. Usually the Instant Pot recommended cook times are pretty close to accurate. For some reason, they seem WAY off to me with their bean recommendations. That, or I like mine well-done! 😆

And yes, I have tried cooking them both salted and unsalted. Some folks say cooked them seasoned/ salted makes them need to cook longer.

After testing it out myself, I get similar results done both ways. So eliminating salt doesn’t seem to make a difference for me. What can I say, I still like them cooked longer. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Either way, if you have tried with their time recommendations and have been unhappy with the texture of your beans, I say cook those bad boys at least 50% longer than they recommend.

I cooked these for a whopping 45 minutes (with natural release), whereas Instant Pot recommends 25 to 30.

And they turn out perfect every time!

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Instant Pot Pinto Beans Recipe

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I will show you how to cook dry pinto beans in the Instant Pot, and there is no pre-soaking required! Delicious, simple and easy! | APinchOfHealthy.com
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Instant Pot Pinto Beans (No Pre-Soaking)


Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword instant pot, pinto beans, pintos, vegan, vegetarian
Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 1 hour 26 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 27 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 196 kcal
Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dry pinto beans
  • 5 1/2 cups water
  • 1 2/3 Tablespoon Better Than Bullion vegetable base
  • salt and pepper to taste (Honestly, mine didn't need any. The BTB flavored them perfectly. Taste them first.)

Instructions

  1. Rinse off your pinto beans, and drain them using a wire mesh strainer.

  2. Add them to the Instant Pot, along with the water and Better Than Bullion vegetable base.

  3. Close and lock the lid, and cook on manual high pressure for 45 minutes. Note: It will take several minutes to come to pressure.

  4. Allow the pressure to naturally release (Do not use the valve, but let it sit until the pressure indicator pin drops on its own. Mine took about 26 minutes, FYI.)

Recipe Notes

45 minutes is the pressure cook time, but this will take longer than that to cook. The pot takes a little while to come up to pressure, plus about 25 minute to naturally release.

Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Pinto Beans (No Pre-Soaking)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 196
% Daily Value*
Sodium 15mg 1%
Potassium 789mg 23%
Total Carbohydrates 35g 12%
Dietary Fiber 8g 32%
Sugars 1g
Protein 12g 24%
Vitamin C 4.3%
Calcium 6.9%
Iron 16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

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Related posts:

  1. Instant Pot Black-eyed Peas and Ham
  2. Instant Pot Black Beans (Vegan, No Soak)
  3. Instant Pot Wild Rice Pilaf (Vegan)
  4. Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I used this recipe in my first attempt at cooking beans in my Instant pot. I followed the recipe, but also added some cooked bacon and onions. The result was that after the pressure released naturally, there was no liquid left and most of the beans were very hard. Should I have added more than 5 and a half cups of water?

    Reply

    • Yikes! These may seem like silly questions….but how did you measure the beans and the water?🤔 If you measured them carefully, using a food scale for the beans and a measuring cup for the water…I would say yes, add more water next time.

      Reply

  2. I just started my beans, but I added a little cooked and diced bacon, half of a diced onion, diced jalapeño and a can of drained Rotel. I also used chicken broth and water. Wish me luck!

    Reply

  4. It may also be taking longer to cook the beans because when you add salt to dried beans it makes them take a lot longer. I would try it without and see if it makes a difference.

    Reply

  5. I made these as my first attempt to cook in my IP, thinking if I failed, it was not an expensive loss. But they turned out fabulously! Thank you! one question from a newbie, if you don’t mind: if I would like to add some ham to them next time, would I add it before I start, and if so, would I need to add more time? We loved the beans just like your recipe is; but sometimes on a cold winter night; we enjoy a bowl of ham and beans as dinner. Thank you again for giving me the confidence to use my ip, as your recipe is perfect!

    Reply

  7. Great recipe!! did everything just like the recipe stated but did 50 minutes instead of 45. Next time, I believe that I will add only 4.5 cups of water instead of 5.5.

    (and I have no idea why I can’t use capital letters. for some reason, my computer must be going bonkers.haha)

    thank you!

    Reply

  9. Which IP is this? I have an IP lux min (3 qt). Are these directions/amounts for the small pot or the 6 (or greater) pot?

    Thanks!

    Reply

  10. I’ve been using this pressure cooker recipe for 10+ years, however, I presoak or quick soak to avoid gastric distress. Since I presoak I only use 5 cups of water. Add a chopped onion, a chopped bunch of cilantro, 1 tbsp cumin and a whole chipotle for frijoles rancheros.

    Reply

  11. I par-boiled my beans for 30 minutes, then I cooked them 45 minutes in the instant pot – they came out perfect. I used chicken broth instead of water and the bullion and I also used a pinto bean seasoning (3 tbl).

    Reply

    • Hi Linda! Great question. Instant Pot does not recommend filling bean recipes more than half full in the pot (including liquids and all other ingredients). I can’t remember for sure, but I think they would have fit they extra 4 ounces. You would have needed to increase the liquid and seasoning a little too.

      Reply

  13. I did 40 minutes to cook beans before making chili. Worked great!, I figured I can always cook the whole thing a bit more if the beans are still tough…
    I also like using dry beans because it makes me feel green: so much waste in buying the cooked beans in a can with all the stuff you really don’t need to buy: the can, the water, and you can store the dried beans just as long as a can.

    Reply

  14. I have fixed pinto beans in my INSTANT pot several times. I went by your recipe but found the 45 minutes just wasn’t enough, beans still a little hard. I adjusted cooking time to 50 minutes and find this is perfect! Thanks for your recipe!

    Reply

  15. Just made these tonight–they turned out great EXCEPT the 45 minutes with 26 minutes of natural release STILL left me with tough beans. : ( (My IP says 25-30 minutes for beans so I really thought your 45 minutes would be enough!)

    Just to let anyone know, if your instant pot works the same way, i put the lid back on and did another 12 minutes of pressure cooking with another 26 minutes of natural release. I wasn’t sure if you could just redo it, but it worked!! Not sure why mine took so much longer, but they were exactly what I wanted after round 2!!

    Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

      • I was always told that Adding salt to the beans while they cook makes them tough. Add the salt after, and they won’t take nearly as long.

        Reply

        • America’s rest kitchen has disproved that old wives tale- although I was heard that too! Age of beans really affects cooking time- old beans take longer.

          Reply

    • Would it cook faster if you presoak the night before? The pot recipe tells you to presoak and I think that might be the reason that the. Shorter time is enough. NOTE : I have only made the refried beans recipe

      Reply

    • Another reason the beans took longer to cook could be that they were older beans. if they have been IN STORage for any length of time they will probably take a bit longer.

      Reply

  16. My Hubby just got me an IP for Valentines Day. I have NEVER even used a pressure cooker before! (54 years old, sheesh,LOL) Anyways, I am going to try my hand at these beans. I figure if Im going to mess something up, it won’t be an expensive cut of meat.. LOL Thank you so much for your recipie Tips, and hope I don’t blow up My House.. LOL

    Reply

  17. I have a receipe for pintoi beans that came from using my crockpot and i now have an insta pot , it adds bacon, green chiles , chili powder and ground beef , 1lb of pinto beans and 8 cups of water , do i need to reduce the water AND CALL I ADD ALL THE INGREDIENTS AT ONE TIME

    Reply

  18. i just make my own veggie broth with some carrots(3), onions(1), garlic (1 bulb), mushrooms (1/2 box), celery (4 stalks) and salt (1/2 tablespoon Kosher) add 4 cups of water and pressure cook high for 15 minutes and let depressurize.This will get you 4 cups of veggie broth. you can Cut back/out the salt if needed.
    For the beans, I added 2 cups of beans, 2 cups of broth and 1.5 cups of water. Cook on high pressure for 1 hour.

    Reply

  19. I don’t understand–did exactly as you said and the beans were still very hard–am cooking them again for nearly the same amount of time. And I didn’t use the quick release pressure either. (just in case you were wondering) How old is your Instant Pot?

    Reply

  23. I like to make the beans the main dish rather than the side dish. I often add a tomato base and veggies. I’m wondering when I might put these in. My family also likes chili, and I usually add the tomato base early on so that the beans soak up the flavor. If I were to add ground turkey would I do that early on also or will the meat disintegrate?

    Reply

  24. After the beans are done, you can add some baking soda and all the gas releases from the beans. I use this method for all beans and my family is very appreciative. I start with a tablespoon and if I think it needs more I add a tablespoon more. You can tell as the pot will bubble up, and I mean bubble up. If it doesn’t bubble, add more.

    Reply

  25. I like Kitchen Accomplice boullion mix. It is liquid. They have a low sodium I think but the regular is not too salty to me. It is on Amazon, and I have also found it at a local variety store ~ Bartells ~ in my area

    Reply

  27. I bought an Instant Pot Lux Mini,3 quart size,a few days ago. I have only cooked stew meat in it 1 time. My question for anyone is….Can I cook a 1 pound bag of dry pinto beans in this,using 5 & 1/2 cups of water,as @marjorieapinchofhealthy:disqus stated she did? Thanks to any 1 who can help me.

    Reply

    • For bean cooking, you want to make sure your pot is not much fuller than 1/2 full. Otherwise, there is a good chance that you could have starchy liquid shooting out the top. I don’t have a mini, but I am guessing you might want to cut that particular recipe in half…with the same cook time as the original recipe. Hope that helps!

      Reply

  29. Hi, my husband is on a very low salt diet as well. After soaking them, I have been cooking pinto beans in my old Presto pressure cooker without any salt. Will this reciework without any salt? Also, I make my own salsa without salt. Could I add some salsa for flavor without changing the consistency if the cooked beans? Thank you for your help.

    Reply

  31. Do you have any idea how the cook time would be affected by using fresh pinto beans? I picked some up at the farmers market, and I’m not sure how much less time to cook them.

    Reply

  32. This Vegebase by Vogue Cuisine looks great. It ain’t cheap, though! 12-ounce jar for $13.59, wow! Is it cheaper elsewhere do you think? It’s a dollar cheaper at Vitacost. Does it make that big a difference that throwing a whole bunch of good spices in the pot wouldn’t be as good?

    Reply

    • That is a little pricey. The Better Than Bullion vegetable base I mention in the post is $3.72 at WalMart. I’d say the main advantage is convenience and simplicity. It has your salt and seasonings. So it cuts out the guesswork & measuring and just makes things suuuuuper simple.

      Reply

      • Okay, so I’m going to pass and just throw in seasonings and onions. Thanks a lot for your recipe. Going to do my first non-soak beans next week in my new IP!

        Reply

      • I put a small oak twig on top and carefully remove it after cooking so that all the farts crawl up on to of it. Then toss it out before serving .:)

        Reply

    • I was brought up to soak your beans overnight with a small amount of baking soda. This stops the bean from causing gas. When I use an electric pressure cooker, I just add the baking soda to the mix and cook.

      Reply

    • Hi marjorie, just wanted to pitch in. the salt is why the beans are taking so long to cook. you don’t season beans before pressure cooking, or the salt prevents the beans from absorbing water and softening. Try cooking on plain water first, then seasoning after they’re done. good luck!

      Reply

      • Hi Pedro, I just had to comment because although it is an often-repeated traditional statement that salt in cooking makes beans tough, modern testing by the Food lab and by america’s test kitchen and by Russ Parsons of the Los Angeles Times. All of them agree that adding salt does not increase cooking time. In addition, the Test Kitchen folks found that if you have hard water, adding salt improves cooking results because the salt molecules replace some of the calcium in the bean skins, softening them and allowing them to expand rather than bursting apart.

        Reply

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