Mexican Pinto Beans – Instant Pot Variation - To Taste (2024)

This is a variation of our instant pot dried beans base recipe. Have you ever been afraid to purchase dried beans because you don’t know how to cook them? “How much water do I use? How long do I cook them? What seasonings and spices should I use?” In this Mexican pinto beans Instant Pot recipe, we teach you how to make flavorful, creamy Mexican pinto beans in a pressure cooker – no pre-soaking required!

Three Must-Know Cooking Skills

For recipe success, learn how to:

Culinary Tips for the Ultimate Instant Pot Pinto Beans

How many cups of pinto beans are in a pound? There are approximately 2 cups of dry beans in a pound, but it’s okay to not be exact! As long as you have enough water to cover the beans by ~1 inch, you don’t have to be precise with the amount of beans you use.

Rinse and sort the pinto beans in a colander before cooking in order to remove damaged beans and debris.

Do you have to soak dry beans before cooking in an Instant Pot? Nope! Instant pot dried beans don’t have to be pre-soaked because the high pressure helps break through the bean’s plant structure. However, if you still want or like to soak your beans before cooking, keep in mind that cooking time will decrease significantly.

How long does it take to cook dried beans in an Instant Pot? This recipe calls for 45 minutes of cooking time plus 10 minutes of natural release time. This will create creamy, tender beans. However, if you prefer firmer beans, decrease the cooking time to ~40 minutes. Smaller beans such as lentils and mung beans require less cooking time because they absorb less water. Check out Instant Pot’s helpful guide for cooking times. This guide also provides recommendations for how to cook soaked beans in the Instant Pot.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Pinto Beans: substitute black beans.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: substitute regular olive, canola, or avocado oil.
• Onion: use yellow, white, or red onion or shallot.
• Garlic: substitute 1 ½ teaspoons pre-minced garlic, 1 ½teaspoon garlic flakes, or ¾ teaspoon granulated garlic, or ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
• Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: substitute regular diced tomatoes.
• Water: substitute some or all of the water with chicken or vegetable broth.
• Kosher Salt: We use Morton kosher salt. If using Diamond Crystal kosher salt, use 1 ½ teaspoons. If you use table salt, use slightly less than 1 teaspoon.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: substitute lime juice.

Recipe Variations

Want to make spicy pinto beans? Add 1-2 chipotle peppers in adobo before pressure cooking.

Want to make these instant pot pinto beans vegan or vegetarian? Simply use vegetable broth or water as the cooking liquid.

If you don’t have a pressure cooker but still want to make a pot of restaurant style Mexican beans, use our stovetop dried beans base recipe. Then check out our video on how to cook dried beans on the stovetop. Use the same aromatic vegetables in this recipe or add other ingredients of your choosing.

Need some Instant Pot bean recipe inspiration?

Use our base recipe as a guide, or check out these favorite variations!

Equipment Recommendations for Cooking Dried Pinto Beans

The recipe title says it all; in order to cook dried beans in a pressure cooker, you will need a functioning Instant Pot. We like the six-quart option best. Be sure to read the instructions thoroughly before using to ensure safety and proper function.

You will also need:

• Fine Mesh Strainer
• Cutting Board
• Chef’s Knife
• Measuring Spoons
• Citrus Juicer

Health Benefits of Pinto Beans

Are Mexican pinto beans healthy? Definitely! All of the world’s longest-lived populations consume beans daily. These instant pot vegetarian pinto beans are sure to help you along your way to optimal health!

Beans are one of our favorite foods to recommend as part of a balanced plant-forward diet because they are packed with high quality nutrients: plant-based protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients promote gut health, decrease risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, and promote a healthy weight.

Check out our Food as Medicine article to learn more about these health benefits.

Serving Suggestions

There are nearly endless ways that you can serve or use these Instant Pot beans. Serve them with a side of whole grains and top with avocado, Greek yogurt crema or sour cream, cilantro, and shredded cheese for a filling and satisfying meal. Or make a homemade pinto bean hummus or a mashed salsa and pinto bean spread to serve with crackers and veggies.

Storage Tips for Leftover Pinto Beans

Once cooked, allow the pinto beans to cool completely before placing in an airtight container and storing in the refrigerator. Keep the cooking liquid to keep the beans tender. Mexican pinto beans hold their quality in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Cooked beans freeze well too. To freeze, cool completely, then place in a freezer-safe container.

Want more healthy recipes with beans?

Add these bean-based recipes to your recipe rotation!

Black Bean Corn Salad

Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos

Four Bean Chili

Baked Tostadas Base Recipe