I love to cook Instant Pot Mexican Beans in my pressure cooker. They are not only a great source of protein and full of goodness, but Mexican beans taste delicious. This Instant Pot pinto beans recipe is super easy to cook and budget-friendly.
I am sure you will love making Instant Pot Pinto Beans Mexican style. Cooking beans has never been easier!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Rich and Hearty: These pinto beans are cooked to perfection, offering a robust, satisfying flavor.
- Versatile Side: Pressure Cooker Mexican beans pair well with a variety of dishes, making your Mexican meals complete.
- Time Efficient: The Instant Pot significantly reduces the usual soaking and cooking time for beans.
📋 Ingredients
- Pinto beans: Are the star ingredient in Instant Pot Mexican Beans, providing a hearty and creamy base.
- White onion: Adds a mild and sweet flavor to the Mexican beans.
- Minced garlic: Brings a bold and aromatic flavor to the recipe.
- Jalapeño: Adds a spicy kick to the Mexican beans.
- Chili powder: Adds a warm and robust flavor to the beans.
- Cumin: Brings a distinctive earthy and nutty flavor to the Mexican beans.
- Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and subtle spiciness to the beans.
- Garlic powder: Intensifies the garlic flavor in the beans, adding an extra punch of savory goodness.
- Water: Helps soften the beans, allowing them to cook thoroughly and absorb the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Salt: Crucial for seasoning the beans and bringing out their natural flavors.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Bean Variety Options: Experiment with different beans such as black beans, pinto beans, or a mix for varied texture and flavor. You can also try using canned beans for a quicker version, reducing cooking time.
- Spice & Flavor Enhancements: Customize your beans with traditional Mexican spices like cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika. For an extra kick, add a dash of chipotle or a splash of lime juice at the end of cooking.
- Additional Ingredient Tweaks: Enhance your dish by stirring in diced tomatoes, bell peppers, or corn during cooking. Fresh cilantro or a sprinkle of queso fresco can also be added as a garnish to brighten the flavors.
🔀 Optional Toppings
- Fresh Cilantro: Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top for a burst of freshness and citrusy flavor.
- Lime Wedges: Squeeze fresh lime juice over the beans for a zesty kick.
- Avocado or Guacamole: Add diced avocado or guacamole for a creamy, buttery texture.
- Queso Fresco or Cotija Cheese: Crumble queso fresco or cotija cheese on top for a salty, tangy kick.
🔪How To Make Instant Pot Mexican Beans?
Soak 1-pound dried pinto beans in 4 cups of water for at least six hours, if not overnight. I like to soak them in the Instant Pot for less clean up!
Pour the soaked pinto beans into a colander. Rinse the pinto beans well. Discard the water that the beans were soaked in.
Add the pinto beans back into the Instant Pot. Add in your remaining ingredients, including four more cups of water.
Close the Instant Pot by screwing on the lid and closing the valve by pushing it away from you. Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 20 minutes (it will take the Instant Pot to come to pressure in about 10 minutes.)
For 15 minutes, allow your Instant Pot to naturally release. After the 15 minutes, manually release by opening the valve with a hot pad or towel to prevent from the hot steam.
Open your Instant Pot and give your cooked beans a stir.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Rinse and Soak: Rinse beans, soak for 4 hours or overnight, or use Instant Pot's quick soak function for 1 hour.
- Flavorful Seasonings: Add onions, garlic, cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano, and optional ham or bacon for taste. Adjust seasonings cautiously.
- Simmer for Enhanced Flavor: After the Instant Pot cycle, consider simmering the beans on the sauté mode for a few additional minutes. This helps meld flavors and ensures the beans are perfectly seasoned throughout. Adjust consistency by adding water or broth if needed.
💭 FAQs
Cool beans to room temperature, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Once cooled, place the beans in a zipper bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
Soak pinto beans for at least 4 hours or overnight for optimal results. For a quicker option, use the Instant Pot’s quick soak function by boiling dried beans for 2 minutes and letting them soak for 1 hour.
Common seasonings include chopped onions, garlic, cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano, and optionally, ham or bacon for a smoky flavor. Adjust the seasonings based on personal taste preferences.
It’s advisable to avoid adding salt to the beans before cooking as it can toughen the beans. Season the beans after cooking is complete.
Using chicken broth instead of water is a fantastic way to add extra flavor to your Instant Pot pinto beans. The broth will infuse the beans with a rich and savory taste. Just be mindful of the salt content in the broth and adjust any additional seasoning accordingly.
Use the bean broth in soups, stews, cooking grains, sauces, freezing for later, moistening leftovers, making bean hummus, or cooking vegetables for added flavor and richness.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Mexican Beans:
- Mexican Rice: A classic side dish, Mexican Rice complements the beans perfectly.
- Tortillas or Tortilla Chips: Serve pinto beans with warm tortillas or crispy tortilla chips for a delightful texture contrast.
- Salsa: A Fresh Salsa, whether it's pico de gallo or a Mango Salsa, adds a burst of flavor. Consider making a simple salsa using tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice.
- Guacamole: Creamy Guacamole is an excellent accompaniment. You can find Instant Pot guacamole recipes for quick and easy preparation.
- Mexican Slaw: A refreshing slaw with cabbage, carrots, and a tangy dressing can provide a crunchy element to balance the meal.
- Quesadillas: Cheese-filled Quesadillas are a satisfying addition. You can make them in the Instant Pot for a quick and cheesy treat.
- Mexican Street Corn (Elote): Grilled or Instant Pot Mexican Street Corn with mayo, lime, and cheese is a flavorful side dish.
- Chopped Salad: A hearty Chopped Salad with black beans, corn, avocado, and a cilantro-lime dressing can complement the beans well.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Mexican Beans
Ingredients
- 1- pound dry pinto beans
- ½ small white onion chopped
- 4 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 jalapeño seeds and ribs removed and chopped
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon salt or more to taste
Instructions
- Soak 1-pound dried pinto beans in 4 cups of water for at least six hours, if not overnight. I like to soak them in the instant pot for less clean up!
- Pour the pinto beans into a colander. Rinse the pinto beans well. Discard the water that the beans were soaked in.
- Add the pinto beans back into the instant pot. Add in your remaining ingredients, including four more cups of water.
- Close the instant pot by screwing on the lid and closing the valve by pushing it away from you. Set the instant pot to high pressure for 20 minutes (it will take the instant pot to come to pressure in about 10 minutes.)
- For 15 minutes, allow your instant pot to naturally release. After the 15 minutes, manually release by opening the valve with a hot pad or towel to prevent from the hot steam.
- Open your instant pot and give your beans a stir.
- You can serve your Instant pot Mexican beans in a bowl by themselves, or on a plate with your favorite Mexican dish! Top with cilantro, jalapeños, or more onion! Enjoy
Notes
- Rinse and Soak: Rinse beans, soak for 4 hours or overnight, or use Instant Pot's quick soak function for 1 hour.
- Flavorful Seasonings: Add onions, garlic, cumin, chili powder, Mexican oregano, and optional ham or bacon for taste. Adjust seasonings cautiously.
- Simmer for Enhanced Flavor: After the Instant Pot cycle, consider simmering the beans on the sauté mode for a few additional minutes. This helps meld flavors and ensures the beans are perfectly seasoned throughout. Adjust consistency by adding water or broth if needed.
Nutrition
More Tasty Instant Pot Recipes
If you love these pressure cooker pinto beans then you may also enjoy the following pressure cooker recipes:
Can these be made in a crockpot?
Yes but the beans will take around 7-8 hours in the crockpot / slow cooker.