Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe (Restaurant Style) (2024)

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1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

9 Comments

4.67 from 3 votes

Dry pinto beans turn into PERFECT restaurant-style Refried Beans in the Instant Pot with this easy recipe! Simple ingredients in this dump-and-go dish.

Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe (Restaurant Style) (1)

You know how when you go to a Mexican restaurant, they always have the most amazing refried beans?

This recipe gives you those delicious restaurant-style refried beans and the great part is that they are SO easy to make because they cook in your Instant Pot!

No need to soak your dry beans before making this recipe – your Instant Pot does all the hard work!

Don’t have an Instant Pot? Be sure to check out our crock pot version: Slow Cooker Refried Beans.

Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe (Restaurant Style) (2)

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Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe (Restaurant Style) (3)

Ingredients Needed For Instant Pot Refried Beans:

  • Onion
  • Dry pinto beans, rinsed
  • Jalapeno pepper
  • Minced garlic
  • Salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • Ground cumin
  • Water
  • Chicken broth
Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe (Restaurant Style) (4)

How to make Refried Beans in the Instant Pot:

Place the liner into the Instant Pot.

Place the onion, rinsed beans, jalapeno, garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin into the liner of the Instant Pot.

Pour in the water and the chicken broth.

Place the lid on top of the Instant Pot. Move the valve to SEALING.

Press the MANUAL (or PRESSURE COOK) button and set the timer for 45 minutes.

Let the pressure do a natural release when it’s done (will take 15-25 minutes).

Drain the excess liquid from the beans and set liquid aside.

Using a potato masher or handheld electric mixer, mash the cooked beans until they reach the desired consistency. Add drained liquid back in as needed (I usually add 1/2 cup – 1 cup of liquid back in).

Serve and enjoy! Makes about 12 servings.

Love Mexican food? Be sure to check out all of our favorite Mexican food recipes!

Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe (Restaurant Style) (5)

How to freeze these beans:

You could easily freeze these beans (once they have cooled down, I stick them in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and place them in the freezer. When you want to eat them, remove from the freezer and let them thaw for a few hours in the fridge, then heat up in the microwave until warmed through.

You could also turn these beans into a freezer meal by making Freezer Refried Bean Burritos!

Looking for more freezer meals just like this? Click here for our top100 Instant Pot Freezer Meals!

Dishes you could serve refried beans with:

  • Chile Colorado Beef Burritos
  • Cilantro Lime Pork Tacos and Coleslaw
  • Oven-Baked Chicken Tacos
  • Sheet Pan Ground Beef Quesadillas
  • Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas.
  • Crispy Bean and Cheese Burritos

Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe (Restaurant Style) (6)

Serves: 12

Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe (Restaurant-Style)

4.67 from 3 votes

The best refried beans made with dry pinto beans right in your Instant Pot!

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Natural Release 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

PrintPin

Ingredients

  • 3 cups dry pinto beans rinsed
  • 1 onion peeled and quartered
  • jalapeno pepper seeded and diced; more or less depending on how hot you prefer your beans
  • 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
  • 3 teaspoons salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin optional
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3 cups water

Instructions

  • Place the liner into the Instant Pot.

  • Place the onion, rinsed beans, jalapeno, garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin into the liner of the Instant Pot.

  • Pour in the water and the chicken broth.

  • Place the lid on top of the Instant Pot. Move the valve to SEALING.

  • Press the MANUAL (or PRESSURE COOK) button and set the timer for 45 minutes.

  • Let the pressure do a natural release when it's done (will take 15-25 minutes).

  • Drain the excess liquid from the beans and set liquid aside.

  • Using a potato masher or handheld electric mixer, mash the cooked beans until they reach the desired consistency. Add drained liquid back in as needed (I usually add 1/2 cup – 1 cup of liquid back in).

  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

I love to top these bean with shredded cheese or cotija cheese, some fresh cilantro, and diced jalapenos.

If your family doesn’t like the heat from jalapenos, you can substitute a can of green chilies.

How to freeze these beans:

You could easily freeze these beans (once they have cooled down, I stick them in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and place them in the freezer. When you want to eat them, remove from the freezer and let them thaw for a few hours in the fridge, then heat up in the microwave until warmed through.

You could also turn these beans into a freezer meal by making Freezer Refried Bean Burritos!

Nutrition

Calories: 178 kcal · Carbohydrates: 32 g · Protein: 11 g · Fat: 1 g · Saturated Fat: 1 g · Sodium: 878 mg · Potassium: 759 mg · Fiber: 8 g · Sugar: 1 g · Vitamin A: 8 IU · Vitamin C: 10 mg · Calcium: 67 mg · Iron: 3 mg

Equipment

  • Instant Pot (or Pressure Cooker)

Recipe Details

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

Easy Freezer Meals by Six Sisters’ Stuff

Freezer meals can actually be tasty, and the good news is that we can show you how it’s done. Let us help you get dinner on the table for your family with way less work.

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  1. Vanesa says:

    I would love to do this recipe! I can’t buy pinto beans in Argentina. Can I use kidney beans or any other kind? Thank you! Greetings from Bs As!

  2. Momma Cyd says:

    Refried beans are usually always made with Pinto beans. If you use a different bean, you'll have a totally different taste.

  3. Janell says:

    Now I really like refried beans. This recipe has become a regular in my house. I am wondering what one serving is 1/2 cup?

    Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe (Restaurant Style) (8)

  4. Julie Clark says:

    This is my favorite Instant Pot refried bean recipe I have come across. It is the only one I use and I have used it many time. I like to use bone broth made from the instant pot if possible. It makes the beans taste so amazing and fresh. I end up keeping a lot more of the bean juice to where it seems kind of runny but it firms up and does MUCH BETTER if refrigerated or frozen. Thanks for such a great recipe!

    Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe (Restaurant Style) (9)

  5. Momma Cyd says:

    Thanks Julie for letting us know that you like this IP Refried Beans Recipe. Great to hear that you use the bone broth from the IP when possible. Sounds amazing.

  6. Kimette says:

    Oh my gosh, these beans are WONDERFUL! I love making lazy burritos with them. That’s where we just get a whole wheat flour tortilla, add the beans along with some salsa and shedded cheese, fold it up and eat. We’re too impatient to even toast the burritos before diving in! Thank you!!

  7. Momma Cyd says:

    Lazy Burritos sound delicious!

  8. Addie Ashton says:

    I love how these beans taste, but my beans are never done when they come out of the instant pot. I’ve made this recipe three times and keep increasing the cook time. Today I pressured them for an hour and 5 minutes and the natural release took about 35 minutes, and the beans were still a little hard. I just dump everything into a pot and finish the cooking on the stove. Any suggestions? They still taste fantastic, they’re just not as convenient.

    Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe (Restaurant Style) (10)

Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe (Restaurant Style) (11)

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Camille Beckstrand is married to Jared and they have 4 kids. She is a certified life coach that loves helping women become "unstuck" in their lives and is the host of the podcast "Moms On The Rise". She also loves a good true crime podcast, a big plate of cheesy loaded nachos, and going on adventures with her family.

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Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe (Restaurant Style) (2024)

FAQs

Why do restaurant refried beans taste different? ›

If you're wondering what is the secret ingredient for restaurant-quality refried beans, the answer is fat.

What to add to a can of refried beans to make it taste better? ›

I like to sprinkle in some taco seasoning, but you could add whatever spices you like — garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder are all good calls. Then, you mash the beans up directly in the pan and add just a little bit of vinegar at the end to really make the beans sing.

How to make refried beans fancier? ›

Try adding some seasoning such as a little cumin and/or chili powder. Also try adding some monteray jack cheese and letting it melt into the beans. Why do refried beans at restaurants taste so much better than my homemade ones?

How to make refried beans Jamie Oliver? ›

In a large frying pan, heat a splash of oil and fry the garlic, chilli and coriander stalks for 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden. Drain the beans, then add along with the peppers, then season to taste. Fry for 15 to 20 minutes on a low heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy.

Why are Mexican restaurant beans so good? ›

Fat and Oil: Refried beans are traditionally cooked with fat or oil to create a creamy and flavorful texture. Restaurants may use ingredients like lard, bacon fat, or vegetable oil to a.

Why is refried beans unhealthy? ›

Yet, since refried beans often contain added fat and salt, they may be higher in calories, saturated fat, and sodium than other beans. These factors may impair your weight loss goals, raise your risk of heart disease, and increase your blood pressure levels.

Why do people add milk to refried beans? ›

Milk makes refried beans creamy

This liquid can help make your beans smoother and taste richer. Once the beans are tender, it's time to fry them. Garlic is cooked in the oil and then the beans are added. The beans are mashed, and this is where the milk comes in.

How do you doctor up canned refried beans? ›

14 Ways To Upgrade Canned Refried Beans
  1. Add more fat. Jannissimo/Shutterstock. ...
  2. Mix in some dried spices. ProleR/Shutterstock. ...
  3. Use sour cream or Greek yogurt. ...
  4. Add cheese. ...
  5. Blend canned refried beans with broth. ...
  6. Add cooked onions and garlic. ...
  7. Use the vinegar from anything pickled. ...
  8. Make canned refried bean cakes.
Feb 17, 2024

What thickens refried beans? ›

Cream cheese is the not-so-secret weapon for making refried beans a yummy side dish to accompany rice, or a versatile taco or nacho topping. The dairy in cream cheese not only thickens refried beans to a creamier consistency — cream is in the name — but it also incorporates the rich, silky flavor of dairy.

What is the secret of refried beans? ›

If you want a thicker refried bean, then use less water. If you want thinner beans, then you will use more broth. Save the leftover bean broth and use it to stir into your leftover beans. As they sit in the refrigerator and chill, they will thicken.

What is a substitute for lard in refried beans? ›

Traditionally refried beans are made with lard, so they are not vegan. However, we are simply swapping that out for some vegetable shortening (Crisco). You can totally bypass it all together if you want a lower fat version too. They are still delicious, just not as rich!

What kind of cheese goes on refried beans? ›

Ingredients for a creamy refried bean dip typically include refried beans, sour cream, cheese (such as cheddar or Monterey jack), and seasonings (such as garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder). Optional ingredients may include diced tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro.

What is the difference between pinto beans and refried beans? ›

refried beans are literally re-heated, typically, pinto beans. beans take a long time to cook, roughly 2 hours. but like 99% of foods, it is better homemade. you can personally season them and cook to your texture.

How to add liquid to refried beans? ›

Stir in the beans and reduce the heat to low. Add ½ cup of the bean cooking liquid and use a potato masher to mash the beans until they reach your desired consistency, adding more cooking liquid, ½ cup at a time, as needed (I typically use 1 to 1½ cups).

How to make canned beans taste like restaurant? ›

She told me that adding milk to the canned beans was her mom's secret, and that works, too. I have to say, though that adding sour cream is even better! It gives them just a slight tang with a smooth creaminess to them.

What kind of beans do Mexican restaurants use? ›

The pinto bean is perhaps one of the most common type of beans used in most Mexican dishes. Like the black bean, the pinto bean is also loaded with nutritious elements including high fiber and protein. Pinto beans are served both whole and mashed, which will become the refried bean.

Are refried beans from a restaurant healthy? ›

Refried beans may sound like a decent choice, but they are traditionally prepared with lard, and even bacon, which taste delicious but are packed with unhealthy fats and unnecessary calories.

Why do restaurant black beans taste so good? ›

It's just the liquid the beans were cooked in. To complete, a glug of extra virgin olive oil is poured over the beans. Since beans are pretty much fat-free, the olive oil lends necessary fat and a luxe mouthfeel that's rarely found in dishes made with canned beans.

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