Insta Pot Pinto Beans
Let’s be real—pinto beans are the unsung hero of weeknight dinners. Whether they’re nestled in a warm tortilla, swimming in a hearty soup, or holding their own as a side dish, these versatile little gems deliver big on flavor, nutrition, and budget-friendly goodness. Today, I’m sharing a foolproof method to cook pinto beans in the Instant Pot without soaking. Yep, you read that right—no soaking required. Let’s get cooking!
Insta pot beans are an easy and efficient way to cook delicious pinto beans without soaking! This content provides a step-by-step guide on utilizing the insta pot for cooking beans quickly under high pressure, while incorporating fresh ingredients from your garden. By following this process, viewers can learn how to enhance their dishes with spices like cumin, oregano, and chili powder. The central theme revolves around using what you have at home to create a flavorful meal with minimal effort. Not only will you save time, but you'll also enjoy the satisfaction of home-cooked goodness from your garden to the plate.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Your Ingredients
Onion & Garlic: Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Got a questionable onion? No shame in tossing it into the compost and grabbing a better one. Pro tip: Save your scraps in a freezer bag for homemade veggie broth later.
Bone Broth: Thaw your bone broth, or sub with water or stock if you’re out.
2. Sauté Aromatics
Set your Instant Pot to "Sauté" mode and add olive oil.
Once hot, toss in your diced onion and minced garlic. Stir for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
3. Add Beans & Broth
Rinse your pinto beans thoroughly (no soaking required!).
Add the beans, bone broth, and seasonings (chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and bay leaves) to the pot. Stir well.
4. Pressure Cook
Secure the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to "Sealing."
Cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. After cooking, let the pressure naturally release for 25 minutes—this step ensures perfectly tender beans.
5. Final Touches
Open the Instant Pot and remove the bay leaves. If the beans are too brothy, remove about 2 cups of liquid.
For creamier beans, use an immersion blender to partially blend them. (Or mash a few with a fork for a chunkier texture.)
Tips for the Best Pinto Beans
Don’t skip the aromatics: The onion and garlic give the beans a deep, savory flavor.
Season as you go: Adjust salt and spices after cooking if needed.
Storage: Leftovers freeze beautifully, so make extra for future meals.
Conclusion
There you have it! A simple, hearty Instant Pot pinto bean recipe packed with flavor and sustainability. Whether you enjoy them as a side, main dish, or taco filler, these beans are sure to impress.
Bonus: You’ve just made a sustainable meal, used up bone broth, and saved scraps for future soups. High five, garden hero! 🌱
Ingredients
The Essentials:
2 cups dried pinto beans
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups bone broth (thawed)
1 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings:
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1½ tsp kosher salt
2 bay leaves
Temperature & Cook Time:
Sauté: Aromatics (onion & garlic) for 2-3 minutes.
Pressure Cook: 45 minutes on high pressure.
Natural Release: 25 minutes
