Learn how to cook perfectly tender pinto beans in the Instant Pot with this step-by-step recipe. No pre-soak needed.
Skip the canned pinto beans and cook your pinto beans in the pressure cooker in less than an hour. Serve as a side dish, a base for the main dish, tacos, soups, chilis, and more.
In general, 1 cup of dried beans yields about 2 1/2 cups of cooked beans. Use these beans.
How to cook pinto beans in the Instant Pot
To cook pinto beans in your pressure cooker, use the following steps:
1. Rinse and drain: In a mesh sieve, thoroughly rinse the dried beans in cool running water for a couple of minutes. Drain well.
2. Combine ingredients: Add the rinsed pinto beans, water, and salt. Stir well.
3. Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve on “sealing”, and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Once completed, turn off the Instant Pot and wait 10 minutes to naturally release the pressure.
Quick-release any remaining pressure and remove the lid.
4. Check if done: Check for doneness by inserting a fork into one of the beans. If it’s tender and mashes easily, it’s ready.
5. Drain: Carefully drain the beans.
Storing leftovers
Store in the fridge: Store any remaining leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave.
Store in the freezer: Divide beans into servings and store each in a freezer-safe container. Add frozen beans directly in recipes like soups and chiles. For recipes that require thawed bean, thaw overnight in the fridge.
Top tips and suggestions
Avoid using older beans: Older dried beans take longer to cook because they lose moisture as they sit. If you do use older beans, it could take much longer to cook.
Check the bulk section: Check to see if there’s a bulk section in your local grocery store where you can pick up the desired amount at a cheaper price.
Skip the salt: for a low-sodium option, omit the salt when cooking and add it when using the beans in other recipes.
Vegetable broth: try using vegetable broth instead of water for added flavor.
Commonly asked questions
Can I double the recipe? Yes, this recipe can be doubled if using a larger Instant Pot. Double the ingredients but the same cook time.
Do you need to pre-soak the pinto beans? Unless you prefer, it’s not necessary to soak the beans beforehand. However, soaking them will help reduce the cooking time.
How long do they last in the fridge? Cooked beans last 3 days in the fridge when stored in a sealed container.
Can you freeze cooked beans? Yes. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How do you quick-release pressure? Quick-release by carefully turning the steam valve to the “Venting” position. The pin will drop when the steam has completely released and the lid can be opened
What size Instant Pot did you use? I’ve tested this recipe on both my Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart and Instant Pot DUO 6-Quart with great results. However, you may need to tweak how long you cook the eggs based on preference, the size, model, and brand of your pressure cooker.
How to serve
Prepared beans can be used in a variety of ways and make a tasty addition to meals throughout the week. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy them:
- Enjoy as a side dish to any meal
- Add to chili and soups
- Serve with brown rice or quinoa
- Add to a vegan power bowl or burrito bowl
- Add as a topping to cauliflower tacos, potato tacos, or nachos
More Instant Pot recipes
- Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
- Instant Pot Cabbage
- How to Cook Hard-Boiled Eggs in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Carrots
- Instant Pot Beets
If you tried this Instant Pot pinto beans recipe or any other recipe, be sure to rate the recipe and let me know what you think. Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more delicious recipes.
Instant Pot Pinto Beans
Print Pin RateIngredients
- 1 cup dried pinto beans
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- In a mesh sieve, thoroughly rinse the dried pinto beans in cool running water. Drain well.
- In the Instant Pot, add the rinsed pinto beans, water, and salt.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve on “sealing”, and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Once completed, turn off the Instant Pot and wait 10 minutes to naturally release the pressure. Quick-release any remaining pressure* and remove the lid.
- Carefully drain the beans and move into a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Irina says
Your recipe of pinto beans cooked in an instant pot is easy to make. It is a keeper for busy weeknight dinners. Great idea and amazing recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So happy to hear, Irina! Thank you for your feedback.
Colleen says
My instant pot is new and I have yet to cook beans in it, but I can’t wait to try this. Thank you!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Excited for you, Colleen!
Andrea Metlika says
Love how quick and easy these are to make. A perfect side dish.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thank you, Andrea! So glad you enjoyed it.
Justine Howell says
Perfectly tender in no time, the only way to make them homemade anymore.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So happy to hear, Justine!
Neha says
Such a nutritious and easy recipe Sapana! I am sure this will be a super hit in my family.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thanks, Neha! hope you enjoy it!
[email protected] says
Where are those measuring spoons from?? love them! I totally need to get an instant pot, wonder if a pressure cooker would work as well!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
They’re from Target. Yes, a pressure cooker would work well!
Sarah W. says
My beans turned out perfect!
Sapana Chandra says
So glad to hear, Sarah!
Emily Liao says
Thanks for the quick run-down on how to make this in an instant pot!
Sonal says
I love using my instant pot on daily basis and cooking beans in it is the best thing.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
It makes it so easy! Thanks for stooping by, Sonal.
Sandhya Hariharan says
I really love the simplicity of cooking beans in the Instant Pot. They are an absolutely bliss.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thanks, Sandhya! I love how easy the IP makes it to cook beans.
Noelle says
I love pressure cooker recipes! I never thought to make pinto beans in one, great idea!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thanks, Noelle!
Krissy Allori says
Thank you so much for this recipe. I couldn’t believe how hard it was to find a recipe for beans in the pressure cooker. These were perfect!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So happy to hear, Krissy!
Terry Wilcox says
It took me forever to find a recipe on how to cook pinto beans in my Instant Pot (without the fluff – all the other recipes I looked like had other ingredients and flavors I could care less for)! Thank you for creating this – it answers all my questions and I made the perfect beans.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
That makes me happy to hear, Terry!
Nana says
OMG, it was nearly impossible to google a simple instapot recipie for the humble pinto bean. The ratios & explaination are perfect! I closed the web tab & it took forever to find you again. Had to slog through pintos with added frills. Sounds silly but man, great recipie. My Mexican husband approves. Thank you!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Hi Nana, so happy to hear that you and your husband enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for sharing.
Cecilia says
Made these tonight. Pretty sure I’ll never buy canned beans again. Thank you!!!!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So happy to hear, Cecilia!
Andrea Metlika says
This is a great IP recipe. I love that you don’t have to soak the beans and how good they look when they are done. Yummy.
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thanks, Andrea!
Suzy says
The is the perfect way to cook beans! It’s makes it so quick and hands off! Love it!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
I love that about the Instant Pot!
susan | the wimpy vegetarian says
Cooking beans in my Instant Pot is my go-to way of cooking them! They’re perfect every single time. Thanks for all the tips!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
You’re so welcome!
Cindy Gordon says
Another WIN for the instant pot! Such an easy way to make pinto beans!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
It truly is! Thanks, Cindy!
Heidy L. McCallum says
I may have missed it, but, do you soak your beans? I have been making beans in my instapot but usually, still, soak them so I want to be sure if for this recipe I should or can I skip it? Thanks in advance!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
You can soak them but it’s not necessary!
Alison says
These are great tips for making beans in an instant pot. I’ve made beans in the crockpot before, but this is a great method to use to save time! I prefer not to buy canned beans and this makes preparing beans so easy!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thanks, Alison! Glad you enjoy this method of making beans.
Mary says
Instant pots make dry beans manageable! It’s like magic!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
I couldn’t agree more with you, Mary!
Kelly Anthony says
I’ve never thought to buy beans in the bulk section before. Thanks for sharing a great money saving tip!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
Thanks for stopping by, Kelly!
Jamie says
These beans turned out so tender and soft! It was super easy without having to presoak them!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
So happy they turned out well for you!
Caitlin says
These turned out perfect – thank you!
Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says
You’re so welcome!