Instant Pot Pinto Beans are a side dish staple around here. These are savory and wonderfully tender with just a kiss of porky smoky goodness. We eat them straight out of the pot, with our favorite Mexican dishes, and turn the leftovers into a variety of family favorite dishes. With zero soak time and a quick trip in the Instant Pot, these will be your new go-to!
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If you're looking for great ideas to serve with these pinto beans, try them as a fantastic side to my Chicken Enchiladas or these Red Beef Enchiladas! And, when we are in the mood for a super simple lunch or dinner, I'll heat up some flour tortillas and queso and we will enjoy them with a cup of warm beans.
Pull Up A Chair and Let's Chat!
Pinto beans have been a staple in my life for as long as I can remember. My dad is a cowboy and a rancher. Cowboys eat pinto beans with everything and with most meals. When my granny was alive, she was the official bean maker of the family - making pot upon pot over the years. If there is a recipe that has been with me from the beginning, its pinto beans.
These Instant Pot Pinto Beans would make my granny proud. In my opinion, they're perfect. The flavor is spot on with the smokey ham hock and the bay leaves. Everything simply goes into the Instant Pot and in an hour, you'll have to most wonderful, tender beans ever.
The flavor is superior to anything you'll find in a can. They are also way more affordable. Your taste buds AND your wallet will thank you!
We serve these over cornbread, with Mexican dishes, and with rice. It's a side dish staple for us and we even turn it into bean dip that's perfect scooped up with fresh tortillas or our favorite corn chips. And, in my house and for the cowboys, pinto beans are not pinto beans without a big scoop of chow chow on the top. It's a must!
What You'll Need
I keep most of the ingredients in these easy Instant Pot Pinto Beans in the pantry or freezer. They're perfectly savory with just a touch of smoke and absolutely tender. Here’s everything you’ll need to make them:
- Dried Pinto Beans - My grandmother said the Casserole brand was the best. I will not be pushed off that hill. Use whatever brand you love.
- Yellow Onion and Garlic - We can't make beans without this. It would be tragic.
- Bay Leaves - Lends an amazing earthy flavor that goes so well with beans. I get sad if I forget to throw them in.
- Smoked Ham Hock - For incredible smokey flavor and for perfectly tender little pieces of pork scattered through out the beans.
- Kosher Salt - You must.
- Fresh Ground Pepper - Grind it yourself.
To Instant Pot or Not To Instant Pot
I rallied against getting an Instant Pot for yearsssss. I don't like a lot gadgets in the kitchen and I just could not see the benefit off adding a pressure cooker to the mix. My sister was the one who told me to get over it and try one.
I caved and initially purchased one for my chicken bone broth. To say I was blown away by the results is the understatement of the year.
Since then, I have used it on soooo many things. The results are incredible and I'm a believer. If you don't have one, I highly recommend investing in one. Everything from side dishes to broths to the most tender meats ever. I am now Team Instant Pot.
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How to Make Them
These Instant Pot Pinto Beans could not be easier and its basically everybody into the pot and let it cook. I'll give you a brief rundown of the lineup here, but the details will live in the recipe card below. All you have to do is:
- Wash the beans well.
- Add everyone to the Instant Pot bowl and secure the lid.
- Cook on high pressure for 1 hour.
- Shred the ham hock and return to the beans.
- Serve and enjoy!
Told ya it was easy!
Serving Ideas
When I first make a pot of beans, we usually enjoy them with either cornbread or simple cooked rice and sausage. However, the options are without limit.
Think:
-As a side for Taco Tuesday or a Mexican Themed Dinner Party
-Made into refried beans
-Spoon over nachos or rolled into burritos
-Turned into a creamy bean dip for chips and warm tortillas
-Bean and bacon burritos for an easy breakfast. This is my brother-in-law Rooster's favorite. Hi, Rooster!
-Added to your favorite beef chili
-Spooned into Mexican-inspired soup
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze pinto beans?
Yes! And, that is exactly what I do with any beans we don't eat right away. I also make a point to keep some in the freezer at all times for those busy days.
I freeze the cooked beans in air-tight containers in the freezer. They'll stay good up to 6 months. When you're ready, simply let them thaw out in the fridge and turn them into your next masterpiece!
How long does it take to cook dry pinto beans in an Instant Pot?
One hour on high pressure! After an hour, you can let them do a natural release or manually do it yourself. Cooking the beans in the Instant Pot eliminates the need for soaking and cooking for hours on end!
Is this Instant Pot Pinto Bean recipe gluten and/or dairy free?
Yes! It is both gluten-free and dairy-free! No need to worry about either dietary concern here!
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure to wash the beans thoroughly and go through them well. They can be quite dirty and can even be packaged with tiny rocks.
- Toss any dried beans that are broken. While they will not affect the flavor whatsoever, they can make the bean "liquor" cloudy. My granny always told me to toss them to get the nicest, clear broth. She said to do it, so, to this day, I do. Out with the broken beans!
- Keep them super simple and serve with just a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. Mine is Crystal. It's reallllllll good!
- Don't forget the chow chow! If you've never enjoyed chow chow with pinto beans you're missing out. Click here for my granny's recipe. It's the best. I will forever think of here when we enjoy it.
Put Your Spin On Them
- If you don't have smoked ham hock, feel free to add some bacon or a ham bone. You'll get great flavor in your pinto beans!
- Keep this recipe vegan by leaving out the pork all together.
- If using the beans for a Mexican type recipe, add spices like chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin and a touch of oregano.
- Top with a little pico de gallo and sour cream for a fresh, spicy kick!
- Spoon your favorite queso over the top for a comforting dish that we keep on repeat around here!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- The beans will stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat in the microwave, cover with a damp paper towel and heat in small increments until warmed through.
Recipe
Instant Pot Pinto Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb dry pinto beans (about 2 cups)
- 7 cups water
- 6-8 cloves garlic I toss them in whole
- 1 smoked ham hock
- 1 med yellow onion, cut into chunks
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Begin by washing the pinto beans very well. They will be dirty, and sometimes, will be packaged with tiny stones. Be sure to go through them thoroughly. Once cleaned, add them to the bowl of the Instant Pot.
- Next, add the onions, garlic, smocked ham hock, bay leaves, kosher salt, and fresh ground pepper to the bowl of the pressure cooker. Pour in the water.
- Secure the Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 1 hour.
- After an hour, you can let it depressurize naturally or do it manually. Either method is fine.
- After cooking, remove the ham hock. Shred the meat and add it back into the beans.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
If you guys make this Instant Pot Pinto Beans, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments!
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Instant Pot Pinto Beans recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube! And, please leave a comment or star rating below. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. It makes my heart so happy! And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
-Rufus
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Amanda says
So easy. Wow. I will never do beans another way. We only had bacon, but it worked great!