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–+ servings
this is a picture of instant pot pinto beans in serving bowls topped with shredded ham hock, green onions, and cilantro

Instant Pot Pinto Beans Recipe

Skip the overnight soak and make these tender Instant Pot pinto beans with ham hock instead. Flavor-packed and incredibly easy — perfect for meal prep or a cozy side.
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 221kcal
Author: Ruth Truett

Equipment

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

  • Sort and rinse the beans. Give them a thorough rinse and quickly check for any debris or tiny stones before adding them to the Instant Pot.
  • Build the flavor base. Add the onion, garlic, smoked ham hock, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Pour in the water.
  • Pressure cook. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes.
  • Let the pressure release. Allow a natural release if possible for the most tender beans, though a manual release works if you’re short on time.
  • Shred the ham hock. Remove the ham hock, shred the meat, and stir it back into the beans for extra smoky richness.
  • Taste and adjust. Give the beans a final taste and add additional salt if needed before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 755mg | Potassium: 720mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 3mg
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