Instant Pot Pinto Beans {No Soak + Ways to Use Them}

Name: Instant Pot Pinto Beans {No Soak + Ways to Use Them}
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 3 cups vegetable broth; 1 cup pinto beans; 1 can green chilies; 1 tbsp chili powder; 1 tsp cumin; 2 cloves minced garlic; 1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste); Sliced jalapenos; Lime wedges; Pico de gallo or salsa; Chopped cilantro; Sliced avocado; Diced red onion; Crumbled cotija or feta cheese; Corn tortillas or cooked rice

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Making pinto beans in the Instant Pot is so easy! Learn how to make them (no soaking required) and healthy meal ideas.

Two bowls of Instant Pot pinto beans with toppings and tortillas beside them.

Ingredients and substitutions

Olive oil – or another neutral cooking oil such as canola or avocado oil.
Vegetable broth – chicken broth would also work.
Pinto beans – make sure to use dry pinto beans for this recipe. You could also try using black beans.

Optional seasonings

Green chilies – jalapenos would also add some heat.
Chili powder – make your own using a combination of paprika, cumin and cayenne.
Cumin – coriander would also work.
Minced garlic – freshly minced garlic is best but jarred minced garlic can be used in a pinch.
Salt – to taste.

Serving ideas

Pickled jalapenos – fresh or canned jalapenos would also be good.
Lime wedges – leave these off if you don’t have any on hand.
Pico de gallo – use a store-bought or homemade pico de gallo or your favourite salsa.
Cilantro – leave this off if you’re not a fan of cilantro.
Sliced avocado – guacamole would be good on these bowls too.
Red onion – swap out for diced white onion instead.
Crumbled cotija – try crumbled feta or your favourite shredded cheese.
Corn tortillas or cooked rice – or however else you want to enjoy your bowls!

Ingredients for Instant Pot pinto beans: pinto beans, vegetable broth, salt, green chilies, chili powder, cumin, and olive oil.

How to cook pinto beans in the Instant Pot

Steps 1 and 2 for making Instant Pot pinto beans: add all ingredients to the Instant Pot then cook on high pressure for 30 minutes.

Step 1: Add everything to the Instant Pot.

Add olive oil, vegetable broth and beans to the Instant Pot in that order, along with any seasonings you’d like.

Step 2: Cook on high pressure.

Place lid on Instant Pot and make sure valve is set to seal. Press the pressure cook button and set to high, then cook for 30 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally, which should take about 20 minutes.

Two bowls of Instant Pot pinto beans on top of rice.

What to serve with pinto beans

I like using this pinto beans Instant Pot recipe to make yummy bowls or tacos! The options are pretty much endless when it comes to what you can add to your bowls. You can make them vegetarian or add in some extra protein with chicken or steak.

Here are some ideas on what to add to your bowls:

White or brown rice
Cheese like cotija cheese or shredded cheese
Extra protein like chicken or steak
Sauteed onions and bell peppers
Fresh guacamole or sliced avocado
Corn

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you cook beans in an Instant Pot?

These Instant Pot pinto beans will need to cook at high pressure for 30 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release of 20 minutes. It will take the Instant Pot about 10 minutes to get up to high pressure, so the total cooking time is around an hour.

How much water do you put in?

The ratio of liquid to beans for this pinto beans Instant Pot recipe is 3:1. For every one cup of dry pinto beans, you’ll need to add three cups of liquid. I used vegetable broth for this recipe, because it makes the beans extra flavourful.

Do you need to soak the beans?

There’s no need to soak the beans before cooking them in the Instant Pot. This Instant Pot pinto beans is super easy, with no pre-soaking required!

Are pinto beans healthy?

Pinto beans are definitely healthy, especially when you make your own instead of buying the canned variety that’s typically full of preservatives and sodium. They’re high in plant-based protein, fibre, folate and antioxidants, making them a nutritious addition to your diet.

A close-up of a bowl of Instant Pot pinto beans.

Storing and reheating

Once cooked, you can store these Instant Pot pinto beans in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. Make sure the beans have completely cooled before transferring them to glass containers. If you’re using the beans to make bowls, make sure you store all the components of the bowls separately in the fridge to ensure that everything stays as fresh as possible.

When you’re ready to use your beans, you can reheat them in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or in a pot on the stovetop. I suggest adding a bit of extra broth to the mixture so they don’t dry out while reheating.

Can you freeze pinto beans?

This pinto beans Instant Pot recipe is definitely freezer-friendly. Once the pinto beans have cooled, transfer them to freezer-safe Ziploc bags or glass bowls and freeze them for up to 6 months. All you have to do is let them defrost in the fridge overnight then reheat as normal. Easy-peasy!

A glass meal prep container filled with Instant Pot pinto beans.

More Instant Pot bean recipes

Meal prep tools for this recipe

Here’s the Instant Pot I use.
Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on meal prepping these pinto beans.