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Home » Recipes By Cost » $5 Recipes » Instant Pot Refried Beans – a healthy recipe!

Instant Pot Refried Beans – a healthy recipe!

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Recipe Cost $3.09
Recipe Serving Cost $0.52
Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
This Instant Pot Refried Beans recipe is so creamy, delicious, and healthy! It serves 6, makes 3 cups of beans, and costs $3.09 to make. That’s just 52¢ per serving! via @easybudgetrecipesThis Instant Pot Refried Beans recipe is so creamy, delicious, and healthy! It serves 6, makes 3 cups of beans, and costs $3.09 to make. That’s just 52¢ per serving! via @easybudgetrecipes

This Instant Pot Refried Beans recipe is so creamy, delicious, and healthy! It serves 6, makes 3 cups of beans, and costs $3.09 to make. That’s just 52¢ per serving!

Finished Instant Pot Refried Beans with text overlay for social media.

Do you have a Mexican night on your weekly menu plan? I definitely do. My family LOVES Mexican food. Refried beans were one of the very first recipes I tried in my Instant Pot when I first got it. I have been making them regularly ever since while playing around with the recipe to get it just right!

I LOVE refried beans, but what I do not love is the lard that a lot of the recipes call for. Don’t get me wrong, they are super yummy, but not too friendly on the hips if you know what I mean! 

That’s why this recipe was created. We wanted a healthy version of refried beans that we could throw in the Instant Pot and walk. You simply throw everything in the Instant Pot (except for the butter and garnishes) and the Instant Pot does all of the work for you! 

This recipe makes about 3-4 cups of refried beans depending on the consistency that you like. I usually make this recipe one night for dinner and then have enough to snack on with tortilla chips for the rest of the week. You can also double the recipe and freeze it in batches. 

Close up picture of refried beans in a bowl with a wooden serving spoon.

Healthy Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe Questions Answered:

Are refried beans healthy?

Yes! Especially when you make them yourself. Refried beans are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. They are high in other vitamins such as protein, Vitamin C, and Magnesium. Refried beans are also an excellent source of dietary fiber. 

What can I make with refried beans?

Beans are delicious with so many things! They make a perfect side dish to complete a meal. Serve them alongside tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or with some chips and salsa. 

How do you make beans taste good?

It is all about the seasoning. Adding the spices in the recipe below creates a burst of flavor in every bite. 

Can you make this recipe in the Crock-Pot?

Yes! You can make this recipe in a slow cooker. Jill’s other website has a highly-rated Crock-Pot Refried Beans recipe. 

How to Make Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe:

  1. First, place all of the ingredients except for butter and garnishes in an Instant Pot and stir it. Move the vent to “seal.” Press manual and cook on high for 45 minutes. 
  2. Let the pressure release naturally then move to “venting” to let the remaining steam release.
  3. Next, open the lid and place 2 cups of the cooking liquid into a measuring cup. 
  4. Drain the beans.
  5. Puree the beans and add cooking liquid as needed. Add garnishes and serve. 

How to get the kids involved with this recipe:

  • Ages 2-3: Let them pour in the ingredients into the Instant Pot and stir them together. 
  • Ages 4-5: Let them measure out the ingredients to add into the Instant Pot. Also, teach them how to close the lid on the Instant Pot. 
  • Ages 6-8: Teach them how to turn on the Instant Pot and shut the lid. Teach them how to use an immersion blender to puree the beans. 
  • Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe. Also, teach them Instant Pot safety before they begin! 
  • Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!

Discover why we love getting the kids involved in the kitchen and more tips in our How to Get Kids Involved In Cooking article.

Instant Pot Refried Beans in a serving bowl garnished with cheese and cilantro.

The flavor and Recipe Variations:

  • To add some spice add some fresh diced jalapenos. 
  • Feel free to omit the butter in the recipe below to make these beans super-duper healthy. 

What to Serve with this recipe:

  • Easy Navajo Tacos
  • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
  • Easy Taco Pizza
  • Green Chile Enchilada Casserole
  • Machaca Burritos

More Healthy Recipes:

  • 15-Minute Skillet Tilapia
  • Dry Roasted Chickpeas
  • Easy Chana Masala
  • Easy Oven Baked Salmon
  • Green Smoothie
  • Grab and Go Yogurt Parfait Boxes
  • Healthy Greek Mason Jar Salads
  • Homemade Granola
  • Italian Zucchini Boats
  • Mango Banana Smoothie
  • Mexican Chicken Rice Bowls
  • Zucchini Taco Boats
  • Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

How long is this good for:

  • Serve: You can leave the beans out for no longer than 2 hours. 
  • Store: Leftovers will keep in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. 
  • Freeze: Place beans in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Let the beans thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. When you reheat the beans you may need to add a couple of tablespoons of water to loosen the beans. 

How much will this Instant Pot Refried Beans recipe cost:

RECIPE COST: $3.09

PRICE PER SERVING: $0.26

  • 1 pound dried pinto beans – $0.74
  • 4 cups chicken stock – $1.32
  • 1 small white onion – $0.70
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cumin – $0.04
  • 3 cups water – $0.00
  • 1 teaspoon salt – $0.01
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder – $0.03
  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter – $0.20
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano – $0.05

To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.

Cook’s Tools:

  • instant pot
  • immersion blender or potato masher
  • small mixing bowl
  • liquid measuring cup
  • wooden spoon
  • colander
  • ladle

Picture collage of Instant Pot Refried Beans with text overlay for Pinterest.

Instant Pot Refried Beans in a serving bowl garnished with cheese and cilantro.
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5 from 5 votes

Instant Pot Refried Beans

Recipe Cost $3.09
Recipe Serving Cost $0.52
This Instant Pot Refried Beans recipe is so creamy, delicious, and healthy! It serves 6, makes 3 cups of beans, and costs $3.09 to make. That’s just 52¢ per serving!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time45 mins
GETTING INSTANT POT UP TO TEMP & PRESSURE RELEASE TIME45 mins
Total Time1 hr 40 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: pinto beans
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 182kcal
Author: Easy Budget Recipes Original!

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Immersion blender OR potato masher
  • small mixing bowl
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Wooden spoon
  • Colander
  • Ladle

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried pinto beans rinsed and picked over
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 small white onion , finely diced (or 1 teaspoon onion powder)
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter optional

GARNISHES:

  • Shredded Mexican cheese blend optional
  • Sliced jalapeno optional
  • Chopped fresh cilantro optional
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Place all of the ingredients except for butter and garnishes in an Instant Pot and give it a good stir.
  • Move the vent to “seal”. Press MANUAL and cook on HIGH for 45 minutes.
  • Once the 45 minutes are up, let the pressure release naturally for 25 minutes. Then, move the vent to “venting” and let the remaining steam release.
  • Open the lid. Ladle 2 cups of the cooking liquid into a bowl or measuring cup. Drain the beans into a large colander.
  • Return the beans to the pot and use an immersion blender (or potato masher) to puree the beans. Add in some of the cooking liquid until your desired consistency is reached. Add butter (if using) and stir until melted.
  • Garnish (optional) and serve.

Notes

This recipe makes about 3 cups of refried beans. 

Nutrition

Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 414mg | Potassium: 631mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you love this recipe?We'd love to hear from you, follow us on our Facebook page @EasyBudgetRecipesOfficial and let us know how it turned out in the comments below!

This Instant Pot Refried Beans recipe is so creamy, delicious, and healthy! It serves 6, makes 3 cups of beans, and costs $3.09 to make. That’s just 52¢ per serving!

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Filed Under: $5 Recipes, Healthy, Instant Pot, Side Dish Tagged With: chicken stock, dried oregano, garlic powder, ground cumin, pinto beans, salt, unsalted butter, white onion

Previous Post: « Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Next Post: Grandma’s Homemade White Bread – makes 2 loaves for $2.34! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katie

    March 18, 2020 at 9:57 am

    5 stars
    Looks super good! Can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      March 18, 2020 at 4:03 pm

      Let us know how it goes!

  2. Justine

    March 18, 2020 at 10:11 am

    5 stars
    We looooove refried beans! I love that this is also an easy recipe that the kids can help with 😉

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      March 18, 2020 at 4:03 pm

      Glad you love it as much as we do!

  3. Carol

    March 18, 2020 at 5:43 pm

    Would you by any chance have this recipe for a crock pot? I don’t have an Instant Pot, & my apartment kitchen is just too small for another appliance. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      March 20, 2020 at 11:04 pm

      Hi Carol. We haven’t made this specific recipe in a crock pot before. However, Jill has a refried beans recipe made in a crock pot on her other food site. Here is the link. Enjoy! https://foodfolksandfun.net/refried-beans-recipe/

  4. Kathy

    March 25, 2020 at 6:00 pm

    5 stars
    This looks great!! I can’t wait to try it!!!!

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      March 25, 2020 at 8:42 pm

      Thank you! They are the perfect complement to any meal!

  5. Calvin

    May 13, 2020 at 12:34 pm

    Really like the texture of these beans, haven’t had refried beans in ages.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      May 14, 2020 at 9:27 am

      Definitely recommend trying them!

  6. Heather

    January 12, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    5 stars
    I made this recipe today. The beans were delicious. I added about a quarter teaspoon more garlic powder and salt after I pureed the beans. I make my broth so I do typically increase the salt a smidge in recipes for that reason. If I had used packaged broth I doubt I would have adjusted seasonings. This one’s getting put on regular rotation in my meal plan.

    Reply
    • Jess Jankowski

      January 13, 2021 at 6:28 am

      Heather, we love that you make your own broth and that you used it in this recipe! So glad you enjoyed the beans!

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Beth, Jill, and Jess of Easy Budget Recipes

We’re Beth, Jill, and Jess, and we’re the team of sisters-in-law behind Easy Budget Recipes!

Combined, we have over 50 years of cooking, meal planning, and budgeting experience. Each of our recipes serves at least six people, and we have broken down the cost of every recipe for you so that it’s easier to budget your shopping list every week!

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