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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!
If you don’t have the time to make homemade beans try our hack for How to Make Canned Refried Beans Taste Like Restaurant Style!
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.
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:
- 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.
- Let the pressure release naturally then move to “venting” to let the remaining steam release.
- Next, open the lid and place 2 cups of the cooking liquid into a measuring cup.
- Drain the beans.
- 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.
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
Instant Pot Refried Beans
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
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
Nutrition
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!
Katie says
Looks super good! Can’t wait to try it.
Jess Jankowski says
Let us know how it goes!
Justine says
We looooove refried beans! I love that this is also an easy recipe that the kids can help with 😉
Jess Jankowski says
Glad you love it as much as we do!
Carol says
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.
Jess Jankowski says
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/
Kathy says
This looks great!! I can’t wait to try it!!!!
Jess Jankowski says
Thank you! They are the perfect complement to any meal!
Calvin says
Really like the texture of these beans, haven’t had refried beans in ages.
Jess Jankowski says
Definitely recommend trying them!
Heather says
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.
Jess Jankowski says
Heather, we love that you make your own broth and that you used it in this recipe! So glad you enjoyed the beans!
Sandi Souza says
This recipe was absolutley amazing and so easy to make. everyone raved on how good they were
Jess Jankowski says
Woohoo Sandi! Thank you for your feedback!
Anonymous says
Having trouble seeing the recipe because your subscription pop-up won’t minimize. Any way you can move it down the screen a tad?
Jess Jankowski says
Have you tried viewing the recipe from a computer or are you using a mobile device? We are not experiencing that issue but sometimes a different browser or device can do the trick.
Sandy Gotter says
Can you use
Canned refried beans In This recipe? Thanks Sandy
Jess Jankowski says
No, there are no canned beans in this recipe.