Instant Pot Refried Beans – a healthy recipe!

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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:

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.

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

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Instant Pot Refried Beans

Recipe Cost 3.09

Serving Cost 0.52

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Mexican

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!

Servings: 6 people

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Equipment

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

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 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

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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!