Instant Pot Refried Black Beans are a quick and healthy way to make this Mexican favorite. Save time by cooking dried black beans in a pressure cooker, then season and mash the beans to finish it off. Skip the store-bought canned beans and opt for this easy homemade recipe instead!
Quick Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe
Given how long it typically takes to cook beans from scratch, canned refried beans are a pretty good alternative.
But these Instant Pot Refried Beans turn all of that on its head. They give you the flavor of refried beans from scratch and the convenience of being able to cook them up more quickly!
Sure, it might sound too good to be true. But it’s not, thanks to this plussed up, no-soak quick Instant Pot Black Beans Recipe.
The Instant Pot cooks the dried beans under pressure so they are soft and tender in a fraction of the time. You’ll then use similar seasonings as in this Refried Black Beans Recipe.
Once you make them this way, you may never go back to the canned kind of frijoles refritos again!
Taco Tuesdays just got a lot healthier with these homemade Mexican refried black beans.
Ingredients
To make this homemade refried beans recipe you need:
- Black beans. You should be easily able to find dried black beans at the local grocery store. They come in small and big bags.
- Cooking liquid. Both broth (either chicken or vegetable broth) and water are used. Steer clear of beef broth as the flavor is too strong. If needed, you can use only water.
- Oil. Either avocado oil or olive oil will work. Look for a neutral oil with a higher smoke point.
- Onion. Both red and white can be used in this recipe. You need to dice the onion first. The smaller the better so the flavor can disperse throughout the beans.
- Garlic. Minced garlic is essential to add a deep, rich flavor to these beans.
- Seasonings. A variety of Mexican spices are used in this recipe. Ground cumin, chili powder, and black pepper are needed for that authentic flavor.
- Cilantro. Fresh cilantro adds a nice pop of fresh flavor at the end of cooking.
How to Make Instant Pot Refried Black Beans?
Below, you’ll find the steps to follow to make this healthy refried beans recipe:
Sort the Beans
Store-bought dried black beans need to be sorted before using them. There are often broken beans along with twigs or dirt in them.
Pour the dry beans into a colander and rinse them under running water. Use your hands to look for anything that needs to be removed.
Cook in the Instant Pot
Add the sorted black beans, water, vegetable or chicken broth, and salt to a 6-quart Instant Pot.
Give everything a good stir, then place the lid on.
Make sure the pressure valve is in the sealing position.
Using a manual setting, set the Instant Pot to high pressure, then set the timer to 30 minutes.
It will probably take around 10 minutes for it to come to full pressure before the timer starts.
After the timer is up, allow a 20-minute natural release. This extra time is essential to allow them to finish cooking.
Then, release the valve for the remaining pressure and open the lid.
Strain the Beans
Carefully pour the cooked beans into a colander over a large bowl. Use oven mitts as the pot will be hot.
Save the liquid because you will want some of it in a bit.
Make the Base
Set the empty Instant Pot to the sauté function. Add the oil and allow it to heat up. Toss in the diced onion.
Continue cooking for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until the onions are translucent. Add in the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
Sprinkle the seasonings over the onion and garlic. Stir well and sauté for another minute.
Add the Beans and Mash
Pour the beans back into the Instant Pot along with ½ cup of the reserved liquid. Mix until everything is well-combined.
You can either mash the black beans with a potato masher or an immersion blender, depending on the consistency you want. A masher will yield a chunkier result while the blender gives you a creamy texture.
Cook the processed beans for another 2-3 minutes, adding reserved cooking liquid to get the desired consistency.
Meal Prep and Storage
- How to prep ahead of time: You can easily make this recipe in its entirety a day or two before you need it.
- How to store: Keep leftover refried beans in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.
- How to freeze: Refried beans freeze well in a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months.
- How to reheat: For best results, warm refried black beans back up in a skillet on the stove top over medium-low heat, adding water as needed.
Are refried black beans healthy?
When you make these refried black beans at home, they are a healthy alternative to the store-bought kind. By controlling how much oil or butter is added and how they are cooked, you can feel good about enjoying them. In general, black beans are considered an excellent source of plant-based protein and packed full of fiber.
What are refried beans?
Refried beans are dried black or pinto beans that have been cooked, then cooked again in oil or lard along with seasonings.
Are refried beans gluten-free? Keto?
Refried beans ARE gluten-free, however, they are NOT keto. While these beans are a healthy alternative for fiber and protein, they are not the low-carb, high-fat combination needed for keto foods.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Clean ’em off. Run the dried black beans under running water in a colander to ensure there are no broken pieces or debris.
- No-soak. There is no need to soak these beans in water before cooking!
- Make it work. You can use broth and water for more flavor or stick with just water if that’s all you have.
- Perfect for preppers. Make a double batch and freeze some for later.
- Use them up. These refried beans can be used in SO many of your favorite Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes.
What to Serve with Refried Black Beans?
Easy refried beans from the Instant Pot are the perfect side dish to a variety of Mexican recipes. Try one of these for a complete meal.
Pair Homemade Tortilla Chips with Roasted Salsa, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Tomatillo Salsa Verde or even Pico de Gallo.
Of course, your favorite type of rice, like Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice, Cilantro Lime Rice, Mexican Rice, Instant Pot Mexican Rice, or even plain Instant Pot White Rice, are delicious with beans.
Fiesta Lime Chicken, Spicy Shrimp Tacos, Taco Stuffed Bell Peppers, and Air Fryer Fish Tacos are delicious main dishes.
More Black Bean Recipes
Black beans can be enjoyed in SO many ways! Try one of these recipes next.
Refried Black Beans or Instant Pot Black Beans are perfect in your favorite Mexican dishes.
Black Bean and Corn Salsa, Chipotle Burrito Bowl, and Mexican Quinoa Salad are packed with protein from beans and delicious with any Tex-Mex cooking.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup black beans dried
- 2 cups water plus additional, if needed
- 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable, reduced sodium*
- 1 ½ tsp. salt divided
- 2 Tbsp. oil avocado or olive
- ½ small white or red onion finely diced, about ¾ cup
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- ½ tsp. cumin
- ½ tsp. chili powder
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- Cilantro finely chopped, optional
Instructions
- Sort beans to remove any rocks or twigs then rinse in a fine mesh strainer or colander under cool running water.
- Add the beans, 2 cups water, broth, and 2 teaspoons of salt to a 6-quart Instant Pot. Ensure the pressure release valve is sealed.
- Using the manual function, set the Instant Pot to high pressure and the timer to 30 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to fully pressurize before the timer starts counting down.
- Once the time is up, allow a 20-minute natural pressure release before releasing the pressure valve and opening the lid.
- Strain the beans using a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and reserve the liquid.
- Turn the Instant Pot to the saute function (normal) and add the oil and diced onion. Saute for 3-4 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent. Add the garlic and continue sauteing for an additional 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Mix in the cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir and saute for a minute.
- Pour in the beans and ½ cup of reserved liquid and mix until everything is well combined. Mash the beans with a potato masher until there are very few whole beans remaining. You can also blend with an immersion blender if you want them super creamy.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes and then add additional liquid until your desired consistency is reached.
- Serve immediately with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro and enjoy!
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Notes
- One serving = 1/2 cup refried beans.
- Can also use water in place of the broth.
Meal Prep and Storage
- How to prep ahead of time: You can easily make this recipe in its entirety a day or two before you need it.
- How to store: Keep leftover refried beans in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.
- How to freeze: Refried beans freeze well in a freezer bags or container for up to 3 months.
- How to reheat: For best results, warm black beans back up in a skillet on the stove top over medium-low heat adding water as needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
