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Home » Recipes » Instant Pot Pinto Beans NO SOAK

Instant Pot Pinto Beans NO SOAK

Last Updated June 4, 2019. Originally Posted June 5, 2018 By Maggie Unzueta

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Beans and rice and everything spice. That’s what Mexican food is made of. By making these Instant Pot Pinto Beans NO SOAK, you save time without sacrificing taste. Love it!
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Beans and rice and everything spice. That’s what Mexican food is made of. By making these Instant Pot Pinto Beans NO SOAK, you save time without sacrificing taste. Love it! by Mama Maggie's Kitchen

Beans and rice and everything spice. That’s what Mexican food is made of. By making these Instant Pot Pinto Beans NO SOAK, you save time without sacrificing taste. Love it!

Bowl of Pinto beans next to an Instant Pot

Each week, I make a big pot of beans. Frijoles de la Olla is a staple in Mexican food. I can make several dishes with beans, or just eat them as a side dish. Heck, I will even eat a bowl of beans for lunch. When I got my Instant Pot, the first thing I tried to make was Instant Pot Pinto Beans. My friends, you’re going to love this recipe!

dried pinto beans

It starts off the same as regular Frijoles de la Olla. Sort the beans.

Hand holding cracked pinto beans

Remove any broken pieces. Any partial pieces. Missing the skin. All go into the trash.

Hand holding rock from the pinto beans

Don’t skip this step! Can’t tell you how many times I’ve found tiny rocks in the dried beans. Yes, this is a rock I found in my bag of beans.

Faucet water rinsing pinto beans in a metal strainer

From here, you must wash, rinse, repeat. Again, don’t skip this step, or your beans will taste like dirt. Ewwww! Not sure about you, but I don’t like to eat dirt. Well, not since I was 2-years-old at least. lol.

Rinsed Pinto Beans

These are rinsed beans… To soak? Or not to soak? That is the question. I experimented with this a few times before writing the post, and I found that you don’t have to soak the beans. Say what?!! More on that in a minute…

1 teaspoon of salt over the Instant Pot with beans

Place your beans in the Instant Pot. Add salt. Typically, we use a lot of salt, but because we’re using an Instant Pot and less water, use less salt. I recommend 1 teaspoon for 8 cups of water.

Tablespoon of Oil over the Instant Pot Pinto Beans

Oil… I know. I know. Totally not traditional, but it helps with the foaming and prevents clogging up the pressure valve. Add the water and lock the lid on your Instant Pot.

Instant Pot valve sealed

I cooked them for 35 minutes at High Pressure. Then full natural release about 20-30 minutes. Then… be careful moving that valve!! … switch the valve to “venting.”

Cooked beans in the Instant Pot

Lastly, CAREFULLY open up the lid, and your beans are ready.

Spoonful of Cooked Pinto Beans

What I found out about Instant Pot Pinto Beans:

There will be more cracked beans than pinto beans cooked on the stovetop or in the slow cooker.

They are also more mushy, but if you’re making yummy and creamy refried beans or sticking them in a soup, this isn’t a problem.

Full natural release is better than quick release. It will help prevent all of the above.

Instant Pot Pinto Beans

The only problem that I found with the NO SOAK method: The beans are not as plump. Soaking allows the beans to absorb the water and get nice a fat. If you decide to not soak the beans, know that they will be smaller.

Some people say that soaked beans help with digestion, and you won’t have so many tummy issues. I’ve never experienced this firsthand.

Not So Spicy Beans

With an Instant Pot, you can only add so much liquid in order for the beans to cook properly. That’s why you can’t make a big pot of beans. Instead, I recommend to cook in batches.

If they are not cooked thoroughly… yes, it can happen… lock the lid back on the Instant Pot, set pressure cooker HIGH, 5 minutes. The pot will go back up to pressure quicker because it’s still hot. Then carefully test the beans if ready. Hope you enjoy!


See my original recipe for Frijoles de la Olla, or Cooked Pinto Beans.

Bowl of Pinto beans next to an Instant Pot

Instant Pot Pinto Beans NO SOAK

Beans and rice and everything spice. That’s what Mexican food is made of. By making these Instant Pot Pinto Beans NO SOAK, you save time without sacrificing taste. Love it!
5 from 14 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 3 minutes
Servings: 5 cups
Calories: 154kcal
Author: Maggie Unzueta

Ingredients

  • 1 lb pinto beans
  • 8 cups Water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon oil

Instructions

  • Sort beans, removing all broken beans.
  • Wash and rinse several times, removing all the dirt.
  • Place in the Instant Pot.
  • Add the water, salt, and oil.
  • Seal the Instant Pot lid and set the steam valve to "Sealing."
  • Set to high pressure for 35 minutes.
  • When the cycle ends, allow for the full natural release. 
  • Move the switch valve to “Venting.” Allow all the steam to release before opening.
  • Carefully open the lid.
  • Enjoy!
  • Note: If the beans are not fully cooked, return to the Instant Pot and set on high pressure for 5 minutes.

Notes

Remove any broken pieces. Any partial pieces. Missing the skin. All go into the trash.
 You must wash, rinse, repeat. Again, don’t skip this step, or your beans will taste like dirt.
If you decide to not soak the beans, know that they will be smaller.

Nutrition

Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 485mg | Potassium: 396mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.


Filed Under: Healthy, Mexican, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian

About Maggie Unzueta

Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Swathi

    October 5, 2020 at 3:43 pm

    5 stars
    Instant pot pinto beans looks delicous I like it I too make likt this.

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      October 7, 2020 at 11:37 am

      Hope you try it! This recipe is amazing!

      Reply
    • Luly O

      August 19, 2021 at 7:42 pm

      5 stars
      The best beans you can make, delicious and super easy!!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        September 3, 2021 at 9:34 am

        I couldn’t agree more. 🙂 Thanks for your comment!

      • Maggie Unzueta

        September 14, 2021 at 9:58 am

        Thanks! I refuse to make beans another way.

  2. Alexandra

    October 5, 2020 at 7:54 pm

    5 stars
    Such a great use for the instant pot!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      October 7, 2020 at 11:37 am

      I agree and this recipe is amazing too!

      Reply
  3. Amanda Marie Boyle

    October 6, 2020 at 3:06 am

    5 stars
    This makes working with beans so much easier!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      October 7, 2020 at 11:36 am

      Right? So much easier!

      Reply
  4. Meesha

    October 6, 2020 at 4:55 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for the tip !

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      October 7, 2020 at 11:34 am

      You’re welcome Meesha! Hope you try it

      Reply
  5. Chef Dennis

    October 9, 2020 at 5:30 am

    5 stars
    I love pinto beans and thats such a great way to cook them!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      October 9, 2020 at 5:29 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this!

      Reply
  6. Lex

    February 4, 2021 at 9:33 am

    5 stars
    I halved this recipe and it worked out great within the same time limit and not being soaked. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      February 15, 2021 at 12:02 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this!

      Reply
  7. Terence Lawson

    March 26, 2021 at 11:07 am

    Absolutely 💯 delicious!!
    My new go to recipe for perfect beans
    Thank you!!!@

    Reply
    • Maggie U

      March 30, 2021 at 1:12 pm

      So glad you enjoyed this!

      Reply
  8. Marian Krauss

    July 31, 2021 at 8:08 am

    Could you use bacon grease for the oil?

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      August 3, 2021 at 1:38 pm

      Yes. I’m sure the beans will come out yummy too!

      Reply
  9. Nicole Arredondo

    October 9, 2021 at 10:09 am

    5 stars
    Only way to make beans now. Quick, easy, and tasty.

    Reply
    • Maggie Unzueta

      October 11, 2021 at 10:13 am

      Yes! The best way ever!

      Reply
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