Name: Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 tbsp corn oil, or vegetable oil; 1/4 cup yellow onion, diced; 1/2 large jalapeño, sliced (optional); 2 cups pinto beans, dried, rinsed and picked through; 4 cups chicken broth; 1/2 tbsp salt; 1/2 tbsp garlic powder; 1 tsp chili powder; 3 tbsp lard, found in the baking aisle

There's something deeply satisfying about a bowl of creamy, flavorful refried beans made from scratch. This Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe brings that comforting taste to your table fast and fuss-free, with rich, hearty beans that feel just like they’ve simmered all day—without the wait!

A white bowl filled with two main layers: the bottom layer is creamy brown refried beans with a thick texture, and the top layer is melted bright yellow shredded cheese, mostly covering one half of the beans. Two metal spoons are stuck together in the middle of the bowl, partially sinking into the beans. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, and some blurred green cilantro leaves are visible in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I made refried beans at home. Using the Instant Pot turned a normally slow recipe into an easy midweek win. This Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe is a total game changer if you want homemade flavor without the all-day cooking.

Speed meets flavor: Pressure cooking cuts hours into minutes, but you still get rich, deeply seasoned beans.
Simplicity at its best: Just a handful of pantry staples create a classic dish you can rely on anytime.
Customizable texture: Mash your beans exactly how you like — creamy smooth or with a little bite.
Perfect every time: The Instant Pot’s controlled cooking environment means less guesswork and consistently great results.

A white bowl filled with a thick, creamy brown bean dish topped with melted shredded orange cheese. A silver spoon is lifting a scoop of this dish, showing a chunky texture mixed with beans and cheese strands. The surface beneath has a white marbled texture, with fresh green herbs blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients come together to balance hearty earthiness and warm spice, giving your beans a comforting depth and luscious texture. Make sure your dried pinto beans are fresh and rinsed well for optimal flavor and to avoid any grit sneaking in.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden corn oil, a small white ceramic bowl of finely diced yellow onion, a few fresh sliced green jalapeño rings, a small white ceramic bowl filled with dried light brown pinto beans, a small white ceramic bowl of rich golden chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl of coarse white salt, a small white ceramic bowl of pale beige garlic powder, a small white ceramic bowl of deep red chili powder, a small white ceramic dish with a chunk of creamy white lard placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Corn oil (or vegetable oil): Provides a neutral base to sauté aromatics without overpowering the flavor.
Yellow onion: Adds natural sweetness and depth to the bean base.
Jalapeño (optional): Just enough heat and brightness to lift the beans.
Pinto beans, dried: The star of the show, delivering creamy texture and classic flavor.
Chicken broth: Infuses the beans with savory umami instead of just water.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors — don’t skip it!
Garlic powder: Gives a warm garlicky undertone without fresh garlic overpowering the mix.
Chili powder: Brings a subtle smoky spice that rounds out the beans.
Lard: Traditional fat that adds richness and helps create that classic “fried” bean texture.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to keep this recipe classic, but swapping jalapeño for a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce adds a smoky kick that instantly revs up the flavor. Feel free to tweak the spice levels or swap the lard for olive oil if you’re leaning towards a lighter version.

Variation: I once added a sprinkle of smoked paprika for a subtly sweet smokiness—totally delicious and easy to customize.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the aromatics

Start by setting your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Pour in the corn oil and wait for it to shimmer. Toss in the diced onion and jalapeño slices, letting them soften for about 3 minutes. You want that onion translucent but not browned—this gently builds flavor without bitterness.

Step 2: Add beans and spices

Dump in your rinsed pinto beans, chicken broth, salt, garlic powder, and chili powder. Give it a quick stir to combine, then seal the Instant Pot lid, making sure the valve is set to “Sealed.”

Step 3: Pressure cook and release

Set the Instant Pot to cook on High Pressure for 45 minutes. Once it’s done, let it naturally release pressure for 20 minutes—this is key for perfectly tender beans. After that, carefully flip the valve to release any leftover steam. Scoop the beans and liquid out into a bowl while still hot.

Step 4: Fry and mash

Put the Instant Pot liner back in and switch on Sauté mode again. Add the lard and wait until it’s melted and bubbling lightly. Now, pour the beans back in to fry a bit in the rich fat—this adds that classic refried texture and flavor. Use a potato masher to mash them to your liking, then turn off the pot and serve.

Top Tip

From my experience making this Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe, the natural pressure release step is a lifesaver for tenderness. Rushing it can leave beans a bit tough, so patience pays off!

Patience with Pressure Release: Letting the pressure come down naturally means your beans finish cooking gently and evenly.
Don’t Skip Sautéing the Onion: Those 3 minutes add crucial sweetness and flavor base.
Mash While Frying: Mashing beans directly in the lard locks in richness and gets that perfect creamy consistency.
Watch the Liquid: Using broth instead of water greatly boosts depth, but too much can thin your beans — stick to the recipe’s amounts for best texture.

How to Serve Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe

Instant Pot refried beans - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top these refried beans with a little shredded sharp cheddar and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for color and brightness. Sometimes I add pickled jalapeños or a dollop of sour cream when serving—it adds a nice contrast to the rich beans.

Side Dishes

You'll find this dish pairs beautifully with warm tortillas, Mexican rice, or grilled meats. I love serving it alongside tacos or using it as a creamy layer in burrito bowls.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I spread the refried beans on a platter and top with melted cheese, diced tomatoes, green onions, and let everyone scoop it up with tortilla chips—instant crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover refried beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave, stirring frequently so they don’t dry out.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully! Portion the beans into freezer-safe containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Just give them a good stir when warming to restore their creamy texture.

Reheating

I prefer reheating on the stove in a small pot with a splash of water or broth, which helps loosen the beans without losing flavor or creaminess. Microwaving works too—just cover and stir midway.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can you use canned beans instead of dried for this Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe?

While you can use canned beans to save time, dried beans cooked in the Instant Pot develop a much richer, creamier texture and deeper flavor that canned just can't match. If using canned, adjust liquid accordingly and reduce cooking time.

Is lard necessary in this recipe?

Lard really adds that traditional richness and helps achieve the authentic fried texture. You can substitute with vegetable oil or bacon fat if you prefer, but it won’t be quite the same depth of flavor.

How do I adjust the recipe for a smaller Instant Pot?

If you have a smaller Instant Pot, like a 6-quart, you can follow the same ingredient amounts for about half the portion size to avoid overfilling. The cook time stays the same, but you might want to check bean tenderness after cooking.

Can I make these beans vegan?

Absolutely! Just swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and replace the lard with your preferred plant-based oil. The flavor will still be delicious and creamy.

Final Thoughts

This Instant Pot Refried Beans Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it transforms humble ingredients into a velvety, comforting side that's endlessly versatile. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do—it’s one of those recipes you’ll reach for again and again when you want classic homemade goodness with very little hassle.