Instant Pot Pinto Beans are a hearty, protein-packed dish perfect for busy days. Made with tender pinto beans, aromatic spices, and a rich broth, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Using the Instant Pot drastically cuts down cooking time, making it a quick, healthy, and versatile meal great as a side dish, taco filling, or a wholesome main course.
Ingredients
- 3 slices bacon
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 pound dried pinto beans, rinsed
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ cup chopped onions, or to taste (Optional)
- 2 green chile peppers
- 1 ¼ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients.
- Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot) and select Sauté function. Add bacon and cook, turning once, 4 to 6 minutes.
- Add chicken broth, pinto beans, water, onions, chile peppers, garlic powder, salt, chili powder, cumin, and paprika. Close and lock the lid.
- Select high pressure according to manufacturer’s instructions; set timer for 45 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
- Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer’s instructions, 10 to 40 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.
- Remove bacon and chile peppers; chop to desired consistency and return to the pot. Mash beans with a potato masher until they reach desired consistency.

