Learn how to make super creamy and flavorful refried beans in your Instant Pot. No soaking required to make this recipe and no lard used.Listen or cook along with the audio recipe using the player below.
Add in the chicken base and spices, stir to coat the onions/garlic/jalapeno.
1 tablespoon chicken base, 2 teaspoon chili powder, 2 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Pour in the chicken broth and water, scrape up any bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pot. (this is called deglazing and helps prevent the burn notice)
4 cups Chicken broth, 1 ½ cups water
Now add in the beans and bay leaf. Give everything a good stir.
1 Bay leaf, 1 lb. dry pinto beans
Close the lid on your Instant Pot. Set the pressure valve to seal and set to cook on manual pressure cook, high pressure, normal heat for 50 minutes.
At the end of 50 minutes do a 15 minute natural pressure release, then finish with a quick release of pressure.
Remove the bay leaf and discard. (If there are a few beans on top that didn't stay in the liquid you can skim those off and discard, they may still be hard)
Leave the liquid in the beans. This will help puree the beans perfectly! Puree the beans with an immersion blender or potato masher to your desired consistency. You can also transfer the beans and liquid to a food processor, food mill or blender. Make sure they are slightly cooled if using a blender.
Squeeze a little fresh lime juice into the beans and give them a stir. Taste for additional seasoning (salt or more lime juice).
2 teaspoon fresh lime juice
The refried beans will thicken up quite a bit while cooling.
Reheating
To reheat add a little chicken broth or water to reconstitute the beans. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in a bowl covered with a damp paper towel.
Storing
Your refried beans will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When reheating from frozen let the beans thaw in the fridge overnight. You may need to add a little chicken broth or water if they have thickened while frozen.
Video
Notes
For an even faster refried bean pop over to this recipe for 15 minute Refried Beans (using canned refried beans and pinto beans),