Instant Pot Vegan Refried Beans

Gone are the days of soaking beans overnight and simmering them for hours on the stovetop. With the Instant Pot, you can achieve the same rich, savory flavors in a fraction of the time. This revolutionary kitchen appliance combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and more, making it the ultimate tool for busy home cooks and seasoned chefs alike.

Whether you’re a longtime vegan or simply looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet, these homemade refried beans are sure to become a household favorite. Join us as we unlock the secrets to creating creamy, flavorful refried beans in a fraction of the time, all with the magic of the Instant Pot.

Why You Should Make Vegan Refried Beans From Scratch

How many times have you watched someone on YouTube buy their groceries from the bulk section and make a ton of recipes from scratch? They display the immaculate interior of their fridge filled with freshly made foods all organized in wide-mouthed mason jars looking like a magazine cover. Sigh. I’ve always viewed these videos with a deep longing and an equal amount of laziness.

Just this once, let’s pretend that we have the courage to go out to the grocery store, brave the bulk section, and make our own d*mn vegan beans! Don’t be intimidated by this Instant Pot refried beans recipe. It’s so easy, you’ll be amazed at your own ability to handle anything homemade.

Buying beans in bulk is not only easier on the environment, but it will also put more money in your pocket. You’ll certainly save time and energy by using the Instant Pot and we’ll get you in gear for chucking pre-packaged products for good!

Key Ingredients

• Dry Pinto Beans: Pinto beans are the traditional choice for refried beans, providing a creamy texture and earthy flavor. However, you can also use other varieties of beans such as black beans or kidney beans if preferred.
• Vegetable Broth: Use vegetable broth to infuse the beans with flavor during the cooking process. You can use store-bought or homemade vegetable broth, depending on your preference.
• Chipotle Powder: Adds a smoky and slightly spicy flavor to the refried beans.
• Cumin: Enhances the savory profile of the beans.
• Cayenne Pepper (Optional): For those who enjoy a bit of heat, cayenne pepper can be added to the beans for an extra kick. Adjust the amount based on your desired level of spiciness.

How To Make Refried Beans In An Instant Pot

Step 1: The evening before preparing the beans, place the dry beans in a large bowl and cover them with water until the water level reaches about 2 inches above the beans. Allow them to soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. After soaking, drain the bean water and thoroughly rinse the soaked beans.

Step 2: Next, plug in your Instant Pot and transfer the rinsed beans into the pot. Pour in 3 cups of vegetable broth and add the spices. Mix everything well. Secure the lid onto the Instant Pot and ensure it is in the sealed position. Select the manual button and adjust the cooking time to 25 minutes.

Once the pot beeps, indicating it has started the pressure cooking process, allow it to continue until done.

Step 3: Once the Instant Pot has finished cooking, allow it to naturally release pressure for 20 minutes. Then, carefully move the pressure release indicator to release any remaining pressure or steam.

Step 4: Press the off button to turn off the Instant Pot. At this stage, the beans are cooked. You can choose to leave them as they are, or blend or mash them until you reach your desired consistency. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can drain any excess liquid before mashing the beans. Adjust based on whether you prefer your beans smooth and creamy or thick and chunky.

How to Serve Up Refried Beans

Although you may think that these vegan Instant Pot refried beans will be a tad tame, you’ll be delightfully surprised by their rich flavor profile. Especially being oil-free! Here are some delicious ways to ramp up your refried beans even more:

• Tuck Into Tortillas – Beans (and maybe a little long grain rice made in the Instant Pot or easy red rice) rolled up in a tortilla is a no-brainer. Quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying. You can sprinkle in some shredded vegan cheese, shredded lettuce, and a few corn kernels. Bake, pan fry, or eat on the go – they’re all good!
• Nosh With Nachos – To me, nothing is better than a plate of crispy corn chips topped with melted vegan cheddar cheese, chunks of fresh tomato, warm refried beans, and sprinkled with scallions. The ultimate Friday night treat!
• Toast Topper – My teenage son loves this variation! Grab your favorite bread (perhaps a piece of focaccia), toast a slice or two, spread the top with a spoonful of refried beans, a glob of guacamole (or sliced avocado), and a few drops of your favorite hot sauce. Also a great lunch idea.
• Veggie Dip – Cut up some crunchy veggies (cucumbers, carrots, peppers, etc.) and serve alongside a small cupful each of refried beans, smooth salsa, and even a bit of vegan buffalo queso. A really super snack option.

Simple Storage for Your Instant Pot Refried Beans

Instant Pot refried beans are super easy to store in the fridge. Plop them into a covered glass container or serving bowl. They should stay fresh for at least 3-4 days.

To re-heat, simply add them to a small saucepan and cook over medium low until desired temperature. You can also microwave them for a minute or so. If they seem a little dry, add a tablespoon at a time of water or vegetable broth and mix until you have the texture you want.

If you made too many beans that you can’t eat within a few days, feel free to freeze them. Wait until the beans are at room temperature and place them in a freezer-safe bag (like a Stasher bag) or container. They’ll keep for 3-6 months. To defrost, take the beans out and refrigerate them overnight or place in a saucepan and heat on low until heated.

More Incredible Instant Pot Recipes

Don’t miss this round-up of 10 of the best vegan Instant Pot recipes we could find across the web! And here are few of our own delightful recipes that you’ve gotta try:

• Instant Pot Pasta With Vegan Meatballs
• Easy Vegan Instant Pot Soup With Lentils & Vegetables
• Instant Pot Guide

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Vegan Instant Pot Refried Beans

Author: Gina House | World of Vegan

4.88 from 8 votes

No need for canned beans with these vegan Instant Pot refried beans! This rich and creamy recipe for vegan refried beans is infinitely better homemade. Seasoned to pair perfectly with tortillas, salsa, and any other Mexican-inspired dishes, these pressure cooker refried beans will be devoured before you know it!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

For soaking the beans 8 hours hours

Total Time 8 hours hours 50 minutes minutes

Servings 6

Ingredients

• ▢ 16 ounces dry pinto beans, or 2 cups
• ▢ 3 cups vegetable broth
• ▢ 1 teaspoon chipotle 
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cumin
• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional

Instructions

• The night before you want to make the beans, place the dry beans in a large bowl and cover with water until level reaches 2 inches above beans. Let sit at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Drain the bean water and rinse the soaked beans thoroughly.
• Plug in your Instant Pot and pour the rinsed beans into the pot.
• Pour in 3 cups of vegetable broth and add in spices. Mix well.
• Secure the lid onto the Instant Pot and make sure it’s in the sealed position.
• Select the manual button and adjust time to 25 minutes. When the pot beeps, it’s started the pressure and you can leave it until done.
• When the Instant Pot is done cooking, let it sit in natural release for 20 minutes. Move the indicator into the release position to release any extra pressure/steam. Press the off button to turn off.
• At this point the beans are done. You can either keep the beans as they are, blending or mashing until desired consistency, or you can drain any excess liquid before mashing the beans. It depends if you like the texture of your beans smooth and creamy or thick and chunky.

Notes

• If you don’t have pre-made or homemade vegetable broth, feel free to use 2 teaspoons of bouillon paste in 3 cups of water instead.
• Vary the amount of spices to your taste.
• Add a few drops of Cholula or your favorite hot sauce for extra spiciness.

Nutrition

Calories: 10kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.05g | Sodium: 471mg | Potassium: 7mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 272IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Course — Side

Cuisine — Mexican

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Vegan Instant Pot Refried Beans photos by JJ Steele, copyright of World of Vegan™, all rights reserved.