Recipe of the Month: Instant Pot Refried Beans
From GRP skier Adam Martin
Simple, clean, and flavorful, these refried beans will leave you satisfied and feeling good. They do require an overnight soak, but the 30 minutes of preparation time required can be done when convenient in your schedule. Tried and true, this recipe has earned a place on our refrigerator’s weekly meals list.
Makes 6 large servings.
This recipe is from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats.
Ingredients
2 c Dried Pinto Beans
1 Onion, chopped
5 Cloves Garlic, crushed or minced
1 + 1 t Kosher Salt
1 t Cumin
½ t Oregano
½ t Black Pepper, freshly ground if possible
¼ t Cayenne Pepper
2 - 2½ c water
Serving Ideas
Rice
Chips
Avocado
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Sautéed Onions and Peppers
I think the black pepper is key to this recipe, so make sure to measure a full ½ t for best results.
Instructions
The night before serving, in the instant pot bowl, combine the pinto beans, 1 t salt, and enough water to cover the beans by 1 to 2 inches.
At least an hour before serving, drain, rinse, and drain the beans.
Add the garlic, 1 t salt, cumin, oregano, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and enough water to just cover the beans - about 2 c. Mix.
Later in the recipe, extra cooking liquid is discarded. Since the liquid is packed with flavor, I try to minimize the amount that doesn’t end up in the finished product.Layer the onions on top of the bean mixture. They will not be submerged.
Cook the beans on high pressure for 20 minutes and allow to naturally release pressure for at least 10 minutes.
Carefully drain the hot bean mixture, saving the cooking liquid in a bowl.
Mash or carefully puree the cooked beans and add just enough of the cooking liquid until the desired consistency is reached.
I think refried beans taste best when there are remnants of texture from the whole beans, so I use short bursts with an emersion blender until the beans are mostly broken up.
Refried beans make a great burrito bowl. Top a rice and beans base with avocado, sweet potatoes, chips, and other taco toppings for a delicious 1-bowl meal.