Prepare to transform your kitchen into a Mexican culinary paradise with these mouthwatering Instant Pot Vegan Charro Beans! Imagine a dish so rich, so perfectly seasoned, that it will make even meat-lovers forget about traditional bean recipes. This plant-based marvel delivers incredible depth of flavor in under an hour, proving that vegan cooking can be quick, easy, and absolutely irresistible. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a protein-packed, authentically spiced bean dish that'll have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound pinto beans
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño, chopped
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse the pinto beans thoroughly under cold water, removing any stones or damaged beans. Drain completely.
- Select the Sauté mode on your Instant Pot. Add a small amount of oil and sauté the diced onion until translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and chopped jalapeño to the pot, cooking for an additional 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add the rinsed pinto beans, vegetable broth, cumin, and a pinch of salt to the Instant Pot. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to sealing position. Select Manual or Pressure Cook mode and set the timer for 35 minutes at high pressure.
- Once cooking cycle completes, allow natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes to ensure beans are tender and fully cooked.
- Carefully open the lid, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving. Beans can be served hot as a side dish or main course.
Tips
- Bean Preparation: Always sort and rinse your pinto beans carefully to remove any potential stones or damaged beans. This ensures a clean, high-quality final dish.
- Sautéing Technique: Don't rush the onion sautéing process. Translucent onions develop a sweeter, more complex flavor that forms the base of your bean's taste profile.
- Garlic Alert: Be extremely cautious when adding garlic during the sauté stage. Burnt garlic can quickly turn bitter and ruin the entire dish's flavor.
- Pressure Cooking Precision: The 35-minute high-pressure cooking time is crucial. It ensures beans are perfectly tender without becoming mushy.
- Natural Pressure Release: Don't skip the 10-15 minute natural pressure release. This step allows beans to continue cooking gently and absorb more flavors.
- Seasoning Tip: Taste and adjust salt after cooking. Beans absorb salt differently during pressure cooking, so final seasoning is key.
- Serving Suggestions: These beans are incredibly versatile. Serve as a main dish, side, or use as a filling for burritos and tacos.
- Storage Hack: These beans freeze beautifully for up to 3 months, making them a perfect meal prep option!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 50g
Protein: 18g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
