Imagine transforming humble dried black beans into a restaurant-quality side dish that'll make your taste buds dance with joy! These Instant Pot Refried Black Beans are not just a simple recipe, but a culinary journey that brings the rich, authentic flavors of Mexico straight to your dinner table in less than an hour. Whether you're a busy home cook or a Mexican cuisine enthusiast, this foolproof method will revolutionize the way you think about homemade beans forever.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried black beans
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the dried black beans thoroughly under cold water, removing any stones or debris.
- Place the rinsed black beans into the Instant Pot, along with diced onion, minced garlic, cumin, and vegetable broth.
- Ensure there is enough liquid to cover the beans by about 1 inch, adding additional broth or water if needed.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to sealing position, and select the Manual or Pressure Cook setting.
- Cook on high pressure for 25-30 minutes, allowing natural pressure release for 10 minutes after cooking completes.
- Once pressure is released, open the lid and check bean tenderness. Beans should be soft and easily mashed.
- Drain excess liquid, reserving some for potential moisture adjustment during mashing.
- Using a potato masher or immersion blender, mash the beans to desired consistency - smooth or slightly chunky.
- Season with additional salt to taste, and adjust moisture by adding reserved cooking liquid if needed.
- Serve hot as a side dish, in burritos, or as a base for other Mexican-inspired recipes.
Tips
- Always sort and rinse your dried beans carefully to remove any small stones or debris that could affect the texture.
- For extra flavor depth, consider adding a bay leaf or a small piece of bacon during cooking for a more complex taste profile.
- Don't discard all the cooking liquid - reserving some helps you control the final consistency of your refried beans.
- If you prefer a smoother texture, use an immersion blender. For a chunkier style, use a potato masher.
- Allow for natural pressure release to ensure beans are evenly and thoroughly cooked.
- Taste and adjust seasoning after mashing - sometimes beans need an extra pinch of salt or cumin to really shine.
- These beans freeze beautifully! Store in airtight containers for up to 3 months for quick future meals.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 417kcal
Carbohydrates: 77g
Protein: 28g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
