Instant Pot Pinto Beans – Food Faith Fitness

Prep for only five minutes, then sit back, relax, and enjoy!

As a staple in Central and South American diets, pinto beans have been growing in Peru and Mexico for over 7,000 years! This makes them one of the oldest cultivated crops in these areas, and they have served as a fundamental part of local diets alongside other staples like corn and squash for generations.

As a nutty and mild bean, the pinto makes a hearty carrier for whatever kind of seasonings you like. The beauty of this recipe is that it goes well with nearly anything, for any meal, any time of day. You can serve it over rice, or use it as a dip for chips. You can spice it up with cayenne or hot sauce, or you can make it tangy with a squeeze of lime juice or lemon juice.

Even for breakfast, this could make a great side to fried eggs and bacon – in Colombia, this dish is called calentado which literally means “heated up,” reflecting its origins as a way to repurpose leftovers from the previous day’s meals. Calentado is usually made from leftover beans and rice, eggs, bacon, or other proteins like sausage or beef. It’s typically served with arepas (corn cakes), and sometimes avocado or plantains.

Whichever route you take, you’ll be on an adventure of tender texture and mouthwatering flavor. These beans can’t be beat!

Are Instant Pot Pinto Beans Healthy?

People often ask me which I prefer to cook: dried beans or canned beans. Obviously, canned beans are more convenient, but they also tend to have added preservatives or a lot of sodium. When you have an Instant Pot, the easy prep and the wholesome finished product makes waiting worth it. Using dried beans offers a more flavorful bean and less risk of nutrient loss, and you can control everything that goes into this dish.

And what little pockets of nutrition these beans are! They contain iron, magnesium, thiamin, zinc, and calcium, and not to mention, plenty of plant-based protein and fiber. As written, this recipe is gluten-free, vegan, and sugar-free. It’s simple, healthy, and easy. What more could you ask for?

What Does “Pinto” Mean?

In Spanish, pinto means “colored,” “painted,” or “spotted” and refers to the beans’ spotty appearance. This has the same meaning as pinto horses, which are spotted horses of various colors that came from Spain. Pinto beans are native to the Americas and were cultivated by Indigenous peoples long before Spanish colonization, but even to this day, they are a staple in many different culinary identities across the region and beyond.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound dry pinto beans
• 6 cups water
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Rinse beans and add to Instant Pot with spices and water.

Cook
Pressure cook on high for 45 minutes, then natural release.

Serve

Season with salt, stir, and serve hot.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

Serving Suggestions

Aside from serving it with chips or rice, these beans also go well with any hearty Tex-Mex dish like these Green Chicken Enchiladas or my favorite Tuna Tacos. I also love to add these pinto beans into my weeknight Taco Salad or whenever I meal prep my lunchtime Chicken Burrito Bowl.

For a lighter, Peruvian-inspired option, try mixing these pinto beans into this Vegan Ceviche and blast your beautiful body with yummy veggies.

Whichever option you choose, feel free to experiment to your heart’s content… these beans go great on nearly anything!