Instant Pot Pinto Beans are a game-changer for easy, delicious, and budget-friendly meals! With just 7 simple ingredients, this no-soak recipe transforms dried beans into tender, creamy perfection in your pressure cooker. These beans are packed with rich, smoky flavor and are versatile enough to shine as a main dish alongside cornbread, but don’t stop there! Serve them up as a hearty side dish, load them into tacos, stir them into chilies, or whip them out when you’re feeding a crowd!
In This Post
About a month ago, I asked my followers on Facebook to share their favorite comfort food. I got over 150 comments, including everything from fried chicken to baked spaghetti, and loaded nachos. But a big surprise was that folks think of pinto beans as one of their favorite comfort foods.
The Secret To Flavorful Pinto Beans
What makes this recipe special is the use of ham steak as a quick and easy way to add a smoky, savory flavor. Unlike other recipes that call for soaking dry beans or cooking with a ham hock for hours, this one gives you that classic Southern flavor under high pressure in less than an hour. Plus, the red pepper flakes add just the right touch of spice to make these beans irresistible.
Pressure Cooker Pinto Beans Ingredients
- Dried pinto beans – No soaking needed, just rinse and go!
- Ham steak – Cubed for a smoky, savory boost.
- Onion – Chopped to add flavor and texture.
- Garlic – Because beans are always better with garlic.
- Olive oil – For sautéing the ham and onion.
- Vegetable broth and water – The perfect combo for flavorful, tender beans.
- Kosher salt – Brings out all the flavors.
- Red pepper flakes – Adds just a hint of heat.
How To Make This Bean Recipe Vegetarian
This gluten-free recipe can be made vegetarian by simply skipping the ham. You can boost the smoky, savory flavor with 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika or ½ teaspoon of liquid smoke, a bay leaf, cumin or chili powder. You can also sauté diced mushrooms or celery with the onion and garlic for an extra layer of umami. The result is a hearty, flavorful pot of beans that’s just as comforting and delicious—completely meat-free!
Recipe Variations
- Spicy Beans: Add a chopped jalapeño when sautéing the onion and garlic, or toss in a pinch of cayenne pepper with the red pepper flakes.
- Smoked Meats: Swap the ham steak for a smoked turkey leg, bacon, or even leftover BBQ pork for a decadent, smoky twist and added protein.
Step By Step Instructions
- Sauté the Base: Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Heat the olive oil, then cook the ham and onion for about 3 minutes.
- Add Everything Else: Pour in the vegetable stock and water, scraping the pot to deglaze it. Stir in the beans, salt, and red pepper flakes.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid, set the valve to “Sealing,” and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for about 15 to 20 minutes, then release the remaining pressure if needed.
- Stir and Serve: Carefully remove the lid, stir the beans, and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve warm with your favorite toppings!
No Instant Pot? No Problem. Use These Stove Top Instructions
- Add the dried beans to a large pot, cover with cool water, and allow to soak overnight. Drain the beans.
- Sautee the onion and ham, add garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add in the stock, water, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the beans to a boil over high heat for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to low and allow the pinto beans to simmer in the cooking liquid until they tender, about 2 to 3 hours. Add water to the beans as needed.
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What To Serve With Pinto Beans
My favorite way to serve this Southern staple is with a sprinkle of chopped onions. For a kick of heat, you can’t go wrong with fresh or pickled jalapeños, and if you really want to honor tradition, add a scoop of Chow Chow—my Mama’s favorite. This pinto beans recipe makes a fantastic meal with creamy slaw and a slice of warm, buttery cornbread or rice. They are delicious served with crock pot salsa chicken, cheese, and avocado or turned into refried beans.
More Southern Side Dishes You’ll Love
If you tried this Pinto Beans Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 8 once ham steak – cut into cubes
- 1 small onion – chopped
- 2 tablespoons garlic – minced
- 1 pound dried pinto beans
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
Instant Pot
- Set Instant Pot to sautee. Add olive oil, onion and, chopped ham. Cook for approximately 3 minutes. Add garlic and, cook for 1 minute. Pour in vegetable stock and water. Add beans, salt and, pepper.
- Secure lid on Instant Pot and close. Set to PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL and set timer to 45 minutes.
- Once timer goes off, allow the steam to release naturally, which will take about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove the lid and stir beans. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with your favorite toppings.
- ** Beans can be kept in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for 3 months.
Stove Top
- Add the dried beans to all large pot, cover with cool water and allow to soak overnight. Drain the beans.Sautee the onion and ham, add garlic and cook for 1 minute.Add in the stock, water, salt, and pepper.Bring the beans to a boil over high heat and boil for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to low and allow the pinto beans to simmer until they tender about 2 to 3 hours. Add water to the beans as needed.
Notes
- Spicy Beans: Add a chopped jalapeño when sautéing the onion and garlic, or toss in a pinch of cayenne pepper with the red pepper flakes.
- Smoked Meats: Swap the ham steak for a smoked turkey leg, bacon, or even leftover BBQ pork for a decadent, smoky twist and added protein.
Nutrition
Want To Know More About Using The Instant Pot?
If you are new to cooking with an Instant Pot or just don’t know where to start, I’ve got something to help. I’ve put together a helpful guide with tips and recipes to get you using the Instant Pot like a pro!
Donya's Top Ten Summer Recipes!
Steal my favorites for a done-for-you menu that packs in the flavor
How long do I cook if i soaked the beans?
Is there a substitute for vegetable brotj
Water.
~Donya
Cooking now, I have 8quart IP, I am doubling the recipe how long should I cook for
Hey there Jen!
I hope I didn’t catch you too late! If you’re doubling the recipe I would recommend you set to pressure cook/manual and set the timer to 1.5 hours. After the timer goes off, allow the steam to release naturally which will take about 20 minutes. I hope this is helpful!
~Donya
These were fantastic! I had country ham so I used that instead of regular ham and omitted the salt. I came across this recipe searching for Instant Pot pintos – when I read the mention of chow chow I knew this was a site for me! Then I went to the about section and was not surprised to learn you are a Tarheel. Me too – born, bred, dead! My grandparents lived in eastern NC and my granny made the best chow chow. If you have a recipe for chow chow, I will be forever grateful! Thank you for sharing your kitchen.
Hey there Leanne!
Wow! It really seems like you were just meant to find my post, I love seeing comments from my NC family. I am absolutely thrilled you’ve found me, thank you so much for your support. I don’t have a Chow Chow recipe up yet, but I’ll let you know if I put one up. Now, I don’t know if it would compare to your Granny’s recipe, most food never compares to Granny’s recipes, but I sure would put my southern soul into it! Thanks again for your sweet words, your fantastic rating, and your support! Welcome to the ASouthernSoul family!
~Donya
Don’t know if I’m off base or not, but I really liked your Waldorf Salad.
Hey Wayne!
Thank you so much for both of your great ratings and sweet comments! I am thrilled you like the Waldorf Salad, its a favorite of my husbands and a real classic. I also saw your previous comment about the Pinto Beans and I can already tell you really are a Southern Soul at heart. There’s nothing better than a comforting dinner of cornbread and Pinto beans over rice, and you’re right you cant forget the sweet tea! I am thrilled you’re liking these classic southern recipes, its the cooking I love to do and love to share! I hope you have a great day!
~Donya
Comfort , I’d be here all night writing. Your pinto beans, I like them just the way you have them plus some Jiffy cornbread. I got a sweet tooth. It’s kind of a toss up because I like the white beans and ham plus you guessed it, Jiffy corn bread. Pinto’s over rice is a very nice meal with fried cornbread. How about fried catfish slaw, taters, and Jiffy cornbread. Don’t forget the sweet tea.
All I can say is DELICIOUS!!!!
I used 1/8tsp of cheyenne pepper instead of red pepper flakes.
Also used himalayan pink salt fine grain instead of kosher salt.
Used 1lb of smoked ham in slices,I like it meaty…
Thanks for the recipe
Wendy Bowers
North Carolina
All of these additions sound OUTSTANDING! I love it, Wendy. Thank you so much for the great rating, too.
Have a wonderful weekend,
~Donya
They came out very tasty, but they weren’t quite soft enough, so I had to cook them on the slow cooker option in the instant pot a little longer. I also didn’t get that good, creamy gravy, but that may have been because I used country ham.
I use smoked turkey
Hey there Barbara!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe! Using smoked turkey is a great idea, sounds like a tasty meal to me! Let me know if you ever have any questions about a recipe, I’d be happy to help!
~Donya
I got an Instant Pot Christmas before last. I used it once with not good results. I am thrilled to see an I.P. recipe from a ‘trusted source’! Will definitely be trying this!
I love the sounds of this recipe <3 But I don't eat ham, I was wondering if you might have a substitution idea that would be good in these beans? Thank you!
Hey Cathryn!
You can leave out the ham all together if you like. You can also substitute bacon if that’s a food you eat.
Hope this helps!
XO,
~Donya
I have heard of people using smoked turkey legs in pintos. I think you can buy them in meat department.
Dawn