No Soak Instant Pot Pinto Beans

YaYa’s No Soak Instant Pot Pinto Beans

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These No Soak Instant Pot Pinto Beans are rich, flavorful, and ready in about an hour thanks to the magic of pressure cooking. Seasoned with bacon, onions, and spices, they make the perfect Southern-style side or main dish. No soaking needed; just rinse, cook, and enjoy tender beans every time!

Meal Type: Dinner, Side Dish, Vegetarian

Cuisine: American, Southern

Keyword: pinto beans, instant pot beans, no soak beans, southern pinto beans, easy bean recipe, pressure cooker beans

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings: 6 Servings

Calories 215

Ingredients

• 2 strips uncooked bacon chopped
• 1 lb pinto beans rinsed and picked
• 1 small onion diced
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1½ cups water
• 1¼ tsp garlic powder
• 1¼ tsp kosher sea salt
• 1 tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

• Set Instant Pot to SAUTE mode.
• Add bacon and cook 3 minutes.
• Add onion and cook 2 minutes.
• Pour in chicken broth and water.
• Stir in garlic powder, salt, chili powder, cumin, paprika, black pepper, cayenne, and pinto beans.
• Lock lid and set Instant Pot to MANUAL mode, high pressure, for 45 minutes.
• Let pressure release naturally (about 15–20 minutes).
• Open lid, stir well, and serve hot.

Yaya’s Tips for Success

Cooking pinto beans in the Instant Pot without soaking is a time-saver, but the key is balancing flavor and texture. Browning the bacon first builds a rich base, while the combination of spices infuses the beans with a savory depth. Using low-sodium broth keeps the salt level in check so you can adjust to taste at the end.

• Rinse and pick through beans to remove debris before cooking.
• Chop bacon into small pieces so it crisps quickly.
• For creamier beans, mash a few against the side of the pot after cooking.
• If you want a thicker broth, remove the lid and simmer on SAUTE for a few minutes after pressure release.

Yaya’s Customization Ideas

You can easily tailor this recipe to match your meal plans.

• For a smoky twist, try adding a little smoked paprika or chipotle powder.
• For a vegetarian version, skip the bacon and substitute vegetable broth.
• If you’re serving it as a main dish, stir in diced tomatoes or chopped cooked ham for extra heartiness

These beans pair beautifully with my Southern Cornbread recipe or alongside Collard Greens for a true Carolina-style plate.

Yaya’s Original Recipe Card