Instant Pot Refried Beans

We love fresh, homemade refried beans but it used to be a full day ordeal. After getting our Instant Pot a couple years ago, we started trying various bean recipes. We are really pleased with the flavor and texture of this version and it's now our go-to recipe. Using the Instant Pot, we can whip them up anytime since they only take about 90 minutes start-to-finish. These beans are delicious as a side, in nachos, tacos or burritos. Photo from The Spruce Eats - a favorite recipe blog and inspiration behind the recipe.

3 cups dried pinto beans

10 cups water
6 slices bacon (Applegate Farms No-Sugar Sunday Bacon is our favorite)
1 cup onion (chopped)
3 cloves garlic (minced)

1 Tablespoon chile powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon kosher sea salt (plus more later to taste)

Rinse beans, check for pebbles and set aside.

Turn Instant Pot to saute mode and add bacon. Cook until done to your liking and set aside. Bacon can be used for something else - like BLTs or in another soup.

In the bacon grease, add diced onion and cook until translucent. Add garlic, chile powder, cumin, oregano and salt and saute until fragrant but don't let the garlic burn. 

Turn off saute mode and add beans with 10 cups of water. Secure cover and use manual mode high pressure for 45 minutes. 

Once done, let steam naturally vent for 20 minutes. Meanwhile set a large colander over a heat safe bowl. 

Once done steaming, strain beans through colander and reserve liquid. Add beans back to pot and puree using an immersion blender. Use reserved liquid as needed for desired consistency. Taste and add more salt as needed.