Get my newest recipe via email:

How to Cook Pinto Beans in a Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)

This post shows how to cook pinto beans in a pressure cooker. In 15 minutes, you can have rich, tender, creamy, ready-to-enjoy beans all soupy in a nutritious cooking broth. Pressure cookers reduce cooking time and fuel energy–for cooking beans, they’re awesome tools!

Perfectly cooked Pinto Beans in bowl with wooden spoon

Cooked from scratch, dried beans have unmatched flavor and texture–and cooking beans in the Instant Pot or stovetop pressure cooker happens fast!

There’s more than one way to go about pressure cooking beans from scratch, some faster than others. You can put the washed beans in the pot, cover with water and cook them like that, or you can soak the beans beforehand. Then, either way, after cooking, you can opt to turn off the heat and let the pressure come down naturally, or you can “quick-release” the pressure.

Click here to PIN How to Cook Pinto Beans in a Pressure Cooker!

JUMP DIRECTLY TO RECIPE

Whichever way you cook your beans, be sure to budget the time for the pressure to come up and begin the actual pressure cooking, 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your pressure cooker.

So, including the time it takes to come to pressure, you can have tender pinto beans in about 15 minutes. That’s with soaked beans and pressure naturally released. Unsoaked dried beans, the pressure quick-released, yield tender pinto beans in about 35 minutes.

The deep-down with pressure cooking beans is you save time and you get superior quality beans. Dried beans—keep them in your pantry. And give your pressure cooker a big hug!

 dried pinto beans in orange colander

About Pressure Cooking Pinto Beans:

  • When cooking dried beans do you salt before or after cooking? There’s plenty of discussion about that. I come from the salt-after-cooking school. Salt with good quality salt.
  • Looking for answers, author Michael Ruhlman found more than one food “expert” with differing thoughts about soaking and salting beans.
  • On his blog, Rancho Gordo’s Steve Sando has written more than once about soaking and when to salt. Shop for superior quality fresh dried beans on Rancho Gordo’s website.
  • It has been said that soaking dried beans before cooking makes them more digestible. Mexican cooks add epazote, a pungent green herb with “gas-relieving” properties, to their beans.
  • For the record, we do have an assortment of canned beans in our pantry, right next to the jars of dried beans. For sure canned beans in salty liquid are no match for freshly cooked beans and their resulting liquid, but sometimes you just want to open a can, ya know?
  • Since Robbie and I mostly use pinto beans in tacos and other Mexican foods, I season the dried beans with a mild dried chile, garlic cloves, and maybe some chopped onions.
  • There’s not much written about the beauty of pressure cooked beans. One thing’s for sure, pressure cookers reduce cooking time and fuel energy. For cooking beans, they’re awesome tools!

 cooked pinto beans in a pretty bowl with wooden spoon

Pressure Cooker Pinto Beans timing details:

When is a pressure cooker is up to pressure?

  • With the Instant Pot–make sure the vent is in the sealed position, use the Manual setting and set the cooking time. When time light comes on, it’s up to pressure.
  • With a stove-top pressure cooker–heat on high flame until the steamy jiggle noise begins in earnest, then turn the heat down just so it maintains pressure, then start your kitchen timer.

What are approximate cooking times?

  • Pinto beans, not soaked and pressure quick-released, take about 25 minutes to cook, after the cooker comes to pressure.
  • Soaked pinto beans, pressure released naturally, take about 5 minutes to cook. Plan on 10 minutes for the pressure cooker to release naturally.
  • Soaked pinto beans with the pressure “quick released” take 6 to 8 minutes to cook.
  • Without a pressure cooker it takes at least 2 ½ hours to cook pinto beans to tenderness.
  • Cooking times can vary a few minutes either way, depending on your pressure cooker, the size of the beans, and the age of the dried beans. Sometimes you have to bring the cooker back up to pressure for another minute or two. With the beans still very hot, it doesn’t take much time.
  • Add 20% more time if pressure cooking at altitudes more than 4000 feet above sea level.
  • My Swiss made Kuhn-Rikon stovetop pressure cooker comes to pressure and quick-releases pressure faster than my Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. I don’t change the cooking time.
  • Smaller dried beans like navy, cannellini, and black beans cook just a little faster.

colseup photo of cooked pinto beans ready to use

What can you do with your pressure cooked beans?

More ideas:

  • Mash your beans with sauteed aromatics and pot broth for refried beans, your way.
  • Use the bean cooking broth as an excellent soup base.
  • Toss pinto beans in your green leafy salads.
  • Make a wrap instead of a sandwich: Lightly mash the beans. Wrap in a flour tortilla with avocado, mixed baby greens, sliced pickles, whatever your sandwich heart desires. Robbie spreads a spoonful of cottage cheese and sprinkles his with hot sauce!

*** Here’s how to cook garbanzo beans in the pressure cooker.

*** You might also find this recipe for cooking black beans in the pressure cooker helpful.

Make it a fabulous week–get in the kitchen and play with your pressure cooker!


To get my latest recipe posts and exclusive monthly newsletters, subscribe here. (I hate Spam too and will never share your email with anyone.)

  • Follow me on Instagram! It’s my favorite!
  • Peruse my Pinterest boards for more vegetarian recipe ideas.
  • Find daily vegetarian and healthy living ideas on my Facebook page.

This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase products via my links, it doesn’t cost you anything and I earn a tiny commission, which helps me continue to provide free content here on Letty’s Kitchen. Thank you!!

If you like this recipe, I’d be grateful if you’d give a ✮✮✮✮✮ rating on the recipe card below.

Nutrition Facts
How to Cook Pinto Beans in a Pressure Cooker
Amount Per Serving
Calories 194 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Sodium 135mg6%
Potassium 721mg21%
Carbohydrates 32g11%
Fiber 8g33%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 15IU0%
Vitamin C 4.3mg5%
Calcium 60mg6%
Iron 2.6mg14%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

55 comments

  • John Davies

    Great simple me recipe. Just watched the documentary “Forks over Knives”; I’m going more plant based in my diet. Thanks for your help and creative ideas. Reply · 14 December, 2018

    • Thank you John! May you enjoy exploring new recipes! Reply · 14 December, 2018

  • Hank

    What is the serving size for the 32 grams of carbs. Nutritional labels without serving size are useless Reply · 19 February, 2019

    • Thank you Hank for alerting me to this. I edited the recipe to reflect the serving size of 1/2 cup. Reply · 19 February, 2019

      • April whittier

        Gonna make my boyfriend some soup beans. He grew up on them and loves them. I myself was raised on them and don’t like them lol. I only have dry spices. How much should be used? Reply · 6 September, 2019

        • April whittier

          Also I am gonna use 2 pounds of beans. They are soaking now. So are cooking times the same? Reply · 6 September, 2019

          • Cooking times are the same. Do not fill your pressure cooker more than half full! Depending on the volume of your pressure cooker, 2 pounds may be too much.
            Letty 6 September, 2019

        • Hi April,
          The spices are totally optional. (You mean onion, garlic and chile, right?) Letty you think they need more flavor when done, start seasoning with 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Add more of those to you or your boyfriend’s taste.
          Letty Reply · 6 September, 2019

  • Susie

    Great recipe and very informative. Thanks for including high altitude cooking. Reply · 21 February, 2019

  • Shannon

    Susie – I’m cooking for only two of us. If I halve this recipe are cook times the same? Reply · 22 March, 2019

    • Hi Shannon,
      Yes you can cut the recipe in half. Cooking times will be the same. I cook for two as well. I freeze what I don’t use right away in 2 cup containers. When I want to make something with pinto beans–tacos, risotto, soup, refried beans–I just thaw from the freezer. The cooking broth is so delicious a followup recipe is often soup. Reply · 22 March, 2019

  • Maria

    I just got the insignia 6 qt pressure cooker. I have 2lbs of soaked beans I want to cook. With the two lbs of beans withe sausage and ham how many cups of water is needed and is it safe to cook 2lbs of red beans in the pressure cooker at one time. I need help. I read the booklet and it’s overwhelming. I am confused. Thank you. Reply · 13 July, 2019

    • Hi Maria,
      For a 6-quart pressure cooker I would cook no more than 1 pound of beans at a time. If the beans have been soaked, I would put water in the cooker 2 inches above the ingredients.
      Have fun! Reply · 14 July, 2019

  • I don’t even know how I ended up right here, but I thought this post was once good.
    I do not realize who you’re however certainly you’re going to a famous blogger in the event you aren’t already.
    Cheers! Reply · 23 July, 2019

  • Mini

    I like my pinto beans to come out with a thick soup. Is this possible in the Instant Pot? Also, I have always seasoned my beans with salt pork or ham. Are there are alternatives to these that make the beans just as tasty? Or is there a brand of salt pork or ham without the nitrates & nitrites? Reply · 16 September, 2019

    • Hi Mini, Thanks for writing. If your beans have been soaked, you can add water to the pot so it is only 1 inch above the beans instead of 3 inches. That will give you less broth. *** Don’t do this if your beans have not been soaked–they need the water in order to cook to a nice soft bean. You can season your beans as you wish with salt pork or ham, no problem. I follow a meatless diet (and my blog is vegetarian recipes) so I’m not familiar with salt pork or ham without the nitrates. (I just Googled ham without nitrates and nitrites and yes there is. They mention brands.)
      Thanks again. Let me know how it goes. Reply · 17 September, 2019

    • Hey!
      I’ve visited you for the very first time. Your post is super helpful and informative. It will help me to cook and tendering the pinto beans. I’m bookmarking your lovely post. Thanks for sharing and keep on sharing. Reply · 29 July, 2020

      • Thank you! I’m delighted you found the post helpful! Reply · 30 July, 2020

  • Nora ISAACSgoogle

    Hi I just found your site, LOVE it!
    how ever IF you LIVE at HIGH ALTITUDE as I do, 5800 FT 1 # pinto beans unsoaked cooked in 6 qrt. stove top pressure cooker takes me 45- 50 minutes . Thought you might like to know ! GREAT SITE! < Nora Reply · 7 October, 2019

    • Thank you Nora. I live at 6800 feet above sea level. Yes beans take longer to cook at higher altitudes. I just added a note to the cooking times to reflect that–15% more time. Thanks for your input. I appreciate it! Reply · 7 October, 2019

  • Betty

    Thanks for all the info. I’m trying to cook pinto beans for the first time in my pressure cooker. They are my husbands favorite food. Hope I don’t mess up. Let you know later. Reply · 17 October, 2019

    • Betty, I hope your beans turn out perfectly. They should. Enjoy your pressure cooker! Reply · 18 October, 2019

    • Ken Easterling

      Betty, it’s really hard to screw up beans. I grew up in Texas and at an early age started cooking supper for our family. I think it was 5th grade. My father loved pinto beans and cornbread. My Mom had one of the old pressure cookers and I learned to cook pinto beans in the pressure cooker ‘the old fashioned way’. Ha. The Instant Pot is so much easier! I use the soak function because that is how I learned to cook them. I think they are better soaked. One thing I want to add here is that my GrMom and Mom both taught me to wash the beans after draining the soaking water. Then add fresh water to cover by about 2 inches. They taught me to do that so that the gas would go away. I don’t know if that works but my wife swears by it and she is from Vermont. Reply · 21 January, 2021

      • Ken,
        Thank you for writing. I love hearing stories from pressure cooker fans. I agree, never mind what they say, soaked is better. I rinse too, not sure if it the gas elimation is true, but it’s an ingrained habit for me too. Pressure cooked beans for the win! Reply · 22 January, 2021

  • myusrn

    Would you consider this instapot look alike device by hamilton beach a pressure cooker given their is not pressure release valve that you operate, i’m guessing it manages pressure release as needed? Would one follow your natural pressure release instructions if using this device to cook beans? Could one cook beans and brown rice at the same time in one of these steam [ pressure ] cookers? Reply · 24 October, 2019

    • myusrn

      . . . forgot to include link to instapot look alike device by hamilton beach that i was referring to https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0752VWV65/ Reply · 24 October, 2019

      • Thank you for the link. No that is not a pressure cooker. It’s definitely just a rice cooker.
        Letty Reply · 25 October, 2019

    • You are right in thinking that Instant Pot look-alike might not be a pressure cooker. I am guessing it won’t cook beans very well because it is really meant to be a steamer. Do you already own the rice cooker?
      Letty Reply · 25 October, 2019

  • This recipe is a great source for me to get easy and yummy plant based protein.

    Thanks Letty Reply · 19 December, 2019

    • Thank you Jay. I’m glad to know my recipes are a source of inspiration for you! Reply · 19 December, 2019

  • karen

    My 23 quart pressure cooker says to not cook beans because they foam and could plug the steam vent. I imagine you’ve never had this problem? I am cooking 3 cups dried beans in 8 cups water. What is the largest quantity of beans you have cooked in your pressure cooker? Reply · 22 May, 2020

    • Hi Karen, 3 cups of beans is about 1 1/2 pounds. The most I cook in a pressure cooker is about 1 #, but I have an 8 qt. It sounds like you have a very large pressure cooker–I’m thinking 23 quarts is a pressure canner. If your presssure cooker is that large, you can likely cook 1 1/2 pounds at a time. The warning about not cooking beans in a pressure cooker is very valid for a jiggle top cooker. With the newer generation cookers, including the electric Instant Pots, with 3 or 4 safety mechanisms, there’s less risk of plugging the vent. To be safe, add a tablespoon of oil to the beans and water–that helps prevent foaming. If your beans have been soaked, cover them by 1 inch of water. If they have not been pre-soaked cover the beans with 2 to 3 inches of water. Reply · 24 May, 2020

  • the pinto beans are highly protein containing meals so i was looking any quick way to cook it and finally i found your blog. thanks for sharing your lovely post. Reply · 11 November, 2020

    • Thank you Amare. I’m a huge fan of cooking beans in pressure cookers, in fact I don’t think I’ve ever cooked beans without one. Even my mother used a pressure cooker! Reply · 12 November, 2020

  • Alan W. Irwin

    I really like your enthusiasm and your site, but I am finding your pressure cooking time needs to be sharply increased
    (for 12-hour soak and quick release) to 20 minutes or so for pinto beans and definitely
    not 5-6 minutes as you suggest). I live at sea level so altitude is not the issue. Perhaps my old-fashioned pressure cooker is the issue? It is a jiggle top, and it appears to be working well, but I suspect that brand just doesn’t reach the pressure your pressure cooker gets to. Reply · 16 December, 2020

    • Hi Alan. Thanks for the note. Yes, it sounds like you’re not getting full 15# pressure. Even with an Instapot that’s only 11# pressure soaked pintos cook fast. I think you can have the pressure checked at a county extension service, like at an Ag school. Reply · 24 December, 2020

  • Wow this is very tasty recipe I love it infect my family also love this recipe.. This recipe is looking delicious recipe..
    Thanks for sharing this recipe to us.. Reply · 8 February, 2021

  • Theresa

    I have a question. I soaked my pinto beans for 2 days, then I tried to cook them in my on the stove pressure cooker. My book says they take 10 minutes. I have cooked, released pressure, added water and cooked more several times- like three hours and they are still very chewy. This is not the first time I’ve had this problem with Pinto beans. Can you tell me what the problem is? Reply · 3 August, 2021

    • Theresa, Thank you for writing. That is definitely unusual for pinto beans to cook that long. A question: do you live in an area where the water is very hard? Minerals calcium and magnesium in your water can prevent the water from getting into the bean and keep them hard no matter how long you cook them. Try cooking and soaking your beans in distilled water. Also, many cities have chlorinated water which can affect the softening. Again, use filtered or distilled water. You might also try adding just a bit of baking soda, like 1/4 teaspoon to the cooking water. Not too much though–it can make the beans mushy. (Although at this point you’d probably love to end up with mushy beans!)
      The other culprit could be the age of the beans. Make sure to buy them from a store with high turnover. Do you know if your beans are less than a year old?
      If you live at altitude like I do, you’ll need to increase your cooking time, though it doesn’t sound like that is your bean cooking problem. Let me know how these solutions work for you. Best, Letty Reply · 3 August, 2021

  • wow this really to good idea about the cook pinto beans pressure cooker thanks sharing this article Reply · 11 August, 2021

  • Nancy

    Very tasty 😋 Reply · 23 August, 2021

  • Thanks sharing this article cook pinto beans pressure cooker Reply · 9 November, 2021

  • Thanks sharing this article Reply · 9 November, 2021

  • Lee

    A bit of a late-comer. I grew up with pressure cooker via my grandmother in deep southern New Mexico. The pressure cooker was something I took for granted. Bought one a few years ago and never got around to it. I realized I never asked my grandmother how she cooked it. So this guidance helps and it returns my childhood pleasure with a simple pinto bean, pressure cooked, with a can of green chilis. Thank you! Oh, as for soaking, is it ok to soak the beans in the pressure cooker so that way I wouldn’t have to dispose the water? It’s my understanding the water of soaked beans can cause gastronomical issue? Reply · 14 November, 2021

    • Thank you Lee. Wonderful question. To keep the soaking water or rinse the soaked beans and start from scratch? I have done both. My usual habit has been to change the water, but lately I’ve been keeping the soaking water, adding enough more to cover the beans by an inch or so. I’ve not felt a difference in my body. Besides saving water, another reason to cook the beans in the soaking water is to preserve the rich color, particularly with black beans. Either way, be sure to rinse your beans well to get rid of any dirt or random little rocks that look just like beans! Reply · 21 November, 2021

  • I am reading this lovely blog and helping abou the cook pinto beans pressure cooker thanks sharing this article Reply · 27 November, 2021

  • Julia Mitchell

    Thanks..I found out for sure how to stove top cook pinto beans.. Reply · 15 October, 2022

  • Great simple recipe. Just watched the documentary “Forks over Knives”; I’m going more plant-based in my diet. Thanks for your help and creative ideas. Reply · 19 February, 2023

    • Thank you for your comment. Here on the blog you’ll find lots of recipe ideas for what to make with your black beans! Reply · 20 February, 2023

  • Hello I cooked Pinto Beans the way you told. They turned out really delicious. It was like a burst of flavour. Highly recommend everyone to use this recipe. Reply · 13 May, 2023

    • Thank you Jennifer. I’m delighted you cooked your beans following my tips! Reply · 14 May, 2023

Leave a Reply

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.