This recipe for Instant Pot charro refried beans combines the rich flavors of traditional charro beans with the creamy texture of refried beans. With the convenience of the Instant Pot, you can have this delicious side dish on the table in no time.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pinto beans
- 6 cups water
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno, diced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Directions
- Rinse the pinto beans and add them to the Instant Pot along with water, onion, garlic, jalapeno, diced tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot, set the valve to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
- Use an immersion blender to partially blend the beans, leaving some whole for texture.
- Stir in the cilantro, queso fresco, and green onions before serving.
Interesting Facts
Charro beans get their name from the traditional Mexican cowboy (charro) who would cook them over an open fire while out on the range.
Refried beans are not actually fried twice, as the name suggests. They are cooked once and then mashed or pureed.
Using an Instant Pot for this recipe cuts down on the cooking time significantly compared to traditional stovetop methods.