Instant Pot Pinto Beans
Please note that this post contains Amazon affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase the products after clicking on the links.
February is American Heart Month. One heart-healthy food that is often overlooked is pinto beans. Pinto beans are a nutrition powerhouse and an easy addition to any diet. In today’s post, I’ll discuss the health benefits of pinto beans, the pros and cons of canned vs dried pinto beans, and share an easy Instant Pot recipe for cooking dry beans.
Nutrition
According to the USDA, 1 cup of cooked pinto beans contains:
245 calories
1 gram of fat
49 grams of carbohydrate
15 grams of fiber
15 grams of protein
Health benefits
Like other varieties of beans, pinto beans are an excellent source of fiber and plant-based protein, while also being low in fat. Fiber helps to improve cholesterol levels and has been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. Some studies also show that plant-based diets lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Though high in carbohydrates, pinto beans can still be a healthy carbohydrate choice for people with prediabetes and diabetes when consumed in moderation. Because of their high fiber content, blood sugar levels don’t tend to spike as high as they may with other starchy foods like bread or rice.
Pinto beans also contain several important minerals such as thiamine, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Potassium is particularly important for heart health as it helps to regulate blood pressure and helps the heart muscle work as it should. All beans are one of the best plant sources of iron, which helps carry oxygen around the body.
Canned vs dried beans
Dried beans cooked without salt have no added sodium, but you’ll have to check the label if you are using canned pinto beans as these can contain quite a bit of salt. If you use canned beans, just be sure to rinse them well with water first, as this will get rid of some of the sodium.
Canned beans are easy to keep on hand, but if you have a little extra time, dried beans are easy as well and often cheaper! Dried beans can be cooked on the stove but are much quicker when cooked in an Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Pinto Beans
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried pinto beans
- 2 cups water or broth
Instructions
- First, soak your pinto beans. Place the pinto beans in a bowl and cover them completely with water. Leave them on the counter for 6-8 hours or overnight.
- Once you've soaked the pinto beans, drain and rinse them.
- Place the pinto beans in the Instant Pot and cover with 2 cups of water or broth. Add salt or any seasonings that you'd like at this point and stir to combine.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn to "sealing".
- Cook on "manual" mode for 15 minutes.
- Once finished cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes, then turn the valve to release the remainder of the pressure.
- Serve right away or store in the fridge or freezer.
Serving pinto beans
Pinto beans can be used in many different ways. They can be eaten on their own or added to your favorite dish. Some of my favorite ways to eat pinto beans include:
Or, add them to any burrito, taco, taco salad, or burrito bowl!
Pinto beans are a great heart-healthy choice because they are high in fiber and a plant-based protein source. Cooking them in the Instant Pot is an easy way to use more dried beans which are lower in salt and often cheaper. What are your favorite ways to eat pinto beans?
