Instant Pot Pinto Beans

My grandfather used to make bean-hole beans by burying a pot in the ground to slow cook all day for a classic New England Saturday supper. Today, the Instant Pot makes it possible to get the same comfort food flavors without waiting hours.

With dried pinto beans, smoky bacon, BBQ sauce, and a touch of molasses, these beans come together in less than 2 hours from start to finish. No soaking is required, and the results are tender, saucy beans with a rich barbecue-style flavor—perfect alongside classic cornbread or biscuits.

What You’ll Like About This Recipe

• No soak needed. Pinto beans cook to tender perfection in the Instant Pot without any pre-soaking. This saves hours of prep time and makes it easy to get a deeply flavorful pot of beans on the table quickly.
• Bold, barbecue-inspired flavor. Molasses, brown sugar, mustard, and barbecue sauce work together to create a tangy-sweet sauce that clings to the beans, with bacon providing the perfect smoky backbone.
• Hands-off cooking. Once the beans are in the Instant Pot, most of the work is completely automated. You only sauté aromatics at the halfway point, making this an easy recipe for busy days.
• Customizable texture. Reserving some of the cooking liquid allows you to choose how saucy you want the beans. Thicker, spoonable beans or a looser, more stew-like consistency are both easy to achieve.
• Versatile serving options. These beans can be a hearty side, a standalone entrée, or a potluck-friendly dish. They pair beautifully with cornbread, ribs, brisket, pulled pork, grilled vegetables, and even rice.

Ingredient Notes

• Pinto beans – Dry beans offer the best texture and flavor. Rinsing and sorting ensures any debris is removed. Cooking liquid may vary in saltiness, so taste as you go.
• Bacon – Thick-cut bacon adds smoky richness and renders enough fat to sauté the vegetables. Turkey bacon can be used, but you’ll need oil for sautéing.
• Bell peppers and onions – These aromatics soften into the sauce, adding sweetness and depth. Red and green peppers each contribute different flavor notes.
• Molasses and brown sugar – Molasses gives the beans their signature baked-bean richness, while brown sugar adds a caramel sweetness that balances the acidity of the barbecue sauce.
• Barbecue sauce – A tangy, smoky sauce works best. Use your favorite brand; thicker sauces create a heartier, more intense coating.

How to Make Instant Pot Pinto Beans

1. Rinse and sort the beans to remove any debris. This step ensures even cooking and prevents unpleasant surprises often found in bags of dry beans.
2. Pressure cook the beans in water with salt. The salt helps season the beans from within while they absorb liquid, producing a more flavorful base.
3. Drain the beans and reserve some of the liquid. This gives you flexibility later when adjusting the consistency of the final dish.
4. Sauté the bacon in the Instant Pot until browned. The rendered fat provides a rich, smoky flavor that becomes the foundation of the sauce.
5. Add the onions, red and green peppers, and garlic to the bacon fat. Sautéing softens the vegetables and builds aromatic depth.
6. Stir in the brown sugar, molasses, mustard powder, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Adding the reserved cooking liquid loosens the mixture and helps dissolve the seasonings.
7. Return the cooked beans to the pot and pour the barbecue sauce over top. Avoid stirring at this stage to prevent the Instant Pot from developing a burn warning.
8. Pressure cook briefly to marry all the flavors. A short natural release keeps the beans intact and the sauce glossy.
9. Stir in tomato paste to thicken and brighten the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.

Pro Tips

• Salt early – Adding salt to the cooking water enhances the beans’ flavor and reduces the need for heavy seasoning later.
• Watch the sauté step – Bacon browns quickly in the Instant Pot. Stir often to keep it crisp but not burnt.
• Avoid the burn warning – Pour barbecue sauce on top of the beans without stirring. Thick sauces can stick to the bottom if mixed in too early.
• Adjust thickness – Use additional reserved cooking liquid if the beans seem too thick, or simmer briefly on sauté to reduce a thin sauce.
• Taste before serving – Every barbecue sauce is different. Adjust sweetness, heat, or acidity to suit your preferences.

Recipe Variations

• Smoky chipotle version. Add chopped chipotle peppers in adobo or chipotle powder for a bold, smoky heat. This variation pairs exceptionally well with grilled meats.
• Vegetarian pinto beans. Omit the bacon and use smoked paprika to mimic the smoky flavor. Vegetable broth can replace water for deeper taste.
• Sweet-and-spicy beans. Increase the brown sugar slightly and add extra crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne for a more dynamic flavor profile.
• Maple-molasses beans. Replace part of the brown sugar with pure maple syrup for a slightly lighter sweetness and a classic New England–style flavor.
• Beer-infused beans. Substitute part of the reserved cooking liquid with a mild beer for added depth and complexity.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve alongside ribs, pulled pork, brisket, or chicken at your next barbecue or cookout.
• Add a scoop of beans to baked potatoes or sweet potatoes for a hearty, comforting meal.
• Pair with cornbread, biscuits, or homemade rolls to soak up the flavorful sauce.
• Choose rice or quinoa for a simple, filling way to enjoy the beans as a main course.

How to Store

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors intensify over time, making the beans even better the next day.
• Freeze in meal-size portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or reserved liquid to loosen the sauce and restore the beans’ texture.