Rinse beans and soak them in fresh water overnight or at least for 8 hours. Drain and rinse them again before using.
Add beans in the Instant Pot along with broth (or water), oil, minced garlic, chopped onion and all spices. Give it a stir.
Close the lid and pressure cook at Bean/Chili or Pressure Cook for 30 minutes, on sealing mode. After that time, wait for 10 minutes of natural pressure release, followed by a manual release of pressure. Open the lid after the pin drops.
Using a potato masher, mash the beans until you reach the desired consistency. Alternatively, you can use a hand blender and blend a couple of times for 2-3 seconds each time. Turn on Saute and simmer the beans for a few minutes until they reach the desired thickness.
Garnish them with chopped cilantro, cheese and enjoy with a side of tortillas, tostadas or as a dip for chips.
Notes
Beans: In this recipe, I use Pinto beans, which are the traditional choice for refried beans. But you can use the same process for black beans or other beans of choice.
Soak or Unsoaked Beans: I prefer to soak beans overnight, then pressure cook them for 30 minutes. If using unsoaked beans, rinse them and adjust the pressure cooking time to 45 minutes.
Beans to Liquid Ratio: I use a 1:2 ratio when cooking refried beans. This means, for 1 cup of dried beans, I add 2 cups of broth or water. The important thing to remember is that the beans should be fully submerged in liquid in order to cook fully and evenly.
Water or broth: Add vegetable or chicken broth for more flavorful beans. However, you can use water instead and add another ½ teaspoon of chili powder. Adjust salt to taste as well.
Simmer to thicken: After pressure cooking, mash and simmer the beans to your desired level of thickness. Depending on whether I'm using them for tostadas, tacos, or as a dip, this time can vary between 5- 7 minutes.
Note: The nutrition facts below are my estimates and do not include any toppings or accompaniments. If you follow any diet plan, I recommend cross-checking with your preferred nutrition calculator.