Rinse dry pinto beans. Add the pound of beans to a 6-8 quart instant pot.
Pour in water to cover the beans by 1-2 inches (approximately 7-8 cups). Add bay leaves if using.
Cook on HIGH pressure for 30-35 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally. If the beans aren't done to you liking, just reseal the pot and cook for another 5-10 minutes. (The hot pan should come to pressure quickly.)
Salt cooked beans to taste. Remove bay leaves if used, before serving.
Notes
Serving size: 1/2 cupWW Points: 0Check the WW Points for this recipe and track it in the WW app. (Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)3SmartPoints (Green plan)0SmartPoints (Blue plan)0SmartPoints (Purple plan)3PointsPlus (Old plan)I do all types of beans the same way. Here are some cook time guidelines for a few of my favorites:
Black Beans: 25-30 minutes (high pressure)
Great Northern: 30-35 minutes (high pressure)
Pinto Beans: 30-35 minutes (high pressure)
Garbanzo Beans: 40-45 minutes (high pressure)
Cannellini Beans: 40-45 minutes (high pressure)
Remember cook times are just a guideline. Not only does your personal preference and use come into play, but there are also lots of variables in the beans themselves—like how long they have sat on a shelf that can increase cooking time.It's easy to check them and continue cooking if they aren't done enough.Remember it will initially take 10-15 minutes for the instant pot to come to full pressure and another 10-15 minutes to naturally release.