- 1 lb dried pinto beans
- 1/4 cup lard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 white onion, halved
- water to cover the beans by 2 inches and more as needed
- 1 jalapeno, seeded optional
Wash your beans and put in a bowl or pan to soak overnight with a pinch of salt and the onion. If you are cooking on the stove top, add the lard and bring to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 2-3 hours until tender. Check for salt. If you are cooking in the Instant Pot, cover with water by 1 inch. Add the lard to your pot. Use the bean mode and set for 35-45 minutes. Since we are using these for refried beans, we want them to be pretty soft. When the beans are done, add a little oil to a skillet or a sturdy saucepan. Add the amount of beans you want to use, mashing with your bean masher, adding liquid as needed. Serve with your favorite Mexican food, Texmex dishes as a side dish or stuffed in a burrito with cheese. We like to add cheese to the top when we are using them as a side dish! Great for nachos too!