Crock Pot Pinto Beans are a delicious and nutritious dish made by slow-cooking dried pinto beans in a Crock Pot or slow cooker. Pinto beans are a type of bean commonly used in various cuisines, especially in Mexican and Southwestern dishes.
To make Crock Pot Pinto Beans, you typically start with dried pinto beans that have been rinsed and checked for any debris. These beans are then combined with water and seasonings like salt, pepper, and optional spices. The slow cooker is set to a low temperature, and the beans are left to simmer and cook slowly for several hours. This slow-cooking process allows the beans to become tender and absorb all the delicious flavors from the seasonings.
Crock Pot Pinto Beans can be served as a side dish, in burritos, tacos, or as a base for various bean-based recipes. They are not only tasty but also packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making them a healthy addition to your meals. Plus, cooking them in a Crock Pot is incredibly convenient because it requires minimal effort and yields fantastic results.
Table of Contents
Ingredients:
Here are all the ingredients used in this Crock Pot Pinto Beans:
- Dried Pinto Beans (1 lb bag): These are dried beans that come in a bag. They are small and brownish with speckles. Before using, you should rinse them under water to clean them. Also, check them carefully to make sure there are no small rocks or pieces that shouldn’t be there.
- Water (7 ½ cups): You’ll need water, which is just plain liquid, for cooking the beans. It helps to make the beans soft and tasty.
- Salt (2 teaspoons):Salt is a white powder that adds flavor to the beans. It’s like magic – it makes them taste really good.
- Fresh Ground Black Pepper (¼ teaspoon): This is a tiny amount of a powdery spice that makes the beans a bit peppery. It’s like a little kick of flavor.
- Crushed Red Pepper (1 teaspoon, optional): If you like a little spicy heat in your food, you can add this. It’s like a secret ingredient that makes the beans a bit spicy. But remember, it’s optional, so you can leave it out if you don’t want spicy beans.
Steps for Making Crock Pot Pinto Beans:
Here are the steps for Making Crock Pot Pinto Beans:
Rinse and Inspect the Beans:
- To begin, dry pinto beans must be rinsed in cold water.
- Do your best to inspect the beans carefully as you do so, and remove any small rocks or pieces of broken glass. We’re going to make sure only good beans come out of our dishes.
Place Beans in the Crock Pot:
- Transfer the clean and inspected pinto beans into your Crock Pot or slow cooker. This is where the magic happens.
Add the Water:
- In the Crockpot add seven 12 cups of water.
- During the cooking process, water turns its magic on beans that are softened and hydrated.
Season with Salt and Pepper:
- Sprinkle in 2 teaspoons of salt. Adding a delicious savory taste to the beans is this salt.
- Add ¼ teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper. That’s going to bring a little excitement into the dish.
- Add 1 teaspoon of red pepper powder if you’re looking for a little heat. Those who like a bit of spiciness in beans use it as an optional ingredient.
Gently Mix the Ingredients:
- Give everything a gentle stir inside the Crock Pot.
- This stirring ensures that the salt, pepper, and optional crushed red pepper are evenly distributed among the beans. It’s like making sure each bean gets its fair share of flavor.
Cover and Set to Cook:
- Place the lid securely on your Crock Pot. It’s like tucking the beans in for a cozy nap.
- Set your Crock Pot to cook on the low heat setting. This gentle cooking method lets the beans slowly absorb all the delicious flavors.
Let Them Simmer:
- Allow the beans to simmer in the Crock Pot for approximately 6 to 8 hours.
- During this time, they will absorb the seasonings and water, becoming tender and bursting with flavor. It’s like they’re taking a long, soothing bath in flavor.
Taste and Adjust if Necessary:
- Once the beans have finished cooking, give them a taste.
- If you feel they need more flavor, you can add a bit more salt or crushed red pepper to your liking. It’s like adding the final touch of seasoning to make them perfect.
These detailed steps ensure that your Crock Pot Pinto Beans turn out flavorful and delicious, ready to enjoy as a nutritious and comforting meal.
Serving and Storage:
You can enjoy these Crock Pot Pinto Beans on their own as a meal or as a side dish. They go wonderfully with rice or even in a burrito!
In the refrigerator, store all your leftovers in an airtight container. To ensure they are moist and soft, you can warm them up in the microwave or stovetop with a splash of water.
More Mouthwatering Recipes:
- 3 Ingredient Crock Pot Pork Chops
- Buffalo Chicken Nachos – Easy Recipe
- Easy Chicken Stew Instant Pot | Quick Recipe
Why You Should Eat Pinto Beans:
Pinto beans are not only tasty but also super healthy! They’re packed with protein and fiber, which are great for growing kids. Plus, they’re low in fat and full of vitamins and minerals that keep you strong.
Why You’ll Love Crock Pot Pinto Beans:
These beans are a breeze to make, and they turn out so flavorful and tender. They’re the perfect comfort food for any time of the year.
Equipment:
You can purchase the equipment from Amazon I highly suggest it because I use them.
Variations and Substitutions:
- You can add diced tomatoes, onions, and garlic for extra flavor.
- Try different spices like cumin, paprika, or oregano to change up the taste.
- If you like it even spicier, add some chopped jalapeños.
- Enjoy your homemade Crock Pot Pinto Beans! They’re not only delicious but also good for you.
Do beans have to be soaked before cooking in a crock pot?
No, beans don’t have to be soaked before cooking in a crock pot, but soaking can help reduce the cooking time.
Is it safe to cook pinto beans in a slow cooker?
Yes, it’s safe to cook pinto beans in a slow cooker. Slow cooking at a low and steady temperature ensures thorough cooking.
Will dried beans soften in a crock pot?
Yes, dried beans will soften in a crock pot when cooked for a sufficient amount of time. Slow cooking allows them to absorb liquid and become tender.
Is it better to cook beans fast or slow?
Slow cooking is often preferred for beans because it allows for even cooking and better absorption of flavors.
Do pinto beans cook faster than kidney beans?
Pinto beans generally cook faster than kidney beans because they are smaller and have thinner skin.
Do pinto beans get bigger when cooked?
Yes, pinto beans expand and get larger when cooked as they absorb water and become tender.
Crock Pot Pinto Beans
Equipment
- Crock Pot or Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 Ib Pinto beans Dried, Rinsed and checked for any small stones or broken pieces
- 7½ cup Water
- 2 tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Fresh ground black pepper
- 1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper (optional, for a bit of heat)
Instructions
- First, make sure to rinse your pinto beans under cold water. Check through them carefully to remove any small stones or broken beans.
- Place the clean beans into your Crock Pot or slow cooker.
- Add the water to the Crock Pot.
- Sprinkle in the salt, fresh ground black pepper, and the optional crushed red pepper if you like a little spiciness.
- To make sure the seasoning mix is balanced, give each of them a little stir.
- Put a lid on the Crockpot and set it to cook at low temperature.
- Let the beans cook for about 6 to 8 hours. They'll become tender and flavorful as they simmer in the slow cooker.
- When they're done, give them a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you like them a bit saltier or spicier, add a touch more salt or crushed red pepper.
Notes
Variations and Substitutions:
- You can add diced tomatoes, onions, and garlic for extra flavor.
- Try different spices like cumin, paprika, or oregano to change up the taste.
- If you like it even spicier, add some chopped jalapeños.
