Crock Pot Pinto Beans

Slow Cooker Pinto Beans Recipe is easy to prepare, taste amazing and the perfect meal to prepare anytime of the year. It is a simple comfort food recipe that is made with easy ingredients.

The pinto beans cook easily in the slow cooker to get tender and flavorful for an easy weeknight meal. You can also learn how to make black beans or How to Cook Dry Beans in a Crock Pot for an easy side.

What are Pinto Beans?

Pinto Beans is a common bean that is used in chili or mashed and made into refried beans. These beans can be purchased dried or purchased cooked in a can.

Pinto beans can be cooked in a slow cooker or on the stove top.

Ingredients

• Dry Pinto Beans – For best results, make sure beans are fresh and have not expired
• Yellow Onion – Dice onion into bite size pieces. We have even used dried minced onions
• Salt – You can use kosher salt or regular salt
• Minced Garlic – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
• Ground Cumin – If you are out, see Best Substitute for Cumin
• Low Sodium Chicken Broth – See Chicken broth substitutes if you are out

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

How to Cook Pinto Beans in the Crock Pot

• Step 1 – Rinse and drain the dry beans in a colander and remove any damaged beans or any debris from the package.  Then put the beans in a 6 quart crock pot. 
• Step 2 – Add the remaining ingredients to the crock pot and cover with liquid.  Stir to combine all the ingredients. 

• Step 3 – Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the beans are tender and soft texture. Each slow cooker runs differently so adjust the cook time based on your slow cooker. 
• Step 4 – Remove the bay leaves from the crock pot. 
• Step 5 – Serve warm with your favorite toppings and enjoy.

How Long to Cook Pinto Beans in a Crock Pot

We recommend cooking the best crock pot pinto beans on low for about 8-10 hours. Cooking time will vary based on your crock pot. It really does take that long to cook the beans tender.

How to Season Pinto Beans

The great thing about pinto beans is the seasoning changed to what you have on hand. We used simple seasoning such as garlic, cumin and oregano.

• Sauted Jalapeno and Chopped Onions – For added flavor to the pinto beans, try sautéing jalapeno and onions before adding them to the slow cooker. You can even add in celery and green bell peppers for added flavor.
• Southwest Spices – Mix in seasoning such as cayenne pepper, cumin, and chili powder. This seasoning mixture bring so much flavor to the beans.
• Extra Seasoning- You can easily just season the pinto beans with salt and pepper. You can also add cloves of garlic, paprika, garlic powder, or onion powder.
• Leftover Ham or Bacon – pieces of leftover ham or chopped up bacon are great to cook with the pinto beans.
• Ham Hock – If we make a ham, we like to freeze the ham hock (or ham bone) to cook with slow cooker pinto beans. It adds so much flavor to the pinto beans.

How to Store Leftover Pinto Beans

Refrigerate the leftover beans in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Store in individual containers in the refrigerator for an easy lunch the next day. Reheat in the microwave in 30 seconds intervals to heated thoroughly.

How to Freeze Pinto Beans

Freezing pinto beans is easy to do. This is great way to prep your pinto beans to mash and make refried beans.

• Cool Completely – After cooking the pinto beans, allow them to cool completely before storing.
• Place in Container – Separate the pinto beans in a freezer safe container or a zip lock bag. I like to store in small portions so that I can use as a side dish.
• Remove Air – If you storing in a zip lock bag, make sure to squeeze any air out before storing in the freezer.
• Freeze – If pinto are stored properly they will last up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge then reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Pinto Beans

Slow Cooker Pinto Beans can easily be served as a main dish or as a side to your favorite Mexican recipes.

• Pan Fried Potatoes – There is just something about crispy fried potatoes that brings me back to my childhood. This is the perfect side to pinto beans.
• Over Nachos – Make a plate of nachos and spoon pinto beans over the top.
• Make Burrito or Tacos – Make your favorite taco meat and mix some cook pinto beans.
• Mix in Rice – Make a delicious budget friendly meal and mix beans and rice together.
• Chili – Make your favorite chili recipe and add pinto beans in the mix.
• Bake Potato – We like to make bake potatoes and spoon some pinto beans over the time. Filling and healthy meal idea.
• Refried Beans – Mash some cook pinto beans for easy refried beans.
• Soups – We love to make taco soups and adding fresh pinto beans to the batch makes for the best soup. That is why I like putting pinto beans in individual containers to easily add to soups and chili.
• Cornbread – We love making this Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread for a delicious addition to this pinto beans recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions