Crock Pot Pinto Beans

These delicious crock pot pinto beans, flavored with onions, jalapeños, garlic and spices, have become a staple in our home because they are effortless to make and very versatile. In addition to the slow cooker pinto beans recipe, we discuss whether to soak or not soak your beans, as well as how to cook this recipe in an Instant Pot and on the stovetop.

We eat these slow-cooker pinto beans probably every other week. Typically, they top a bowl of black rice with avocado and roasted butternut squash. They are fantastic over a baked sweet potato, where their spiciness perfectly balances the sweetness of the sweet potato. 

For a quick lunch, top the pinto beans with some queso fresco or Monterey Jack and scallions. And when mashed, these crock pot pinto beans fill in for refried beans alongside your tacos or inside quesadillas or burritos. 

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It is just so easy to let my slow cooker do all the heavy lifting for this pinto beans recipe. These pinto beans and their liquid take on the flavor of the onions, garlic, jalapeños, and spices, which they are cooked over several hours. Then, I freeze them in one-cup and half-cup portions using these Prep work Freezer Pods so that I have them for quick meals.

ingredients in these crock pot pinto beans

pinto beans

The star of this dish, pinto beans are a type of legume rich in fiber and protein. They have a creamy texture and a mild, earthy flavor. When purchasing pinto beans, choose dried beans that are uniform in size and free of cracks or discoloration.

Pinto beans are high in fiber, protein, and essential nutrients. Sorting and rinsing the beans will remove any debris or small stones before cooking. Soaking the beans overnight before cooking can help to soften them and reduce the cooking time.

onion

The onion adds a savory and slightly sweet flavor to the dish. Yellow or white onions are the best choices for this recipe due to their robust flavors.

garlic

Fresh garlic cloves are used to add a rich, aromatic flavor to the beans. Mince or press the garlic for optimal flavor release. If you don’t have fresh garlic on hand, you can substitute with 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder per clove of garlic.

jalapeño

This spicy pepper adds a kick to the pinto beans. Remove the seeds and veins to reduce the heat if you prefer a milder flavor. If you don’t have jalapenos, you can substitute them with serrano peppers or canned green chilies.

chipotle in adobo

Chipotle in adobo adds a smoky, spicy flavor and deep red color to the dish. Chop the peppers finely to distribute the flavor evenly. Consider making chipotle paste! This great idea is from my friend Deb.

Guajillo or Pasilla chili

These dried chilies provide a mild to moderate heat and fruity, earthy flavor. Adding them is optional, but they will enhance the dish’s complexity.

cumin

Cumin is a warm, earthy spice that adds depth to the dish. Ground cumin is preferred, but you can also use cumin seeds, toasted and ground.

smoked paprika

This spice adds a subtle smoky flavor to the beans. Regular paprika can be used as a substitute, but it will not provide the same smokiness.

salt

Salt enhances the flavors of the beans and seasonings. Adjust the amount according to your taste and dietary needs.

black pepper

Freshly ground black pepper adds mild heat and complexity to the dish. Adjust the amount to suit your personal taste.

chicken, beef, or vegetable broth or water

The choice of broth will affect the overall flavor of the dish. Chicken and beef broth will add a richer, meatier flavor, while vegetable broth or water will keep the dish lighter and vegetarian-friendly. Use more liquid for saucier beans.

bay leaves

Bay leaves impart a subtle, herbal flavor to the beans. Remove them before serving, as they are not meant to be eaten.

do pinto beans have to be soaked before cooking in a crock pot?

There was a time when I was all in on soaking my beans before cooking them. But, I’ve slowly realized that that is not always necessary, especially with thin-skinned beans like dry pinto beans, black beans, black-eyed peas, and Great Northern beans. All this to say, there is no reason to soak pinto beans for this simple recipe. 

BUT…and this is an important ‘BUT’…this is not a universal rule for all dried beans. Kidney Beans, White Kidney Beans, and Broad Beans contain a toxin called…are you ready?… Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). While it is a toxin, I couldn’t find evidence of actual death in humans, but rather vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pains. So, after soaking your kidney and broad beans, boil them in fresh water for at least 30 minutes. Typically, the toxin is destroyed when boiled at 200ºF for 10 minutes, but scientists recommend 30 minutes to ensure the beans reach the proper temperature for the requisite time.

Other means of cooking reach this 200° quickly enough to destroy the PHA, but the nature of crock pots and slow cookers is that they don’t. No need to panic; just know that with Kidney Beans, White Kidney Beans (Cannellini Beans), and Broad Beans, you need to boil them for 10 minutes before you add them to your slow cooker. Knowledge is Power!

But, if you do want to soak your pinto beans before you toss them into the crock pot for this recipe, I’ve got you covered. Check out the chart below, under the instant pot and stovetop heading.

how long does it take to cook unsoaked pinto beans in a slow cooker

If you need them quickly, typically, these unsoaked pinto beans in a slow cooker will be done in five-ish hours if cooked on high. But if you need to make them earlier in the day, set them on low for seven to eight hours.

But there is one big caveat to this general rule of thumb! Well, actually two caveats.

1. The age of your beans. If they have been sitting around for a while, your beans may be drier than the average bean and, thus, need to cook a bit longer to refresh. It is worth noting that really old and dry beans may never fully rehydrate.
2. Your crockpot or slow cooker. I have two crockpots; one has three settings (warm, low, and high). I’ve never used the high because it actually boils on warm! My other crockpot seems to be better calibrated. All this to say, you know if your crock pot runs hot or cool, so take that into consideration.

what if you know your pinto beans are a little old

If I know my beans are pushing a year or more, I will help them out a bit by giving them a good soak. I will use 8 cups of water and 1 1/2 tablespoons salt per pound of dry beans and let them soak overnight or a minimum of eight hours.

how to cook these pinto beans in an instant pot or on the stovetop

While four hours is pretty quick for slow cooking, sometimes you need your pinto beans NOW! Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

You can make these pinto beans in the instant pot or on the stove top by following this chart, which also takes into consideration whether or not you soak your beans! So many options!

how can you tell when your crock pot pinto beans are done?

I’ve referred to the Tamar Adler book, An Everlasting Meal, before. It’s one of those books I like to re-read from time to time for inspiration. Here’s her guidance on testing the doneness of beans:

Beans are done when they are velvety to their absolute middles.  You should feel, as soon as you taste one, as though you want to eat another.  The whole pot is only ready when five beans meet that description.  If one doesn’t, let the beans keep cooking…Tamar Adler

I use the chicken broth I can in this recipe. You can see that recipe and how to can chicken broth and other broths and stocks here.

substitution and addition suggestions

• Add a ham hock while cooking for a smokier flavor.
• Saute the onions, jalapeño, and garlic in three slices of chopped bacon
• Cook using vegetable broth to make these beans vegetarian.
• Diced Tomato
• Top with cilantro, scallions, and or queso fresco

I make a big pot of these slow cooker pinto beans and freeze them in one-cup and half-cup portions using these Prepwork Freezer Pods to have them for quick meals. They keep well for six to eight months in the freezer and three to four days in the refrigerator.

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