Crock Pot Pinto Beans - No Soaking Needed!

slow cooker pinto beans photo collage with beans on a spoon and beans in a bowl

This easy Pinto Beans recipe yields the most delicious, amazing pinto beans you’ve ever had – without having to soak your beans! A simple blend of ingredients and spices turns that bag of dried beans into your new favorite side dish. Bonus: Makes amazing refried beans too! Complete your meal with homemade cornbread, taco seasoning, or homemade tortillas!

pinto beans recipe in a serving spoon with white crockpot with text overlay

Pinto Beans

If you’re looking for a versatile, hearty side dish, this easy pinto beans recipe is perfect for so many meals. The flavor is unmatched and you’re not going to believe how easy these beans are to prepare.

Whether you’re making them for a Mexican fiesta or just want something to serve along side some grilled chicken or steak made with my famous chicken marinade or steak marinade, this recipe delivers.

One of our favorite ways to enjoy these beans is with this delicious homemade cornbread – so good!

crock pot pinto beans on a wooden spoon held over white crockpot wide shot

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Why Homemade Crock Pot Pinto Beans?

If time allows, I always prefer to make something from scratch instead of using the canned version. Luckily pinto beans can be done in the slow cooker which frees up a lot of time when it’s closer to dinner AND they taste sooooo good!

With just a little bit of work you can have amazing beans that blow away anything you’ll find in a can. Just like my homemade flour tortillas, these slow cooker pinto beans will become a staple for any Mexican dish your family loves.

  • easy – with just a few simple steps, this recipe is easy for even a novice cook
  • versatile – goes with so many different dishes
  • convenient – ready to eat when it’s dinner time
  • cost effective – beans are so inexpensive to buy and you need so few ingredients in this recipe that it’s incredibly cost effective
  • slow cooker pinto beans in black bowl with spoon and garnished with jalapeno and cilantro

    Pinto Beans FAQ

    Do you need to soak the beans over night if you cook them in a slow cooker? Nope. That’s one of my favorite parts of cooking beans in the slow cooker. You don’t have to presoak!

    Is it safe to cook pinto beans in a slow cooker? Like with any bean, you want to make sure that all the beans are cooked thoroughly. You don’t want to get sick because of some undercooked beans. The slow cooker does a great job of ensuring all the beans are cooked evenly.

    Are pinto beans healthy? Very much so. They are an excellent source of protein. As well as fiber, minerals, and vitamins.

    How many carbs are in pinto beans? Beans are mainly comprised of carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. One serving of this recipe contains approximately 40 grams of carbs.

    Ingredients Needed

    Just 8 main ingredients is all it takes. A lot of these ingredients may already be in your pantry and spice rack.

    • dry pinto beans – you’ll want to pick through these carefully before cooking.
    • jalapeno – this does not make these recipe overly spicy, just adds flavor. If you want a little more heat, feel free to double the amount.
    • yellow onion – a sweet onion will also work in a pinch.
    • garlic – fresh is best but use whatever you have on hand. If you need to use granulated garlic or garlic powder, use 1 teaspoon.
    • salt and pepper – the pinto beans get seasoned generously before cooking in the crock pot but you’ll want to test after they are done to see if they need additional salt or pepper.
    • ground cumin – this ingredient is essential as it is one of the main flavors in this recipe.
    • chicken broth – look for low sodium. Chicken stock is also great in this recipe.

    how to cook beans in crock pot step by step shown in white crock pot

    How To Cook Pinto Beans

    There are lots of ways to cook pinto beans but making them in your slow cooker is fool proof. You don’t even need to soak your beans beforehand!

    I typically start in the morning and let the beans cook all day long. However, you could also start them overnight and have them ready to go in the morning. Whatever is convenient for you. (These are a delicious addition to breakfast burritos!)

  • Saute onions, jalapeno and garlic in olive oil. You just want to soften them and bring out their flavor. You can skip this step but for the best flavor, don’t.
  • Place the beans in the slow cooker and add sauteed mixture.
  • Season with salt, pepper and cumin.
  • Pour in chicken broth and stir gently.
  • Cook on high for 8 to 9 hours or until the beans are tender.
  • How To Make Refried Beans

    You can check out my recipe here for refried beans but essentially all you’re going to need to do is mash these beans into your desired consistency. It’s just that easy!

    slow cooker pinto beans in black bowl with spoon and garnished with jalapeno tomato and cilantro

    Freezing Pinto Beans: Let the beans cool completely before placing in freezer bags. The beans can be frozen for up to 3 months. To Thaw: Remove from freezer and let that in refrigerator overnight. Reheat over low heat with additional chicken broth or water as needed.

    I know you’re going to love this pinto beans recipe as much as my family does!

    More Favorite Bean Recipes

  • Baked Beans
  • Green Bean Recipe (my Nana’s and it is SO good!)
  • Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans
  • Slow Cooker Refried Beans
  • Kielbasa and Barbecue Beans
  • How To Make Pinto Beans

    Crock Pot Pinto Beans

    This easy Pinto Beans recipe yields the most delicious, amazing pinto beans you've ever had - without having to soak your beans! A simple blend of ingredients and spices turns that bag of dried beans into your new favorite side dish. Bonus: Makes amazing refried beans too!

    Course Side Dish Cuisine American Keyword crock pot pinto beans, pinto beans Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 8 hours Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes Servings 10 Calories 237kcal Author Trish - Mom On Timeout

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups dry pinto beans rinsed and picked through
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 jalapeno seeded and chopped
    • 1 yellow onion dice
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 tsp pepper
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 tsp ground cumin
    • 64 oz low sodium chicken broth may use stock

    Instructions

    • Heat olive oil in a medium skillet. Add onion and jalapeno saute for 3 to 5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and saute for an additional minute.

    • In a large, 6 quart slow cooker, place beans, onion mixture, salt, pepper, and cumin.

    • Pour broth over the top and stir gently. If beans are not covered, add just enough water to cover the beans.

    • Cook beans on high for 8 to 9 hours or until tender. Test seasoning and add salt if needed.

    • Serve immediately.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 237kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 62mg | Potassium: 986mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 3mg

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