Slow Cooker Pinto Beans

My delicious recipe for slow cooker pinto beans is a comforting and flavorful dish that's easy to make. These pinto beans are cooked low and slow, resulting in a creamy and hearty texture. No soaking necessary!

With a blend of herbs and adobo seasoning, they offer a delicious depth of flavors. Whether as a side dish or main course, this recipe will be one you'll want to make again.

 

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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.

If you've never made your own beans then you're in for a treat. Sure, canned pinto beans are easy and convenient, but they also taste easy and convenient. Cooking beans may sound daunting but it's as easy as filling the slow cooker and turning it on.

Why is this pinto bean recipe different? There is no soaking involved. And I use my delicious homemade adobo seasoning to season pinto beans. If you have your own store-bought seasoning that's great! But I recommend giving this homemade version a try.

Need more beans? Try this delicious Southern Style Pinto Bean recipe or tender Butter Beans. Keep it simple with Slow Cooker Black Beans and Homemade Baked Beans. Then check out some helpful information on how to cook dried beans.

Ingredients

• Dried pinto beans - Rinsed and picked over. It isn't necessary to soak pinto beans for this recipe. Soaked or quick soak pinto beans can still be used, just lower your cooking time.
• Vegetable broth - Canned or boxed works great. Chicken broth or stock can also work, depending on your preference.
• Water - Pinto beans can be made with just water, simply replace the amount of broth needed with water.
• Bay leaves - I really love the flavor bay leaves add, but you can swap them out with other herbs like fresh cilantro, thyme, or garlic cloves.
• Adobo seasoning - Store-bought adobo is okay and adds great flavor. For more depth and richness try making your own homemade adobo seasoning!

Tools needed for this recipe

• 6-quart Slow Cooker

How To Make Slow Cooker Pinto Beans

Place the beans in a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the vegetable broth, water, bay leaves, and adobo seasoning and stir.

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, or until the pinto beans are tender.

Serve and enjoy!

How to store Crock Pot pinto beans

To refrigerate: Leftover cooked beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When ready to enjoy, reheat the pinto beans on the stovetop until piping hot.

To freeze: Once cooked and cooled, place the pinto beans into a freezer-safe airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating to piping hot.

Slow Cooker Pinto Beans Recipe Variations

While this recipe is delicious as is, switch it up a bit with any of these ideas:

• Tex-Mex Pinto Beans: To give your beans a southwestern twist, add diced bell peppers, jalapeños, and a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies to the slow cooker. Season with cumin, chili powder, and a hint of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
• Smoky Bacon Pinto Beans: Add crispy bacon to the slow cooker along with the pinto beans. The bacon fat will infuse the beans with a smoky flavor. You can also add diced onions and garlic for extra flavor.
• Sweet and Spicy Pinto Beans: For a balance of flavors, add a tablespoon of brown sugar to the slow cooker, along with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. The combination of sweet and spicy is so good!

What to serve with pinto beans

Here are some yummy dishes that go really well with pinto beans.

• Rice: Serve pinto beans over steamed white or brown rice. The rice complements the creamy texture of the beans and can make the two into a meal.
• Cornbread: Pinto beans and cornbread make a great combination. Try my sweet potato cornbread or this classic southern cornbread.
• Sautéed Greens: Add some healthy greens to your meal by serving pinto beans alongside sautéed turnip greens, beet greens, or collard greens.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables, like roasted sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or bell peppers, complement the earthy flavors of pinto beans.

FAQ's

Notes

• I like to use a mixture of broth and water in my beans but feel free to use all water, all broth, or chicken broth. If using water, make sure to season the beans a little more with adobo or other seasonings.
• I did not soak the beans before adding them to the slow cooker. If soaking beans overnight or doing a quick soak, reduce the cooking time.
• Slow cookers can vary in the amount of time it takes for beans to soften. If using a smaller-sized slow cooker, it may take longer for your beans to cook.

Looking for more slow cooker recipes? Try these out:

• Super Easy Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes
• Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
• Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
• Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Mushrooms

 If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!