• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Carefree Kitchen
  • Home
  • Recipe Box
    • All Recipes
    • Appetizers
      • Cheese
      • Dips
    • Breakfast
      • Quick Bread Recipe
      • Breakfast Casseroles
      • Eggs
      • French Toast
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Main Dish
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pasta
      • Pizza
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Turkey
    • Sides
      • Potatoes
      • Rice
      • Veggies
    • Desserts
      • Bars
      • Cakes
      • Cookies
      • No Bake
    • Breads
    • Sauces & Condiments
    • Drinks
    • Einkorn Flour
  • Videos
  • Gift Guide 2020
  • About
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Box
  • Videos
  • Gift Guide 2020
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Sides » How to Cook Pinto Beans

    How to Cook Pinto Beans

    Published: January 18, 2023 · Jill Baird · Leave a Comment

    Sharing is caring!

    9 shares
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe
    how to make pinto beans
    how to cook pinto beans
    pinto beans recipe

    This handy guide will give you a complete overview on How to Cook Pinto Beans using dried beans. These are flavorful, creamy, and seasoned simply so that they will pair with any of your favorite Mexican-inspired recipes.

    Jump to:
    • The Best Pinto Beans Recipe
    • Ingredients in This Pinto Beans Recipe
    • How to Cook Pinto Beans
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing and Reheating
    • Recipe: How to Make Pinto Beans
    • More Recipes With Beans

    The Best Pinto Beans Recipe

    Once you learn How to Cook Pinto Beans using dried beans, you will have a hard time going back to canned beans. Sure, it takes a little extra time but the result speaks for itself. These pinto beans are creamy, flavorful, and make the perfect side dish to go with tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and more. 

    Below you will find a complete guide on How to Cook Pinto Beans on the stovetop, Instant Pot, and slow cooker whether they are soaked or unsoaked. We’ll also give you instructions on how to cook your beans with onions, garlic, and a delicious blend of savory spices and we’ll answer your most frequently asked questions. 

    If you are in a pinch, don’t feel guilty about using canned beans! Sometimes time is not on your side, but you can still make them even more delicious using this recipe. Plus, whether they’re canned or dried, pinto beans are full of fiber, protein, and tons of vitamins and minerals.

    A container full of dried pinto beans.

    What to make with Pinto Beans

    • Cheesy Bean Dip
    • Crispy Bean Burritos
    • Refried Beans
    • Chipotle Beans
    • 7 Layer Bean Dip

    Ingredients in This Pinto Beans Recipe

    • Pinto Beans - you can use either dried beans or canned to make this Pinto Beans Recipe.  We have given you instructions on how to do both.
    • Avocado Oil - you can substitute another type of cooking oil if you would like.
    • Onions - we like to use white or yellow onions, finely diced.
    • Garlic - fresh minced garlic tastes best.
    • Dried Oregano - if you can find Mexican oregano, use that.  Otherwise, Italian oregano will work.
    • Spices: this recipe calls for adding chili powder, cayenne pepper, and cumin.  These are just for flavor and can be adjusted to your liking.  
    • Salt - sea salt works great.
    • Bay Leaves - fresh bay leaves have a far better flavor than dry bay leaves, if you can find them.  In order to make a fresh bay leaf last longer, store in your freezer for up to 6 months.
    • Lime Juice - this is to season your pinto beans after they have cooked.  Fresh lime juice always tastes best.

    How to Cook Pinto Beans

    Cooking Beans In Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker

    1. Pour beans into a large bowl and sort out any broken beans.  Rinse the beans, drain, and then add to the Instant Pot. 
    2. Close the Instant Pot and turn the steam release valve to the sealing position.  Pressure cook on high for 30 minutes, then let the Instant Pot natural release for about 15 minutes.
    3. After 15 minutes, quick-release any remaining pressure.

    Cooking Beans In A Slow Cooker

    1. Pour beans into a large bowl and sort out any broken beans.  Rinse, drain and then add to the slow cooker.
    2. Cover with cool water or broth, about 1" above beans, and cook on high for 5-7 hours, or until beans are tender.
    Side by side photos of a large pot full of dried beans, a pot with beans and water, and finally serving bowls with cooked pinto beans, onions, and spices.

    Cooking Unsoaked Beans On The Stovetop

    1. Pour beans into a large bowl and sort out any broken beans.  Rinse, drain and then add to a large pot.
    2. Cover with cool water about 1" above the beans.  Place a lid on the pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat.  Reduce the heat and simmer for about 2 hours, or until the beans are soft.

    How to Make This Pinto Beans Recipe

    1. Cook the beans. See above for instructions on cooking dried beans.  You can also substitute canned beans and skip this step.  If using canned pinto beans, be sure to drain and  rinse the beans under cold water before using.
    2. Cook onions and garlic. In a large pot, add the avocado oil and heat over medium heat.  Add the minced onions and sauté until golden brown, or about 5-7 minutes.  Add minced garlic and cook until garlic is soft and tender, or about 2 more minutes. 
    3. Add the beans and cook. Next, add in the cooked (or canned) pinto beans along with the oregano, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, and bay leaves.  Add water to just barely cover the beans. Bring the beans to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and continue to cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes, or until most of the water has evaporated and the beans are tender. 
    4. Serve. Turn off the heat and remove the bay leaves.  Squeeze lime juice into the beans and serve immediately as a side dish or in burritos, tacos, quesadillas, salads or nachos.  Enjoy!
    A serving dish full of cooked Pinto Beans garnished with fresh herbs and lime.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do I have to soak the beans first?

    Not at all. Our instructions show you how to cook pinto beans without soaking your dry beans first.  If you would prefer to soak your beans, they will end up taking less time to cook (about 30 minutes less if you use the stovetop method).

    Can I make these ahead of time?

    Yes! You can make this Pinto Beans Recipe up to 3 days in advance. Just cool completely, store in the fridge and then reheat slowly over medium heat.

    How long do pinto beans take to cook?

    The total cooking time for pinto beans depends on whether you are using dried or canned beans, as well as if you are cooking them on the stovetop, instant pot, or slow cooker. For unsoaked dried beans cooked on the stovetop, it should take around 2 hours to cook the beans initially and about 30 minutes more to cook the beans with the onions and seasoning.

    Storing and Reheating

    • Refrigerator: allow beans to cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
    • Freezer: if you would prefer, you can also freeze cooked pinto beans in an airtight container (or freezer bags) for up to 3 months.  You’ll want to transfer to the refrigerator overnight (or at least 6 hours) before using.
    • To reheat: transfer to a saucepot and add a splash of water.  Heat over medium stirring occasionally until the beans are warmed through.  If you are reheating a small portion, you can also reheat in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds on high.
    Print

    Recipe: How to Make Pinto Beans

    This handy guide will give you a complete overview on How to Cook Pinto Beans using dried beans. They are flavorful, creamy, and seasoned simply so that they will pair with any of your favorite Mexican-inspired recipes.
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 2 hours 40 minutes
    Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
    Servings 8 people
    Calories 130kcal
    Author The Carefree Kitchen

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb Dried Pinto Beans or 4 cans pinto beans
    • Water only necessary if using dry beans
    • 2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil
    • 2 cups Onions white or yellow, diced
    • 6 cloves Garlic minced (about 2 tablespoons)
    • 1 tsp Dried Oregano
    • 1 tsp Chili Powder
    • 1 pinch Cayenne Pepper
    • 1 teaspoon Cumin
    • 2 tsp Salt
    • 2 large Bay Leaves
    • 1 medium Lime juiced, for serving

    Instructions

    • Pour dried beans onto the counter and and sort out the broken beans. Rinse, drain, and add to a large pot. Cover with cool water about 1" above the beans. Place a lid on the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 2-3 hours, or until the beans are soft. (Note: if using canned beans, you can skip this step)
    • In a large pot, add the avocado oil and heat over medium heat. Add the minced onions and sauté until golden brown, or about 5-7 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook until garlic is soft and tender, or about 2 more minutes.
    • Next, add in the cooked (or canned) pinto beans along with the oregano, chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, and bay leaves. Add water until the beans are barely covered and continue to cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes, or until most of the water has evaporated and beans are tender.
    • Remove from the heat and remove the bay leaves. Squeeze lime juice into the beans and serve immediately as a side dish or in burritos, tacos, quesadillas, salads or nachos. Enjoy!

    Notes

    *This recipe does not require that you soak the beans.  However, if you prefer to pre-soak the beans, here are two simple methods.  Note that they will take quite a bit less time to cook after they are soaked:
    Overnight Soak (Stovetop Method)
    1. Pour beans into a large bowl and sort out any broken beans.  Rinse, drain, then add to a large pot.
    2. Cover with cool water, about 1" above the beans.  Place a lid on the pot and let soak overnight or for up to 12 hours. 
    3. Rinse beans, add liquid and spices, and cook until desired tenderness is reached ~1 hour. 
    Cooking Directions (Stovetop Method)
      1. Pour beans into a large bowl and sort out any broken beans.  Rinse, drain, then add to a large pot.
      2. Cover with cool water, about 1" above the beans.  Place a lid on the pot and simmer for 2-3 hours or until the beans have reached the desired tenderness. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 589mg | Potassium: 290mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 97IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg

    More Recipes With Beans

    • Chipotle Black Beans
    • Easy Refried Beans
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls
    • Cheesy Bean Dip
    • 7-Layer Bean Dip
    • Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowls Recipe
    • More of the Best Side Dishes
    • More Mexican-Inspired Recipes

    If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you. It helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

    This Pinto Beans Recipe is a complete guide to making creamy, flavorful beans from scratch. We'll show you how to cook pinto beans using dried beans, canned beans, over the stovetop, in the pressure cooker, and more.

    « Chocolate Covered Strawberries
    Pepper Jack Queso »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Jill.

    I love sharing my love of food with you and helping you find easy solutions for all of your family's meals and delicious treats.

    Learn More

    Let's Be Friends!

    • Facebook
    • Instragram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Most Popular Posts

    • Walking Tacos
    • Valentine's Day Dinner Ideas
    • Crispy Garlic Parmesan Wings
    • Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Dip Recipe
    • Mini Lemon Blueberry Bread
    • Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy
    • Best Hot Fudge Sauce
    • Best Cheesecake Filled Strawberries

    Explore More Recipes

    Footer

    About The Carefree Kitchen

    The Carefree Kitchen is where I get to share my love of food with you! Every recipe is tested and approved by my family and friends. These recipes are easy to prepare, nutritious, and delicious!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Copyright © 2023 · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer • Terms and Conditions

    9 shares