Slow Cooker Pinto Beans Recipe

Pinto beans are the heart and soul of many Mexican dishes, offering a creamy texture and earthy flavor that pairs well with a variety of spices. Whether you're making charro beans or refried beans, pinto beans are incredibly versatile -- both as a side or entrée! In fact, even this slow cooker pinto beans recipe can be made a main dish by adding cueritos (pork skin), Spanish chorizo, or sliced sausage.

While cooking beans from scratch may seem intimidating, it's incredibly easy, especially with a slow cooker. By making pinto beans in a slow cooker, they cook gently over time, soaking up all the delicious spices you add. This cooking method also requires minimal effort. All you have to do is pour in the ingredients into the slow cooker, and check on them every couple of hours to make sure they don't need more water.

Benefits of Pinto Beans

• Budget-Friendly - Pinto beans are an affordable ingredient for nutritious meals on a budget! A one-pound bag of beans costs about $1 at most grocery stores and yields about 12 servings of 1/2 cup. Meanwhile, a 16-ounce can of beans costs about the same -- or more if buying name brand.
• Versatile - Pinto beans can be used in a variety of dishes, such as chili or bean enchiladas. They can also serve as a side, either as refried beans or charro beans.
• Healthy - Aside from being a great source of fiber and protein, pinto beans support bone and heart health, boost energy, and help regulate blood sugar.

Recommended Tools for Crock Pot Pinto Beans

• Slow Cooker - As the name suggests, this pinto beans recipe requires a slow cooker, such as a Crock Pot. This convenient kitchen appliance cooks food at low temperatures over several hours. It's ideal for cooking legumes, such as pinto beans and lentils, or tenderizing meats, as it allows flavors to simmer. Best of all, it saves time and allows you to enjoy hands-dree cooking!

Ingredients You'll Need

• Pinto Beans - A staple in Mexican kitchens, pinto beans are a creamy legume that's perfect for soups, stews, or as a nutritious side dish.
• Garlic - This recipe calls for garlic cloves, which are rich in antioxidants and enhance dishes with their distinctive taste.
• Salt - Add as much or as little salt as needed to get this pinto bean recipe to your liking.
• Water - While this recipe calls for 9 cups of water, make sure to keep an eye on the slow cooker and add additional water, as needed.

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