There’s something so satisfying about a simple pot of beans: it’s full of protein, super economical, and an easy way to make a healthy meal. Cooking dry beans is something we used to do often, but we’ve fallen out of practice lately. So we’re resolved to get back on the train! All you need is a bit of forethought to simmer up the beans into an irresistibly creamy, savory-spiced pot of beans that works as a side dish or simple main protein. Here’s what you need to know about how to cook pinto beans from scratch!
What you need for this pinto beans recipe
Pinto beans are simple to whip up, and a great way to infuse plant-based protein and fiber into your every day. Sure, canned beans are convenient (and we use them often). But cooking dry beans is much more delicious and cheaper! They come out perfectly seasoned with smoky spices, and you can adjust seasonings to your taste. This pinto beans recipe has a creamy sauce that works when serving them as a side dish or main. You can also skip the sauce if you’re simply using them in a recipe that calls for canned pinto beans. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
Dry pinto beans White onion (or yellow onion) Garlic Kosher salt Cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika Butter (or vegan butter or olive oil) All-purpose flour (or cornstarch)
How to cook pinto beans
This pinto beans recipe is simple and mostly hands-off, but you do have to remember to soak the beans the night before! This is the traditional method for cooking dried beans, though there is some contention over whether it’s actually necessary for modern cooks. However, in our tests we’ve found that soaking the beans overnight helps them to cook more evenly. Here are the basic steps for how to cook pinto beans:
Making the creamy sauce
This pinto beans recipe is quite versatile: you can make the creamy sauce if you plan to serve them as a side or main dish. Or, you can omit this step if you plan to use the beans in a recipe that calls for canned beans that are rinsed. We highly recommend making the creamy sauce, since it’s so flavorful and perfect for making the beans work as a cohesive dish! If you eat gluten-free, you can use cornstarch for thickening.
Is the overnight soak required?
There is some contention among modern chefs and cooks about whether it’s required to soak dried beans. We’ve tried it both ways, and we prefer the texture of the beans when you soak the night before. They generally cook more evenly than if you don’t soak them, when some can end up crunchy and others are falling apart. However, you can omit the overnight soak in a pinch! You may need to cook the pinto beans slightly longer and add a hint more salt in the final seasoning.
Storage for pinto beans
Cooking 1 pound of dried beans yields about 6 cups cooked beans. Store leftovers refrigerated in their liquid for 3 to 5 days. For any beans you won’t eat before 5 days, store them frozen for up to 8 months in a sealable storage container. If you’re using these cooked pinto beans in a recipe that calls for canned, keep in mind that 1 ½ cups pinto beans = 15 oz can.
Other flavor options
There are lots of other ways to flavor pinto beans! The recipe as written is vegetarian and vegan (with olive oil or vegan butter). Of course, many people love to add bacon to their beans, which you can also do! Here are a few more ideas for flavoring this pinto beans recipe:
Add sauteed chopped bacon to the pot. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons liquid from a can of chipotle chilis in adobo for smoky heat. Add a few pinches red pepper flakes for a zing. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons tomato paste for a tangy, full-bodied sauce. Add 1 tablespoon soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce for extra salty flavor.
Ways to serve this pinto beans recipe
This pinto beans recipe can be used as a substitute for canned beans, but we like it best on its own as a side dish or a simple main dish! Serve it with rice and a salad for a cozy meal, or it’s versatile enough to work with a long list of main dishes. It’s especially nice to add protein to a meatless meal! Here are a few ideas:
Add rice and a salad to make it a main dish (and top with a bit of hot sauce if you like). Pick from these top salad recipes. Serve as a side with vegetarian or vegan mains like fajitas, eggplant rollatini, vegetarian meatballs, BBQ tofu, or crispy tofu. Make a bowl meal with rice and sautéed veggies for a quick plant-based main.
More bean recipes
Love cooking dried and canned beans? Here are a few more recipes to try:
Learn How to Cook Black Beans Try Borlotti Beans, Lupini Beans or Easy Butter Beans Go canned with Easy Black Beans, Easy White Beans or Easy Cannellini Beans Use a pressure cooker for Easy Instant Pot Pinto Beans or Instant Pot Black Beans
This pinto beans recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan an dairy-free. For gluten-free, use cornstarch. 5 from 1 review
