There is nothing more comforting on a cool night than a batch of juicy pinto beans in a rich broth bubbling away on the stove. This classic Texas recipe takes all the fuss out of preparing beans with a tried and true crockpot method, which frees up the stove and gives you more time to focus on other components of your meal. (Or use that time to relax!)
The majority of the ingredients are likely already in your kitchen, and substituting similar ingredients you already have on hand is a breeze with this easy-going recipe. Trade in different peppers or chili powder for your own flavor combination, because you really can't mess up this recipe when you maintain the beans to broth ratio.
Should I Soak Pinto Beans Overnight?
For this recipe, I use the quick boil method which boils the beans briefly and then allows them to soak in the water for an hour rapidly softening and absorbing liquid. I don't use the overnight method because this technique seems to work just as well with less fuss. I'll update this post if I ever change my opinion!
Should I Pour Out the Bean Water and Start Fresh?
This question has two answers. If you experience gastro discomfort after eating beans of any kind removing the soaking water and starting fresh has been proven to alleviate gas and bloating symptoms. If you need to start with fresh water to enjoy beans, by all means do it.
As a chef and student of real Mexican cuisine, this is not done in the parts of Mexico where I have trained. The bean juice is so wonderfully flavored most chefs, restaurants, and cooking teachers would warn against pouring out all that wonderful flavor that the beans have released in the initial soak. You'd be pouring out a rich foundation for your broth.
Only you know your particular level of discomfort with beans and can make the best decision for you!
Can I change the Peppers or Spices in this Crockpot Pinto Bean Recipe?
For this crockpot pinto bean recipe, I've chosen to use anaheim peppers (or any long green chile will work), but jalapenos can be used as well. You may feel like removing the ribs and seeds of the jalapeno if your family is sensitive to spice. It would be okay to use canned green chiles in the pinto beans as well if fresh chiles are out of season.
What Other Recipes Are Served with Texas Pinto Beans?
With pinto beans I say you can go two directions. Barbecue or Tex Mex. Here are some of my favorite suggestions...
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Texas Pinto Beans Recipe in the Crock-Pot
Ingredients
- ¼ c. bacon fat
- 1 lb. bag pinto beans
- ½ white onion diced
- 2 ½ T. fresh garlic minced finely (about 5 cloves)
- 2 long green chiles such as hatch or anaheim, diced with seeds
- 2 c. salted chicken stock
- 2 t. New Mexico chile powder
- 1 t. onion powder
- 1 t. black pepper
- ½ t. salt add more to taste if needed
- Optional: After the beans are tender a pop of acidity can be added with 2 t. hot pepper sauce or fresh lime juice.
- Garnish: Freshly chopped cilantro or queso fresco
Instructions
- Place the pinto beans in a stockpot and fill with water until it just covers the beans.
- Bring to a rolling boil. Boil 10 minutes, then turn off the heat and let the beans soak for 1 hour while preparing the crockpot.
Turn the crockpot to high and add in ¼ c. bacon fat.
Dice the white onion, green chiles, and garlic up and add to the crockpot as you chop them up.- Add in all the spices, but do not add the chicken stock yet. The veggies will slowly cook in the bacon fat as the beans complete their 1-hour soak. Stir occasionally.
After 1 hour, pour in the beans and the bean juice. Add in the chicken stock.
Cook for 2-3 hours, until tender. Finish with additional salt and the optional acidity ingredients once the beans are cooked. Beans can be held hot in this crockpot, just add a little water or chicken stock to thin as needed.
Cheryl says
Made these beans with your recommendation of replacing the water since I am unfortunately one that experiences excess gastro discomfort after eating beans. Your receipe is phe-nom-en-al and simple! And my internal symptoms I just spoke about were minimal so it worked...yay for me!!! 🙂
Deanne says
Hi. In your intro about soaking the beans you use the word elevate but I think you mean alleviate. (Elevate means to make worse and I think that's not what you meant.) Thanks for this recipe! I'm excited to try it.
Sarah Penrod says
HA! Thanks for letting me know! Spell-check strikes again!