Spiced Crock Pot Pinto Beans (No Soak, GF)

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Crockpot Pinto Beans are a classic pantry staple meal. They’re very versatile, adaptable, nutritious and are found in almost everybody’s pantry. Slow Cooker Pinto Beans are a meal the whole family will love and can agree on too. 

Making your Pinto Beans in Crock Pot is sooooooo easy. And guys, you don’t have to soak your beans overnight, which means this tasty recipe is a dump n start meal that’s ready to cook away when you are. #nosoakbeans

Slow Cooker Pinto Beans are an easy recipe to make. Dump all your ingredients in, stir and go about your day. It’s a perfect Sunday evening dinner, busy weeknight meal or a  game day gathering meal too. Packed full of smoky flavors from your ham or bacon, chipotle flakes and smoked paprika, these beans get more delicious the longer they cook. 

What Are Pinto Beans?

Pinto beans are an extremely popular bean in the US and parts of Mexico. They’re light brown speckled beans that are very nutritious and hearty. They go great in chili, stews, and are the base of refried beans. Inexpensive, nutrient-dense, high in fiber, protein, and fat-free, pintos are a true staple in many kitchens. 

My family truly enjoys Crock Pot Pinto Beans and I have found that pinto beans are creamier and softer than other beans and they tend to have a nuttier, earthier, and more balanced flavor.

Why You’ll ♡ This

• Versatile and Budget Friendly – great for game days, busy weeknight dinners.
• Dump N Start – super to make; almost no effort needed.
• Meal Prep Solution – cook a big batch and store in fridge or freezer.

Tools Needed

• An awesome crockpot.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Best ever sea salt flakes.
• Kitchen utensils.

Soooo, let’s gather up these ingredients and I will show you….

How To Make Crock Pot Pinto Beans

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Add all of the ingredients into the slow cooker and mix them together
2. Cover the cooker and cook on HIGH for 8-10 hours, without opening the lid.
3. When your Slow Cooker Pinto Beans are finished cooking, adjust your seasonings as necessary. Serve and enjoy. 

Expert Recipe Tips

• Examine the beans before you cook them. Pick out the bad looking ones and toss them. 
• If you don’t like spicy pinto beans, feel free to omit the chipotle. 
• Need to thicken your beans? When done, take some out of the slow cooker, mash them and return to the rest. 
• Add salt at the end of your cooking time. Salting at the beginning may toughen the beans and increase the cooking time. Also, wait until the end to adjust other seasonings. 
• When reheating, you may need to thin them out by adding some more broth or other liquid. 
•  My beans took 9 hours in my Crockpot, but cooking time will vary depending on your slow cooker make and model and the age of your beans. Make sure to consult your manual for optimal cooking time.

Delicious Variations

There’s so many reasons to love Crockpot Pinto Beans! Here are a few alterations and adaptations you can try:

• Add flavors and spices: Sauteed onion, jalapenos, or chili peppers. If you like Mexican flavor, add in some cayenne pepper and cumin. You can also use creole seasoning, fajita seasoning, or Greek seasoning. 
• Swap meats: Try chorizo, ham hock, smoked turkey, or sausage. 
• Add veggies: add frozen or fresh veggies that you have on hand.
• Bulk out the meal: Serve your pinto beans with other carbs like cornbread, rice, or quinoa.

Prep Ahead, Freeze, Reheat And Store

These Pinto Beans are an ideal meal prep recipe because they can be easily stored in the fridge or freezer until you need it. I love to make big batches and freezing until I need beans for other recipes.

• Prep Ahead – Make ahead and refrigerate for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
• Store – In an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 
• Freeze – Let beans cool down then transfer into these very handy Ziploc freezer bags. Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags. Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer. Store in the freezer for 3 months.
• Reheat – If you want to reheat your leftover beans, try tossing them in a saucepan on the stove for 5 minutes or until they’re warm. 

Meal Prep

• – Feel free to make a fair amount of beans, and with a few adjustments, you can get several meals out of one pot of beans. Here are some suggestions:
  • Add additional broth, bring the pot to a boil and serve as a soup.
  • You can also pour some of the brothy beans over rice, potatoes, and cornbread.
  • Stuff inside corn tortillas to make a batch of vegetarian taquitos.
  • Mash the leftover beans and serve refried beans style as a side dish.

FAQs

How Long Do You Cook Pinto Beans In A Slow Cooker?

Folks, cooking times for your beans depends on what you’re looking to use the beans for. 

If you’re using these beans for salads, you’ll want firmer beans needing less cook time. If you’re using them in soups or soupy meals, you need softer beans that need longer cooking times. 

I cooked mine for 9 hours. The first time you make this recipe is kind of an experiment as far as cooking time goes.

Overall, I recommend you leave them until the 8.5- 9 hour mark before you open to check on them. Then the next time you make these beans, you can adjust your time. 

Pro Tip: It’s super important to NOT open the lid. Otherwise, they won’t cook correctly. Did you know every time you open the Slow Cooker lid it can take your dish about a half-hour to return to the temperature it was at before you opened it?

Do You Need To Soak The Beans If You Cook Them In A Slow Cooker?

Nope. Folks, that’s one of my favorite things about cooking beans in a slow cooker – there is no soaking required. 

Is It Safe To Cook Beans In The Slow Cooker?

Yes it is! Just make sure all your beans are cooked thoroughly, just like you would with any other bean and any other bean recipe. You don’t want to get sick from eating undercooked beans. 

Are Pinto Beans Healthy?

Pinto beans are quite nutritious. They’re a great source of minerals, vitamins, fiber, and calcium. Pinto beans are a great source of antioxidants too. 

Serving Suggestions

• Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes.
• Instant Pot Mexican Rice.
• Easy Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas.
• Instant Pot Cornbread + Skillet Version.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

• Slow Cooker Whole Chicken.
• Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes.
• Easy Crockpot Chicken Fajitas.
• Crockpot Green Beans and Bacon.
• Slow Cooker Spaghetti and Meatballs.
• Crockpot Breakfast Casserole.
• Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs.
• Crockpot Mashed Potatoes.
• Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Pasta.
• Crockpot Chocolate Lava Cake.
• Slow Cooker Spaghetti Casserole.
• Crockpot Tomato Soup.
• Crockpot Sweet Potato Mash.
• Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
• Crockpot Mashed Butternut Squash.

Weight Watchers Points 

There is just 1 Blue Plan SmartPoint in a serving.

Thank you for reading my Crockpot Pinto Beans recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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