Spiced No Soak Crockpot Pinto Beans

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Crockpot Pinto Beans are a classic pantry staple meal. They’re versatile, adaptable, nutritious, and are found in almost everybody’s pantry. Slow Cooker Pinto Beans is 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

Like Crockpot Chicken Fajitas, 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 Mexican recipe for a busy weeknight meal like meatless Monday or a for a Taco Tuesday meal too.

Packed with smoky flavors from your ham or bacon, chipotle flakes, and smoked paprika, these beans get more delicious the longer they cook. Love making a meal along with Crockpot Salsa Chicken.

Is crockpot cooking a new venture for you? If so, check out this extensive collection of crockpot wisdom, inventive approaches, and smart tricks to make the most of your slow cooker.

What Are Pinto Beans?

Pinto beans are extremely popular in the US and parts of Mexico. They’re light brown speckled beans that are very nutritious and hearty.

They go great in chili, and stews, and are the base of refried beans. Inexpensive, nutrient-dense, high in fiber, protein, and fat-free, pintos are a 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 Make This Slow Cooker Pinto Beans Recipe

• Versatile and budget-friendly – Whether you’re cheering on your favorite team on game day or hustling through a busy weeknight, these beans are your trusty companions. They’re incredibly adaptable and won’t break the bank.
• Dump N Start – Cooking doesn’t get any easier than this. With minimal effort, you can create a flavorful meal for which your taste buds will thank you.
• Meal Prep Solution – Great for meal planning. Cook a batch of these crock pot pinto beans store them in the fridge or freezer and you’ll have the convenience of easy, ready-to-go meals.

Cooking Pinto Beans Without Soaking

You probably have been conditioned that you have to soak pinto beans. But what if I told you you don’t need to? And, here’s why,

• Time-Saving – Soaking the beans overnight can be time-consuming. Cooking pinto beans without soaking allows you to prepare a meal more quickly, which is especially convenient for busy cooks.
• Nutrient Retention – Some water-soluble nutrients can leach into the soaking water when you soak beans. By cooking them directly, you retain more of the beans’ nutrients in your final dish.
• Texture Control – Not soaking beans can give you more control over the final texture. If you prefer beans with a firmer texture, you can achieve this by cooking them without soaking.
• No Pre-Planning – Sometimes, you may decide to make a meal with pinto beans on a whim and not have time for soaking. Cooking them without soaking allows for greater spontaneity in your cooking.
• Flavor Infusion – Some cooks (me included) believe that cooking beans from dry without soaking can produce beans that absorb flavors more readily during the cooking process, leading to a richer taste.

However, it’s important to note that soaking beans can help reduce cooking time and may aid in digestion for some individuals. Soaking is a matter of personal preference, and you can choose whether or not to soak based on your specific cooking needs and desired outcomes.

Looking to simplify your meal prep? Explore this fantastic compilation of effortless Dump and Start Crockpot Recipes, brimming with various hassle-free dinner options.

Ingredient Notes

• Pinto Beans – Choose top-notch pinto beans to serve as the hearty foundation of this pinto beans recipe. Quality beans will ensure a perfect texture and rich, earthy flavor.
• Bacon or Ham – Opt for high-quality bacon or ham to infuse the beans with a smoky, savory essence. Quality meat will make a noticeable difference in the overall taste.
• Chicken Broth – Select a flavorful and well-balanced chicken broth to provide the necessary liquid and depth of taste to your beans. A good-quality broth complements the beans perfectly.
• Spices – Oregano, Cumin, Coriander, Smoked Paprika, Onion Powder, Chipotle Flakes: These spices are the heart of the flavor profile. Choose premium quality spices to ensure the perfect blend of smokiness, earthiness, and a touch of heat in your pinto beans.
• Bay Leaves – High-quality bay leaves impart a subtle, aromatic note to your beans, enhancing their overall taste. Fresh, whole bay leaves are ideal.
• Salt – Select a high-quality salt to season your beans. Using good-quality salt can make a noticeable difference in the final taste of your dish.

Ready to learn how to make these Crock Pot Pinto Beans Recipe? Grab those dried pinto beans and the other ingredients, and I will show you…

How To Cook Pinto Beans In Crock Pot

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 and cook the beans 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. 

And once you have made these, mash them, and you have refried beans.

Expert 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? Remove some from 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 like salt and black pepper. 
• You may need to thin them out when reheating by adding more broth or other liquid.
• 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? 
•  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 Crock pot 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 And Storage

This Pinto Beans recipe is an ideal meal prep recipe because it can be easily stored in the fridge or freezer until needed. I love to make big batches and freeze until I need beans for other recipes.

• Make Ahead – Make ahead and refrigerate for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
• Reheat – If you want to reheat your leftover beans, toss them in a saucepan on the stove for 5 minutes or until they’re warm. 
• Store – In an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 
• Freeze – Let beans cool down, then transfer them into these 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.
• Meal Prep – Feel free to make a fair amount of crockpot pinto beans; you can get several meals out of one pot of beans with a few adjustments.

FAQs

Similar Recipes

Looking for more EASY, delicious, and flavorful recipes? I’ve got you covered. Check out my full collection of Crockpot recipes, or start a few of my most popular recipes:

• Easy Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas Casserole
• Easy Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
• Easy Crockpot Salsa Chicken

Serve Pinto Beans In The Crock Pot With:

• Instant Pot Cornbread – This is the ideal companion for Slow Cooker Pinto Beans, offering a delightful contrast in textures, with the moist and crumbly cornbread complementing the rich, savory beans.
• Instant Pot Baked Potatoes – Pair your Slow Cooker Pinto Beans with creamy, perfectly cooked Instant Pot Baked Potatoes for a satisfying and wholesome meal that’s a favorite among many.
• Instant Pot Mexican Rice – Enjoy the combination of Easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice with your Slow Cooked Pinto Beans, creating a hearty and flavorful feast that’s perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners.

Our family loves pinto beans, so we have all the recipes you can imagine, from How To Season Pinto Beans, How To Cook Canned Pinto Bean, (yes, we teach you how to jazz these canned beans up!) and for those Mexican evenings, we have these Instant Pot Mexican Pinto Beans. And if that’s not enough, we have covered all cooking methods with How to Cook Pinto Beans. So, no excuses!

Recommended Tools

• Use an awesome crockpot to make the best pinto beans.
• Best ever sea salt flakes to add additional flavor.
• Kitchen utensils are a must for making this recipe.
• For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

Weight Watchers Points 

There is just 1 Blue Plan SmartPoint in one serving of this.

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