Healthy Pinto Beans Recipe

This Healthy Pinto Beans Recipe is very delicious with simple ingredients. These pinto beans are the perfect dish for every meal.

You can eat this on its own or just serve it with flatbread, veggies, or rice. It is versatile, tasty, and extremely simple to make.

Using this recipe, you will learn how to make the best simple pinto beans from scratch.

You can use a slow cooker, stovetop, or even an Instant Pot to make this.

What Are Pinto Beans?

When it comes to a vegan diet, beans are a very important part. They are extremely healthy and satisfying.

As you might be aware, you will find several different types of beans on the market.

You can get black beans, white beans, kidney beans, red beans, and, in this case, pinto beans.

They are all available on the market. Personally, pinto beans are my favorite, although the others are also extremely delicious.

Actually, most times, they are paired with Mexican food, thanks to their comprehensive use in the cuisine.

How to Make the Best Pinto Beans

Using this simple recipe, you will learn a healthy and affordable way to transform dried, shelf-stable pinto beans to serve on their own or turn them into refried beans.

• Course: Main Course
• Cuisine: Mexican
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Soaking Time: 8 hours
• Total Time: 11 hours and 13 minutes
• Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 pound of dried pinto beans (rinsed in a colander)
• ½ yellow onion (chopped)
• 2 bay leaves
• 4-6 cups of water
• 1 tablespoon of kosher salt
• 1/3 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves of garlic (peeled and smashed)

Laid-Out Instructions

• First, you are to get a large bowl, then proceed to add the pinto beans to it and cover it with 2–3 inches of cold water.
• After that, you are to soak the beans on the counter overnight, or you can just do it for 8 to 24 hours.
• That being done, you can now drain and rinse the beans, then get a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot and add them to it.
• Cover them with 4-6 cups of cold water, or just cover them with around 3 inches of water. Now, add the smashed garlic, bay leaves, and chopped onion, then sprinkle with olive oil.
• Afterward, season with kosher salt, then bring the beans to a boil. Remove the foam that forms and get rid of it.
• Also, reduce the heat to medium-low and then cook at a gentle simmer for around 2 hours, or just until soft.
• Make sure it is uncovered, and you can actually cook it longer if that is required.
• When that is done, you can now add more water to keep the beans submerged. If it is also needed.
• Just remove the beans from the heat and get rid of the bay leaves immediately after the beans are cooked to your desired tenderness.
• Ensure that you taste for seasoning, and if needed, add more salt to it. Proceed to serve immediately or at room temp.
• You can also refrigerate the leftover beans in their cooking liquid if you have any. They will last for up to 1–2 weeks.

How to Store Healthy Pinto Beans

When it comes to these pinto beans, the thing about them is that they are extremely easy to store.

All you need to do is get an airtight container, place the leftover pinto beans in it, and then put them in the refrigerator.

Storing them this way will make them last up to three days. Although you need to ensure that they are totally cool before you go ahead and store them, otherwise they will go bad.

In addition, you can also freeze these beans. Just portion them and place them in a plastic zipper bag.

After that, go ahead and place the bags in the freezer, and they will be able to last for up to three months.

Pinto Beans Serving Suggestions

Just garnish the pinto beans with cilantro and red pepper flakes when you are ready to eat them.

To make them a meal, all you need to do is pair them with tortillas, cilantro lime rice, and vegetable side dishes such as sautéed greens or fajita veggies.

For a pop of bright flavor, you can also top it all off with pico de gallo or pickled onions. Or, for richness, just add a scoop of guacamole.

This best recipe for pinto beans is also a great side dish. You can serve it as a part of an at-home taco bar or with vegan jackfruit tacos, homemade taquitos, roasted cauliflower tacos, avocado sweet potato tacos, or vegetarian black bean enchiladas.

Recipe FAQs

Are Pinto Beans Keto-Friendly?

Anything that is high in carbs is not keto-friendly. This is according to a rule of thumb.

Naturally, pinto beans are high in carbohydrates, which makes them not keto-friendly. So the answer is no.

How Many Calories Are In Pinto Beans?

You will find 42 calories in one tablespoon of pinto beans. However, one cup of boiled pinto beans with salt contains 245 calories.

Pinto beans are high in fiber, which in turn means that they are effective when it comes to helping you lose weight.

Can You Grow Pinto Beans In Your Backyard?

There are a few necessary steps you need to take before you start growing pinto beans in your backyard.

The first thing you need to do is ensure that your soil is prepared accordingly.

I strongly recommend fertile soil with a pH of 7.0. Mix compost into the soil. Pinto beans actually take around 90 days to cultivate.

Do Pinto Beans Have To Be Soaked Before Cooking?

Some people soak their beans, while others don’t bother. However, if you want to end up with a great pot of these delicious beans, then I suggest you go for the overnight soaking.

You are to soak the beans first, then rehydrate them before cooking, as this helps relieve the beans of the sugars and breaks down the fiber that causes gas and bloating.

Final Thoughts on Healthy Pinto Beans Recipe

As mentioned above, soak the pinto beans overnight before you cook them, or you can just do a quick soak the day you want to cook them.

I advise any of the two, as they will result in the best pinto beans. Also, add salt to taste.

The longer the beans cook, the better they will taste, so take your time.

Naturally, pinto beans are healthy as they are a source of iron, vitamin B, potassium, and fiber.

They are also grown and harvested just like other vegetables. And this concludes this guide on the Healthy Pinto Beans Recipe.