This is the best crock pot pinto beans recipe. You can also use black beans. I use it for a lot of recipes like refried beans or Cafe Rio Salad.
I really think this is the best recipe for making beans from scratch in the crock pot. They taste so much better than canned pinto beans and are so versatile. With this recipe, you can use any kind of beans, and you don’t have to blend them to make refried beans. You can eat them as is.
A lot of the time, I use black beans in this recipe and freeze them in small freezer bags before I blend them. They’re ready to use in 10 minutes and go well with taco salads, soups, burritos, Cafe Rio Salad, and more.
My 8-year-old daughter LOVES beans. Its a pretty big obsession shes had for years. Its really weird. Its probably because when I was pregnant with her I ate a lot of them. Also, the fact that I didn’t eat any dairy while I was pregnant with my daughter could explain why she won’t eat anything but pizza that has dairy in it.
Just a theory, but I think its interesting. So, my 8-year-old daughter loves these just plain. I’m not sure what that means, though, since she picked baked beans over fried chicken at the store the other day, so I think she’s a little biased.
I love to use these in my Cafe Rio Gluten-Free Pork Salad & Dressing Recipe. You can really stretch your meat with pinto beans, and they taste great. Plus, they’re so cheap when you make them yourself. Some of my friend’s recipes call for both whole and crushed black beans. She does this to save money on ground beef, add flavor, and cut costs. You could also make a great soup by mixing this recipe with this No-Soak Instant Pot Black Bean Soup Recipe from Dried Beans.
Please let me know if you try this recipe. Are the beans you use the same kind that I use? If so, do they turn out just as well for you?
Black beans and pinto beans are two of the most popular legumes used in cooking. With their dense, nutty flavor and creamy texture when cooked, these protein and fiber-rich beans are staple ingredients in many cuisines. But have you ever considered cooking black beans and pinto beans together?
Blending these two varieties of beans can add vibrant color and texture to soups, stews, salads and more. While their cooking times differ slightly, with a few helpful tips you can easily cook black beans and pinto beans together to make a nutritious and delicious mixed bean dish.
Benefits of Cooking Black Beans and Pinto Beans Together
There are several advantages to cooking black beans and pinto beans together:
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Adds more nutrients: Black beans and pinto beans each contain their own set of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. By combining both, you get a greater diversity of nutrients.
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Provides balanced protein Beans provide plant-based protein, Mixing bean types ensures you get a more complete protein profile,
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Creates texture contrast: Black beans have a firm texture while pinto beans are softer when cooked. This creates a pleasant contrast.
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Allows for versatile uses Mixed cooked beans can be used in tacos burritos, soups salads and more, adding color and texture.
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Saves time: Cooking beans together reduces the time spent prepping multiple pots.
So by cooking black beans and pinto beans together, you can create a simple, healthy and tasty ingredient to use in many dishes!
Tips for Successfully Cooking Black Beans and Pinto Beans Together
Follow these helpful tips to ensure your black beans and pinto beans are cooked properly when making a mixed bean dish:
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Soak beans first: Soak both bean varieties for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours before cooking to shorten cooking time.
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Adjust cooking times: Since pinto beans typically cook faster than black beans, add the pinto beans to the pot 30 minutes after the black beans.
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Don’t boil: Boiling can cause beans to break down. Instead, simmer them gently.
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Check doneness: Black beans take 1-1.5 hours to become tender while pinto beans take 45 mins-1 hour.
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Add seasonings: Flavor your pot with onions, garlic, cumin, coriander or other spices.
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Finish with acid: Add lemon juice, vinegar or tomatoes at the end to brighten flavors.
Sensational Recipes Using Black Beans and Pinto Beans
Once you’ve mastered the art of cooking black beans and pinto beans together, try using them in these delicious recipes:
Southwest Quinoa Salad
- Toss together cooked quinoa, black beans, pinto beans, corn, red onion, cilantro and southwest dressing for a hearty salad.
Mexican Stuffed Peppers
- Stuff bell peppers with cooked black beans, pinto beans, rice, cheese, spices and tomato sauce for a flavorful veggie entree.
Three Bean Chili
- Simmer black beans, pinto beans and kidney beans together in a spicy tomato-based chili sauce for a protein-packed chili.
Southwest Burrito Bowls
- Create burrito bowls with black beans, pinto beans, rice, veggies, avocado, cheese and salsa.
Spicy Bean Soup
- Puree black beans and pinto beans with onions, garlic, broth and spices for a creamy, warming soup.
So don’t be afraid to get creative and combine those black beans and pinto beans in all kinds of dishes! Their dense, earthy flavors and varied textures pair so well together. Just follow the tips above to ensure they cook properly when blended. With the right preparation, you can enjoy the combined nutrition and versatility of black beans and pinto beans.
Frequency of Entities:
Black beans: 16
Pinto beans: 15
Kidney beans: 2
The Best Crock Pot Pinto Beans and/or Black Beans Recipe
- Author: Rebecca Baron
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 480 minutes
- Total Time: 495 minutes
- Yield: 16 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Clean Eating
These are insanely easy to make and taste tons better than canned beans. Any kind of bean I feel like making, I love to make a big batch and then freeze them in single servings to eat later. I “refry” them after I unthaw them, so I can use the beans whole if I want.
- 1 onion (quartered)
- 2 Cups dried pinto beans
- 1 Cup dried black beans
- ½ jalapeno (seeded and chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (chopped, about 2 Tbs)
- 2 ½ tsp Real Salt
- 1 ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 9 Cups water
- Combine everything except the water in a slow cooker.
- Add the water and stir to combine.
- Cook on high for 8 hours.
- Drain the beans, saving the liquid.
- Transfer the beans to a large bowl.
- To make it creamier, you can use an electric mixer on medium-high speed for three to five minutes. If you need to make them creamier, add some of the liquid you saved.
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The Difference Between Black & Pinto Beans
FAQ
Which dried beans can be cooked together?
Do black beans or pinto beans take longer to cook?
Are black beans and pinto beans interchangeable?
What happens if you don’t soak black beans before cooking?