How Does Ree Drummond Cook Pinto Beans? Her Simple Technique for Perfect Beans Every Time

Ree Drummond, aka The Pioneer Woman, knows a thing or two about cooking delicious, hearty meals. Her recipes are beloved for being flavorful yet unfussy, made with simple techniques anyone can master. This especially applies to Ree’s method for cooking pinto beans, which she shares in her recipe for Perfect Pinto Beans.

Ree’s pinto bean cooking method delivers tender beans full of flavor. By following her straightforward steps, you can enjoy pot after pot of perfect pinto beans to use in all kinds of Tex-Mex and Southwestern dishes.

An Overview of Ree’s Pinto Bean Recipe

Ree’s recipe yields a big batch – 12 servings! – so you’ll have plenty of pinto beans on hand to incorporate into tacos burritos, soups and more.

Here’s an overview of how Ree cooks her pinto beans:

• Soak beans overnight
• Drain soak water and rinse beans
• Simmer beans with seasonings and aromatics until tender, about 3 hours

The keys are the overnight soak to fully hydrate the beans and a long gentle simmer to break down the beans’ tough cell walls.

Ree also adds lots of flavor to the cooking liquid. By infusing the beans with spices, herbs, bacon, and veggies as they cook, she builds tons of taste right into the beans.

Why an Overnight Soak Makes Beans More Tender

Dry beans contain complex carbohydrates that make their cell walls rigid and dense. To become tender and creamy, those cell walls need to be broken down with prolonged cooking and hydration.

By covering the beans with water and letting them soak for 8-12 hours, the beans fully saturate with moisture. This softens the cell walls so they are primed to burst open during the simmering process.

Soaked beans cook much more evenly and quickly compared to beans that go straight into the pot unsoaked. Soaking slashes cooking time significantly, with soaked beans taking 2-3 hours versus unsoaked beans that can take up to 5 hours to become tender.

Seasoning the Cooking Liquid for Flavorful Beans

Ree flavors the bean cooking liquid with:

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Cayenne
• Bacon
• Garlic
• Bay leaves
• Onion
• Bell pepper

This mixture of spices, savory bacon, aromatic veggies, and herbs infuses the beans with tons of flavor as they simmer away. The beans absorb all that deliciousness right into their creamy interior.

You could also add ingredients like chicken or vegetable broth, smoked pork hocks, sautéed peppers and onions, or a ham bone to the cooking liquid for even more flavor.

Maintaining a Gentle Simmer

Once she’s added the soaked beans and flavorings to the pot, Ree brings the liquid to a boil. Then she reduces the heat to low and lets the beans simmer gently until fork tender.

Simmering accomplishes two things:

• It maintains a high enough temperature (180°F to 210°F) to soften beans gradually.

• The bubbling motion keeps the beans moving so they cook evenly.

Vigorously boiling beans can burst their skins and cause the beans to break down. Gently simmering ensures the beans remain intact.

Ree simmers her pinto bean mixture for 2 to 3 1/2 hours, until the beans offer no resistance when pressed with a fork. The time will vary based on the age and size of your beans.

Tips for Making Ree’s Pinto Beans

Here are some handy tips to ensure your pinto beans turn out perfectly using Ree’s technique:

• Pick over beans to remove any dirt, debris, or damaged beans before soaking. This prevents off flavors.

• Soak beans in a large container as they expand to 2-3 times their dried size.

• Change the soaking water at least once to remove indigestible compounds that cause gas.

• Don’t add salt during cooking as it can prevent beans from becoming tender. Add after beans have softened.

• Check beans at least every 30 minutes once they start becoming tender. They can overcook quickly.

• Add more cooking liquid if needed to keep beans fully submerged.

• Stir beans occasionally to distribute seasonings and ensure even cooking.

• Let beans cool in their liquid. They’ll continue to absorb flavor and moisture.

Storing and Serving Ree’s Pinto Beans

Ree’s recipe makes a big pot of beans perfect for multiple meals. Here are some serving ideas:

• Pair the beans with rice and top with shredded cheese, salsa, and avocado.

• Mash some of the beans and stir back into the whole beans for creamy texture.

• Make bean and cheese tacos or burritos with your favorite taco toppings.

• Purée beans with broth for a quick bean soup.

• Toss beans with chopped greens, quinoa, and a citrusy vinaigrette for a hearty salad.

You can store leftover beans and their liquid in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The beans also freeze well for months.

So try Ree’s straightforward method for amazing pinto beans. Her recipe and simmering technique delivers tender, full flavored beans every time!