How Long to Cook Pinto Beans in a Crockpot for Perfectly Tender Beans

Pinto beans are a versatile and nutritious staple that can be used in a variety of dishes, from burritos to soups and more. While canned beans are convenient, cooking your own dried pinto beans from scratch is worthwhile, allowing you to control the flavor and texture. The crockpot is an easy, hands-off way to cook beans without having to watch a pot on the stove. But how long does it actually take to cook pinto beans in a crockpot?

Factors That Affect Crockpot Pinto Bean Cooking Time

Several factors impact how long it takes pinto beans to become tender in the slow cooker, including:

• Bean Freshness Older, drier beans take longer to hydrate and soften than fresher beans.

• Soaking Time: Beans that are soaked before cooking soften more quickly. Standard soaking times are 8-12 hours or an overnight soak.

• Water Amount: More water equals faster cooking. Ensure beans are fully submerged.

• Bean Variety: Certain types of beans naturally cook faster. Black beans may soften faster than pintos.

• Slow Cooker Size/Model: Small 1-2 quart crockpots heat food faster than large 6-7 quart versions. Newer models tend to cook hotter.

• Temperature Setting Beans cook significantly faster on high vs. low

• Altitude: At higher altitudes above 3000 feet, beans take longer to soften due to lower boiling point.

Standard Crockpot Cooking Times for Pinto Beans

As a general guideline, here are the average crockpot cooking times for dried pinto beans:

• Unsoaked beans on HIGH: 8-10 hours
• Soaked beans on HIGH: 6-8 hours
• Unsoaked beans on LOW: 10-12 hours
• Soaked beans on LOW: 8-10 hours

However, exact cooking times can vary based on the factors above, so checking beans periodically for doneness is recommended.

Step-by-Step Guide for Cooking Pinto Beans in a Crockpot

Follow these simple steps for tender, flavorful crockpot pinto beans every time:

1. Pick through the beans and rinse. Remove any shriveled beans or debris. Rinsing prevents beans from foaming while cooking.

2. Soak (optional). For quicker cooking, soak beans 8-12 hours or overnight in water. Discard soaking water which can cause gas.

3. Add beans and fresh water to crockpot. Beans should be fully submerged in water. Add 1 cup beans to 3-4 cups water.

4. Season (optional). Add any aromatics like onions, garlic, herbs or spices. Salt can toughen bean skins so add at end.

5. Cook on HIGH. Cook unsoaked beans for 8-10 hours. Soaked beans take 6-8 hours. Check occasionally.

6. Check doneness. Beans are done when very tender and creamy inside. If still firm, continue cooking.

7. Drain and season. Drain excess water if needed. Add salt, pepper, herbs to taste.

8. Enjoy pinto beans! Use in tacos, rice bowls, soups, dips and more. Freeze leftovers up to 6 months.

Tips for Great Crockpot Pinto Beans

• Add smoked ham hocks or bacon for smoky flavor. Remove meat before serving.

• Saute aromatic veggies like onion, garlic, chili peppers before adding to crockpot.

• Add acids like tomato, lemon juice, vinegar or wine at the end to keep beans intact.

• Don’t add salt, tomatoes, molasses, or sugar during cooking as they can toughen skins.

• Mash a portion of cooked beans and stir back in for thicker texture.

• Leave bean liquid in crockpot or drain and reserve for adding moisture back when reheating.

Testing Doneness of Pinto Beans

Since crockpots vary, it’s important to check beans for doneness a few times while cooking. There are a few ways to test when beans are perfectly tender:

• Use a fork to mash a bean against the side of the crockpot. It should be smooth and creamy, not grainy.

• Take a bean and break it in half with your fingers. It should be completely soft and mushy inside without any chalky white center.

• Scoop a small spoonful of beans and blow on them. Fully cooked beans will splatter easily. Undercooked beans won’t break apart.

When in doubt, taste a bean. It should be soft enough to chew easily but not mushy. Beans that are still tough or crunchy need more time. Don’t worry about overcooking – extra time simply makes beans creamier.

How to Tell if Crockpot Beans are Done Too Early

It is possible for crockpot beans to become tender before reaching the suggested cooking times. Signs beans may be done early include:

• Very old, dry beans that have lost moisture and softened faster

• More water was added than recommended

• Beans were cooked on the high temp setting

• The crockpot runs hot and cooks faster than average

• The altitude is below 3000 feet

• Using a smaller 1-2 quart slow cooker

• Natural variability in bean freshness and the crockpot model

The recipe cooking time is just a guideline. Always monitor beans and taste test for doneness during cooking. Perfectly cooked beans should be smooth, creamy and tender but still hold their shape.

What to Do if Crockpot Pinto Beans are Still Hard After 10 Hours

Sometimes even after 8-10 hours on high, crockpot beans may still be tough and crunchy. Several fixes can help finish cooking overly firm beans:

• Quick release pressure cook for 15 minutes to rapidly soften beans.

• Simmer beans on the stovetop in the bean liquid for 30-60 minutes until tender.

• Add more hot water to the crockpot and continue cooking on high for 1-3 hours.

• Transfer beans to a pot, add fresh water, and boil uncovered for 30-60 minutes.

• Drain beans and mash roughly with a potato masher to break down tougher skins.

• Mix in a teaspoon of baking soda to soften beans via chemical reaction (not recommended regularly).

Don’t worry about over-cooking the beans once they are already tender. Additional cooking time simply makes them creamier and easier to digest. Slowly cooking beans with patience results in the most tender texture.

Can You Cook Dry Pinto Beans Completely on Low?

It is possible to cook dried pinto beans entirely on the low setting in a crockpot. However, it takes significantly longer – around 10-12 hours for unsoaked beans. Soaking beans before cooking on low reduces the time down to 8-10 hours.

Beans cooked only on low heat may have a firmer texture and more intact skins than beans cooked on high. The low gentle heat prevents beans from becoming very soft and breaking down.

Cooking beans exclusively on low can be done if you have the patience and get an early start in the morning. But it’s often more convenient to use the high setting. Always check doneness and taste test beans periodically when cooking on low.

Crockpot Bean Recipes to Try

Once you’ve mastered cooking times for basic pinto beans, try out these delicious crockpot bean recipes:

• Mexican Pinto Beans – cumin, garlic, onions, jalapeño

• Pinto Beans and Ham – smoky ham hocks or bacon

• Cowboy Beans – bacon, BBQ sauce, onions, bell pepper

• Minestrone Soup – pinto beans, vegetables, pasta

• White Chicken Chili – pinto beans, green chiles, chicken

• Slow Cooker Refried Beans – mashed pinto beans with onions

The options are endless for making flavorful bean dishes in the crockpot once you know the perfect cooking time. Just adjust any recipe based on when your beans become tender. Then enjoy tasty homemade pinto beans in your favorite Tex-Mex and Latin inspired meals.

The Takeaway on Crockpot Pinto Bean Cooking Times

While an 8-10 hour high cook time is typical for pinto beans, the exact time needed can vary based on many factors. To ensure tender beans every time, always:

• Check and taste beans periodically as they cook

• Add more liquid if beans dry out and continue cooking

• Cook longer if beans are still firm or chalky inside

Mastering how long your particular beans take to become perfectly creamy and tender makes turning out great crockpot bean dishes easy. Stick to the suggested cooking guidelines, but focus on taste testing doneness along the way.