How Can I Thicken Pinto Beans Without Using Cornstarch?

If there is a nip in the air, here in South Carolina. I think that it’s a sign from God, for me to make pinto beans. There is nothing like a big pot of hearty and meaty beans. Jennifer, calls me country because I just love to eat beans. I can’t help it, I’m a true Southerner. Since the weather is slowly changing, I decided to cook a pot of pinto beans.

I try to keep dried beans in the house all the time. I think it’s a Southern thing. I had some ham in the freezer and this made me extremely happy. So let’s get cooking y’all!.

Pinto beans are a versatile legume that can be used in soups stews, dips and more. Their creamy texture and mild flavor make them a favorite in many dishes. However, sometimes pinto bean broth can turn out too thin. While cornstarch is a common thickener, there are plenty of other options for thickening pinto beans naturally without compromising taste or nutrition.

Blending Cooked Beans

One of the easiest ways to thicken pinto beans is by blending some of the cooked beans Using a stick blender, food processor, or regular blender, puree a portion of the beans with some of the cooking liquid This will create a thick paste that can be stirred back into the pot to thicken the remaining beans and broth.

The starch released from the bean cell walls acts as a natural thickener. For even more thickness, return the blended bean puree to a simmer for 5-10 minutes to allow the starches to fully thicken the surrounding broth.

Mashing Some Beans

Similarly, you can use a potato masher or fork to mash a portion of the cooked pinto beans before mixing them back into the pot. Mashing beans releases starch to thicken liquid while still providing some bean texture.

For a rustic bean soup or stew, mashing is a quick and easy way to reach the desired consistency without the need for cornstarch or other thickeners. Adjust the amount of mashed beans to reach your ideal thickness.

Adding Potato or Other Starchy Veggies

Another strategy is to add starchy vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, parsnips, or carrots. Cook them until very soft, then mash or puree them into the bean broth.

The starches released will act as a natural thickener. Potatoes in particular can transform a thin pinto bean broth into a thick, creamy soup base.

Using Legume-Friendly Thickeners

For gluten-free thickening options, try arrowroot powder, tapioca flour, or potato starch. Create a slurry with the starch and cold water before stirring into simmering beans. This prevents clumping. Xanthan gum will also add thickness without altering bean flavor.

For a traditional roux-style thickener, combine butter or oil with rice flour or chickpea flour. Cook into a smooth paste then incorporate into beans.

Grains Add Body

Cooking beans with grains like rice, barley, or quinoa can create a thick, hearty stew. The starch from the grains thickens the surrounding broth. Cook the grain separately until very soft before adding to the beans.

Pureeing Vegetables

For a nutrition boost, puree fiber-rich vegetables to blend into the beans. Carrots, tomatoes, pumpkin, or red peppers can create a vibrant puree when blended. Cook vegetables until very soft first to achieve the thickest consistency after blending.

Slow Simmering

Allowing pinto bean broth to simmer uncovered for an extended time will gradually reduce and thicken it through evaporation. While slow, this simple technique avoids adding unnecessary ingredients. Stir occasionally and add more water as needed to prevent burning.

Adding Healthy Fats

Stirring in healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, or coconut milk can also lend a thicker, richer mouthfeel. The healthy fats coat the beans and help retain moisture for a creamier texture.

With a little creativity, you can easily thicken up pinto beans without having to resort to cornstarch. Natural thickeners like blended beans, starchy vegetables, and pureed produce maintain the bean’s flavor and nutrition profile. Or use gluten-free starches and simmering to reach the perfect thickness. With these simple tricks, you can forget cornstarch and enjoy rich, thick pinto bean dishes.

how can i thicken pinto beans without cornstarch

Cooking the Pinto Beans

Since, I’m making a large pot of beans I’m going to need about 8-10 cups of water. You’ll want to make sure that your beans are completely covered with water.

Then, I’m going to add my beans to the water.

Then, bring the beans to a boil take them off the heat. Allow them to sit for about an hour.

When they have finished sitting, you will drain them again.

Drain and rinse your beans in your colander.

How to Prepare Pinto Beans for Cooking

First, I’m going to open my beans and pour them into a colander.

Once, my beans are in the colander, I’m going to rinse them to remove any foreign items…lol.

Perfectly Thickened crock pot Beans!

FAQ

How do you thicken up pinto beans?

If your beans are still too watery after prolonged cooking and mashing, consider adding a thickener like cornstarch, all-purpose flour, or arrowroot. To do this, first, make a slurry of equal parts thickener and water, then slowly add it to your refried beans. They should thicken considerably.

How to thicken cowboy beans?

To thicken your cowboy beans, use the same staples you would to thicken a sauce. The easiest way is to use a cornstarch slurry: Simply stir together 1 to 2 tablespoons cornstarch with equal parts water, and whisk until smooth. Whisk or stir that into your cooked bean mixture until it’s well incorporated.

How to thicken crockpot beans?

Cornstarch, potato starch, and chickpea flour are a couple of pantry-friendly ways to thicken soups, stews, and sauces in the slow cooker. Just a tablespoon or two of any — added towards the end of cooking — will thicken sauces especially well.

How to thicken red beans without cornstarch?

All-purpose flour: You can thicken sauces with all-purpose wheat flour. For every tablespoon of cornstarch, use three tablespoons of flour. Combine raw flour with cold water in a small bowl to form a paste, then add it into the sauce as it’s simmering. Cooking the flour in the sauce will remove the flour taste.

How do you thicken pinto beans?

Use a small whisk or fork to thoroughly mix the cold water and cornstarch into a slurry with no clumps. Add the slurry to the beans and let them continue to simmer while stirring occasionally. The cooking liquid for the beans will start to thicken in a matter of minutes. Simmer the pinto beans to your desired consistency.

How do you thicken beans without flour?

The starch in the beans will act as a natural thickener. Make a slurry of 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water. Whisk [paid link] the cornstarch so that it’s smooth and then stir it into the beans. The heat in the pot will thicken the cornstarch. This is a great gluten-free alternative to flour.

How do you thicken beans with cornstarch?

You can also always go back to the old tried-and-true way of thickening anything: with cornstarch. By making, then adding a cornstarch slurry to your beans, they will become thicker as they simmer a little longer. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch into 1/4 cup of cold water. Whisk the cornstarch thoroughly to ensure no lumps exist.

How do you thicken beans?

There’s more than one way to thicken beans. For example, a slurry of cornstarch and water works well when cooked into the beans. Adding tomato paste, ketchup, or instant potato puree can also help thicken and reduce the liquid. If you want to avoid any additives, you can puree some of the beans to thicken the dish.