How Long to Cook Soaked Pinto Beans to Perfection

Last week, I told Jack, “I’ll never buy pinto beans in a can again!” as I ate spoonful after spoonful of them straight from the pot on the stove. Maybe I was exaggerating—after all, canned beans are very handy—but I won’t reach for them as often as I used to. There’s one thing I’ve learned in the past year: always make pinto beans from scratch. They will be creamier and taste better.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m arriving late to the dried beans party. A few years back, I did try cooking them, but without much luck. I now know that the beans I had were too old and dried out to soften properly (note: fresher beans are better; look for yours at a store with a lot of customers coming in and out!) But at the time, I decided that cooking dried beans just wasn’t for me.

What won me over? Our neighborhood bar, Kite String Cantina, started offering a weekly box of local foods. We started getting a bag of dried beans every week along with Chef Renee’s SUPER tasty sauces and fresh vegetables.

So over the last few months, I’ve perfected my method for how to cook pinto beans from scratch. This pinto beans recipe is amazingly simple, and it’s delicious, too. The beans are lightly spicy, aromatic, and irresistibly creamy. Try it once, and you’ll never want to eat pinto beans any other way.

Pinto beans are a pantry staple prized for their creamy texture and sweet earthy flavor. Their versatility makes them ideal for tacos burritos, soups, dips and more. While delicious, raw dried pinto beans can take hours to soften when cooking. Soaking pinto beans before cooking significantly reduces cook time while also enhancing texture. But exactly how long should you cook previously soaked pinto beans? This guide has all the details on cooking soaked pintos to tender perfection.

Why Soak Pinto Beans?

Soaking pinto beans before cooking provides several advantages:

Shortens cooking time – Beans can cook up to 50% faster after soaking.
More even cooking – Soaking ensures the inside and outside cook at the same rate
Better texture – Properly hydrated beans become soft and creamy, not tough.
Improves digestibility – Soaking helps break down indigestible sugars that cause gas.
Nutrient absorption – Soaking can enhance availability of certain nutrients.
Easier preparation – No worrying about remembering to soak once beans are cooked.

Most recipes recommend soaking pinto beans, and for good reason. Just 6-8 hours of soaking can make a big difference in your finished beans.

How Long to Soak Pinto Beans

For best results, pinto beans should soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. The steps are simple:

Rinse beans and pick through for any debris. Discard any beans that look damaged.
Place beans in a large container and cover with cold water by 2-3 inches.
Allow beans to soak for a minimum of 8 hours, or up to 12 hours for larger beans.
Drain the soaking water and rinse beans before cooking.

Soaking times can vary from 8-12 hours. Avoid soaking longer than 12 hours, as beans can begin fermenting. Stick to 8-12 hours for perfectly hydrated beans ready for cooking.

Cooking Time for Soaked Pinto Beans

Once soaked, pinto beans take much less time to become tender. Here are general guidelines:

Soaked pinto beans take 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours to cook.
Start checking beans at 45 minutes for desired tenderness.
Beans at higher elevations may take slightly longer.
Older, dried out beans also may require more time.
Cook soaked beans until just tender, not falling apart mushy.
Add any salt, acids or seasonings after beans have fully cooked.

The cooking time can vary based on the size and age of the beans. But with soaked pintos, you can expect a cooking time of under 1 1/2 hours in most cases.

Monitor beans closely as they near the 45 minute mark. They can go from perfectly tender to overcooked quickly.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps for tender soaked pinto beans:

Pick over and rinse 1 pound pinto beans.
Place beans in a large bowl and cover with cold water by 2-3 inches.
Allow beans to soak for 8-12 hours or overnight.
Drain beans and rinse well. Discard soaking water.
Place beans in a pot and cover with fresh water by 2-3 inches.
Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer.
Cook beans at a gentle simmer for 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours.
Check beans for tenderness starting at 45 minutes. Cook just until tender.
Drain beans and season or use in recipes as desired.

And that’s it! Perfectly cooked pinto beans from start to finish.

Helpful Tips

Follow these tips for best results:

Stir beans occasionally to cook evenly.
Add more boiling water if beans dry out while cooking.
Salt can toughen beans outer skin. Add after beans are cooked.
Acidic ingredients like tomatoes also should wait until after cooking.
Onions, garlic, and herbs can be simmered with beans for flavor.
Undercook slightly rather than overcook for best bean texture.

With a little practice, you’ll get the hang of determining that ideal tender yet still intact texture pinto beans should have.

How to Tell When Beans Are Done

Here are some ways to assess when your soaked pinto beans are fully cooked:

Beans should be heated through but still hold their shape, not falling apart.
The inside and outside of beans should be equally tender.
Beans should be easily crushed between fingers but not mushy.
A bean should not have any hard, crunchy, or raw areas.
The skins should not seem overly tough or rubbery.
Cut a bean open to check the inside is soft without a starchy, undercooked center.

Taste testing is also an accurate way to determine doneness. Beans are ready when tender yet pleasantly firm.

What If I Forgot to Soak the Beans?

We’ve all been there – you intended to soak beans but it slipped your mind. No need to despair, you have options:

Use the quick soak method – Bring beans and water to a boil, remove from heat and soak 1 hour.
Cook in a pressure cooker – Forgo soaking and cook beans in 15-30 minutes.
Simmer unsoaked beans for 2 to 3 hours until tender. Check often.
Switch to canned beans as a substitute in recipes.

Soaking is ideal for tender beans, but unsoaked beans just need additional simmering time. With some flexibility, your forgotten beans can still shine.

Storing Cooked Pinto Beans

Once cooked, here are some storage guidelines:

Store beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
Add fresh water to cover beans to keep them moist.
Freeze cooked beans up to 6 months for longer storage.
Portion beans into usable amounts before freezing for easy thawing.

Follow these tips to enjoy delicious pinto beans all week long after cooking a big batch.

Time Saving Tips

Here are some shortcuts for even quicker bean prep:

Use a pressure cooker to cook unsoaked beans in 30-40 minutes.
Soak beans in the morning before work and they’re ready to cook when you get home.
Cook a big batch of beans on your day off and freeze leftovers in portions.

When you don’t have time for traditional soaking and simmering, these tricks help you get tasty pinto beans on the table fast.

Enjoy the Benefits of Soaked Pintos

Soaking pinto beans ahead cuts down substantially on cook time while also boosting texture and digestibility. Simmer soaked pintos for 45 minutes up to 1 1⁄2 hours and you’ll have tender, creamy beans ready for your favorite recipes. Experiment with flavor additions and use these cooking tips for perfect soaked pinto beans every time!

how long to cook soaked pinto beans

Pinto Beans Serving Suggestions

This pinto beans recipe is also a fantastic side dish. Serve it as part of an at-home taco bar or with any of these Mexican-inspired recipes:

How to Cook Pinto Beans

While this way of cooking pinto beans from scratch does take some time, don’t let that bother you! It’s really easy and you don’t even have to touch the beans during the process. Here’s how it goes:

First, soak the beans. Sift them through a large colander to get rid of any stones or other things that might be in them. Rinse them well and transfer them to a large bowl. Put them somewhere with two to three inches of water over them and let them soak for at least eight hours, or overnight.
The next day, cook the aromatics. Heat up a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-low. Add half an onion and cook it. If you like your beans spicy, add a jalapeño. When the onion starts to get soft, add the cumin, water, oregano, salt, pepper, and soaked and drained beans.
Then, simmer. The time will depend on how fresh your beans are and how you like them cooked. I cook my pinto beans until they are soft and the liquid around them gets thick. After an hour, I check again, and then every 15 minutes after that.
Finally, season to taste. Add more salt, pepper, and chili powder to taste after the beans are cooked the way you like them.

That’s it! Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Cook Dried Beans – The Right Way – For Maximum Nutrition

FAQ

How long do you cook pinto beans after soaking?

Also, the longer your beans have had to soak, the more quickly they will cook. Once soaked for 6-8 hours, we find that pinto beans require about 40-50 minutes at a simmer to fully cook. If you are looking to speed up the cooking time, you can use an Instant Pot to prepare this recipe.

Do soaked beans take less time to cook?

Here’s the thing: Beans that have not been soaked ahead of time will always take longer to cook, but they will, indeed, cook. But timing aside, sometimes we actually like to cook beans straight from dry, as is the case with this easy black bean soup recipe.

How long to slow cook beans after soaking?

Place soaked beans in crock pot. Add any seasonings: salt and pepper, garlic, jalapenos, onions (to taste). Cover with water by about 2 inches. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 6 hours.

How do you take the gas out of pinto beans?

When soaking dry beans before cooking, change the water several times. The gas-producing fibers are released into the soaking water, and discarding it removes some of these compounds. Rinse canned beans without sauce before eating or using in recipes. (Rinsing also reduces the sodium content of canned beans.)

How long should you soak pinto beans?

Ideally, soak pinto beans overnight, or for about 8 hours. This step reduces cooking time and makes them easier to digest. What’s the best way to cook soaked pinto beans? After soaking, drain and rinse your beans. Then, in a large pot, cover them with fresh water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until tender.

Are pinto beans healthy?

Pinto beans are extremely nutritious. They are primarily composed of carbohydrates, protein and fiber. In particular, they boast plenty of thiamine, iron, magnesium and phosphorus. Antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavonoids are present in pinto beans which protect the cells against damage free radicles. Kaempferol present in pinto beans may provide anticancer benefits.

How do you cook pinto beans?

Learn how to cook pinto beans using the stovetop simmering method. Perfect for making refried beans, or chilis, soups, and stews. Pick over and discard any broken dried beans. Add them to a colander and rinse with cold water for 1 to 2 minutes. Overnight: Add beans, salt, and water to a large bowl.

Can you cook pinto beans without soaking?

Yes, you can cook unsoaked pinto beans, but they will require a significantly longer cooking time. Expect them to take around 2 to 3 hours or even longer to become tender. Can I soak pinto beans for too long? Yes, if you soak pinto beans for too long, they may become waterlogged and start to germinate. This can affect their texture and flavor.