17 Creative Ways to Use Up Leftover Pinto Beans

Pinto beans are a pantry staple in many homes. Their mild flavor and creamy texture make them a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. However, it’s not uncommon to end up with leftover cooked pinto beans after making a pot of chili or Southwestern-style rice and beans.

Instead of tossing them out or letting them go to waste in the fridge, get creative with ways to use up leftover pinto beans! With a little imagination, you can transform leftover beans into totally new meals and sides that your family will love.

Here are 17 delicious ideas for using up leftover pinto beans:

1. Pinto Bean Soup

One of the easiest ways to use leftover beans is to make a hearty bean soup. Simply sauté aromatics like onion, garlic, and celery. Then add chicken or vegetable broth, leftover pinto beans, and vegetables like carrots, zucchini, and spinach. Season with cumin, oregano, and chili powder. Finish with a squeeze of lime juice and fresh cilantro. The beans provide plenty of body, protein and fiber.

2. Bean Dip

Purée leftover beans in a food processor with olive oil, garlic, lime juice, cumin and chili powder. Thin it out with a little broth if needed. Serve with tortilla chips for an easy, no-cook bean dip that makes great snacking. Garnish with shredded cheese, salsa and cilantro.

3. Bean and Cheese Quesadillas

Warm tortillas and fill with leftover refried or mashed pinto beans, shredded cheese like cheddar or Monterey Jack, spinach or kale, and diced onions. Fold and cook in a skillet with a little oil until crispy on both sides Cut into wedges and serve with salsa, Greek yogurt and avocado slices

4. Bean Burgers

Mash your leftover beans and combine with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasonings of your choice. Form into patties and pan fry until crispy on the outside. Tuck into a whole wheat bun and top with all your favorite burger fixings like lettuce, tomato, onion and ketchup.

5. Bean Salad

Chill leftover beans and toss with chopped bell peppers, corn, cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Chill to let the flavors meld. Serve as a healthy side dish or on top of greens for an easy bean salad.

6. Breakfast Burrito

Scramble eggs and wrap up in a whole wheat tortilla with your leftover refried pinto beans cheese, salsa and sliced avocado for an easy on-the-go breakfast. The beans add fiber to help you stay full all morning long.

7. Skillet Nachos

Make homemade nachos right in a cast iron skillet. Layer broken tortilla chips with leftover refried or seasoned pinto beans, shredded cheese, salsa, avocado, jalapenos, green onion, cilantro and Greek yogurt or sour cream. Broil until bubbly and melted.

8. Baked Potato Topping

Instead of regular baked beans, use your leftover pinto beans as a protein-packed topping for baked potatoes. Season them with smoky spices like paprika, cumin and chili powder. Load them up on top of a russet potato with melted cheese, salsa, Greek yogurt and scallions.

9. White Chicken Chili

Transform your leftover beans into a hearty white chicken chili. Cook chopped chicken breasts with onions, garlic and spices. Then stir in chicken broth, leftover pinto beans, green chiles and corn. Simmer until thick and flavorful. Garnish with cilantro, lime wedges and tortilla chips.

10. Taco Filling

Put those leftover beans to work in place of ground beef as the filling for tacos, burritos or nachos. Season them with taco seasoning and sauté with onions and peppers until heated through. Stuff into warmed corn tortillas and top with all your favorite taco toppings.

11. Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes

Baked sweet potatoes make a perfect vessel for leftover pinto beans. Slit open a baked sweet potato and stuff with beans, shredded cheese, salsa, Greek yogurt, scallions, and bacon or ham. Get your protein and fiber fix all in one delicious package.

12. Bean and Veggie Fajitas

Sauté strips of bell peppers and onions in olive oil. Add fajita seasoning along with your leftover pinto beans. Cook until the veggies are tender. Serve in warm tortillas with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, lettuce, shredded cheese and lime wedges.

13. Bean and Greens Soup

Sauté onions, garlic, carrots and celery as the base for your soup. Add chicken or vegetable broth, chopped kale or collard greens, leftover pinto beans, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and Parmesan rinds for a savory, brothy soup. Garnish with shredded Parmesan cheese.

14. Southwest Stuffed Peppers

Cook some quinoa according to package directions. Mix together with leftover pinto beans, corn, red onion, chopped cilantro, fajita seasoning and cheese. Stuff the mixture into bell peppers and bake until the peppers are tender. You can also use this filling for tacos or burritos.

15. Hearty Chili

Liven up your usual chili by adding different types of beans, like pinto and kidney. Use about half kidney beans and half leftover pinto beans. Cook with ground turkey or beef, tomatoes, onions, garlic, spices and broth. The mix of beans adds nice color and flavor. Garnish with shredded cheese, Greek yogurt and scallions.

16. Mexican Crunch Wrap

Spread a layer of refried beans on a tortilla. Top with taco meat, lettuce, tomato, cheese, salsa, and avocado slices. Fold in half and crisp up in a skillet. The beans act as the “glue” to hold all the tasty fillings in place. Serve with chips, guacamole and sour cream on the side.

17. Bean and Rice Stuffed Peppers

Combine cooked rice, leftover pinto beans, corn, diced tomatoes, onion and spices like cumin and oregano. Stuff into bell pepper halves and bake until the peppers are fork-tender. Top with shredded cheese and cilantro. Enjoy as a light yet satisfying meatless main dish.

As you can see, leftover pinto beans can easily be reworked into many easy, delicious dishes. With their high fiber and protein content, beans make a budget-friendly ingredient that will help stretch your food dollars while keeping your family full and satisfied.

Next time you have leftover pinto beans, give some of these tasty ideas a try. You may just find that beans become a weekly staple rather than just an occasional pot of chili. Get creative with leftovers and enjoy nutritious, homemade meals without waste.