Name: Crock Pot Pinto Beans Two Ways
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 h
Total time: 8 h 10 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound dry pinto beans; 7 cups water; 2 teaspoons salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon salt and pepper, to taste

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Crock pot pinto beans is an easy and healthy way to cook pinto beans in the crock pot. Leave beans whole or make refried beans with two ways to make these crock pot beans.

close up view of cooked beans. — How to cook beans in the Crock Pot

Love these beans? Try my Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Stock and my Slow Cooker Chicken Stew for more delicious slow cooker recipes!

There are several different techniques to cooking dried beans, including soaking them overnight. These pinto beans are a perfect addition to a family dinner.

Cooking beans in the crock pot eliminates the extra step of having to soak them overnight, which makes them nearly maintenance free to cook this way.

What Are Pinto Beans?

They are a small dried legume. Pinto beans are called frijol pinto in Spanish, which translates to “speckled beans.” Beans are also popular in Mexican-style dishes and are a great substitute for meat.

A nutrient-dense legume, the pinto bean contains many essential nutrients. It is a good source of protein, phosphorus and manganese, and very high in dietary fiber and folate.

pinto beans on a plate. — Easy slow cooker pinto beans

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Slow cooker does most of the work.
No need to presoak the beans.
Perfect for meatless meals.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Dry Pinto Beans
Water
Salt
Black Pepper
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Salt and Pepper

How To Make This Recipe

four image process making crock pot pinto beans. — Crock Pot pinto beans process

Step 1:

Place the beans, water, salt, and black pepper into the crock pot and stir.

Step 2:

Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours, until the beans are tender but not falling apart.

Step 3:

When the beans are done cooking, use a slotted spoon to remove beans from crock pot.

Step 4:

Add the garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper, to taste. Stir gently.

top view of pinto peans on a plate. — Crock Pot pinto beans that don’t need to be soaked before cooking

If making refried beans, take the amount of beans you want to mash and place in a large bowl. As you mash the beans with a fork or potato masher, add a little of the water from the crock pot to the beans, adding water slowly to get the consistency you like.

They are seasoned without any added fats for healthier refried beans.

How Do I Store Cooked Pinto Beans?

Place the cooled beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Yield: 12 Servings

Crock Pot Pinto Beans Two Ways

Crock pot pinto beans is an easy and healthy way to cook pinto beans in the crock pot. Leave beans whole or make refried beans with two ways to make these crock pot beans.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 8 hours

Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound dry pinto beans
7 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Place the beans, water, salt, and black pepper into the slow cooker and stir.
Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours, until the beans are tender but not falling apart.
Use a slotted spoon to remove beans from crockpot. Then add the garlic powder, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir gently.
If making refried beans, take the amount of beans you want to mash and place in a large bowl. As you mash the beans with a fork or potato masher, add a little of the water from the crockpot to the beans, adding water slowly to get the consistency you like.