Slow Cooker Pinto Beans are simple, inexpensive and so much better than anything from a can!
Sure it’s easy to open and drain a can of beans, but did you know it’s just as easy to make them on your own? Using your slow cooker is a brilliant way to make beans that you can use in soups, chili and just about any recipe without worry about any additives or can liners leaching into your food! Plus, you can control the salt and seasonings to have beans customized to your liking. It’s easier than you think to make Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and totally worth it!
You can obviously do this with any kind of beans, but pinto beans tend to be pretty universally used in recipes and are so versatile! Plus, you could use them to make your own refried beans, which is pretty much amazing! No more checking the labels for lard and fat, you’ll have total control over what you are eating.
What to do with all these beans once you make them?
- make “healthy” refried beans by mashing
- portion and freeze to use in place of canned (measure 1 2/3 cups per bag/container)
- use right away to make soup and chili and freeze those for ready made dinners
Slow Cooker Pinto Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pinto beans
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add pinto beans to slow cooker and cover with water to at least and inch above top of beans. Cover but do not turn on slow cooker. Let soak for 8-12 hours
- Drain water and add new water plus seasonings
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours until beans reach desired tenderness
- Drain well and add additional seasonings to taste if desired
- Allow to cool completely before portioning and adding to containers or bags for storage
Nutrition
Use the beans in place of canned in these recipes:
Slow Cooker Pork Enchilada Bowls
Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl Soup
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If freezing do you keep some of the liquid that’s left over or drain?
I drain the liquid.
Tried this for the first time a few days ago! They were cooked perfectly and inexpensive to make, but I felt they were a little bland. I liked that there were no unwanted additives. Next time I will cook with fresh onion, green pepper and maybe some cilantro to kick up the flavor.
I have a ham bone i freezer. Would like to use in beans. Do I need to soak over night in water like other recipes suggests? Also, would i need to cook one pound or two with a full ham bone? Thank you
Becky
Hi Becky! That sounds like a great idea! Unfortunately, I haven’t tested it this way to be able to give you solid advice. But please let me know if you make it this way!
Why do you and so many others not specify what temperature setting the crock pot should be set to and only specify the amount of time to cook? High or low??
Perhaps you skimmed over it? Step 3 states “Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours until beans reach desired tenderness”. So, cook on low! Enjoy 🙂
First time for me….cannot rate, still cooking!
smoked turkey legs for seasoning 1 leg per lb
Thanks Jennifer! I’ve got a ton of beans to make for myself and friends. I can’t wait to give them a taste of home ?
I’ve got at least 14 bags of pinto beans ready to go! Growing up, I remember my mom made these with hunks of bacon in the pot for seasoning. Could this be used in place of adding salt? I would think it could and would bring back the flavor I grew up with. Thoughts?
yes, I think that is such a good idea!
Love it! How long would you say they keep in the fridge?
3 days in the fridge. Longer than that you can freeze them!!
So easy! Beans are so versatile!