Perfect choice! 🫘✨ Pinto beans are hearty, budget-friendly, and full of flavor — whether you serve them as a side dish, in burritos, or as a main meal with cornbread. Below is a simple and classic Southern-style pinto bean recipe (you can adapt it for stovetop, slow cooker, or Instant Pot).
🫘 Classic Pinto Beans (Southern-Style or Mexican-Inspired)
🛒 Ingredients:
-
1 lb (2 cups) dried pinto beans, rinsed and sorted
-
6 cups water or broth (chicken or vegetable)
-
1 medium onion, chopped
-
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 bay leaf (optional)
-
1 tsp salt (add toward the end of cooking)
-
½ tsp black pepper
-
Optional extras for flavor:
-
1 ham hock, smoked turkey leg, or 4 slices bacon
-
1 tsp chili powder or cumin (for a Southwestern twist)
-
1 small jalapeño or green chili, chopped
-
1 tsp paprika or smoked paprika
-
👩🍳 Instructions (Stovetop Method):
1. Soak the Beans (Optional but Recommended):
-
Cover beans with 2–3 inches of water and let soak overnight (6–8 hours).
-
Drain and rinse before cooking.
(Or do a quick soak: bring beans and water to a boil for 5 minutes, then turn off heat and let sit 1 hour.)
2. Cook the Beans:
-
In a large pot, combine soaked beans, broth/water, onion, garlic, bay leaf, and optional smoked meat.
-
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 1½–2½ hours, stirring occasionally.
-
Add more water if needed to keep beans covered.
-
When beans are tender, stir in salt, pepper, and any other seasonings to taste.
3. Finish & Serve:
-
Remove bay leaf and bones/meat if using.
-
For creamier beans, mash a few against the side of the pot and stir.
-
Serve with cornbread, rice, or as a side to BBQ, tacos, or fried chicken.
⚡ Instant Pot Method:
-
No soaking needed.
-
Add all ingredients (except salt) to the Instant Pot.
-
Pressure cook on High for 35–40 minutes, natural release for 15 minutes.
-
Stir in salt after cooking.
🍽️ Serving Ideas:
-
Southern-style: Serve with cornbread, collard greens, and hot sauce.
-
Tex-Mex style: Add cumin, chili powder, and serve with tortillas, cheese, and avocado.
-
Refried beans: Mash cooked beans in a skillet with a little oil or butter and season to taste.
Would you like me to give you a recipe for pinto beans and ham hocks, or a refried pinto beans version next?
