Crock Pot Pinto Beans

It is just so easy to let my slow cooker do all the heavy lifting for this pinto beans recipe. These pinto beans and their liquid take on the flavor of the onions, garlic, jalapeños, and spices, which they are cooked over several hours. Then, I freeze them in one-cup and half-cup portions using these Prep work Freezer Pods so that I have them for quick meals.

dried beans are healthier, more economical, and environmentally friendly

I have been buying dried beans in bulk for many years. Not only are they much more economical, but I am all about eliminating additives and preservatives from our diet. In addition, buying dried beans in bulk means less waste in our landfills.

do pinto beans have to be soaked before cooking in a crock pot?

There was a time when I was all in on soaking my beans before cooking them. But, I’ve slowly realized that that is not always necessary, especially with thin-skinned beans like dry pinto beans, black beans, black-eyed peas, and Great Northern beans. All this to say, there is no reason to soak pinto beans for this simple recipe.

BUT…and this is an important ‘BUT’…this is not a universal rule for all dried beans. Kidney Beans, White Kidney Beans, and Broad Beans contain a toxin called…are you ready?… Phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). While it is a toxin, I couldn’t find evidence of actual death in humans but vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pains. So, after soaking your kidney and broad beans, boil them in fresh water for at least 30 minutes. Typically, the toxin is destroyed when boiled at 200ºF for 10 minutes, but scientists recommend 30 minutes to ensure the beans reach the proper temperature for the requisite time.

Other means of cooking reach this 200° quickly enough to destroy the PHA, but the nature of crock pots and slow cookers is that they don’t. No need to panic; know that with Kidney Beans, White Kidney Beans (Cannellini Beans), and Broad Beans, you need to boil them for 10 minutes before you add them to your slow cooker. Knowledge is Power!

But, if you do want to soak your pinto beans before you toss them into the crock pot for this recipe, I’ve got you covered. Check out the chart below, under the instant pot and stovetop heading.

how long does it take to cook unsoaked pinto beans in a slow cooker

If you need them quickly, typically, these unsoaked pinto beans in a slow cooker will be done in five-ish hours if cooked on high. But if you need to make them earlier in the day, set them on low for seven to eight hours.

But there is one big caveat to this general rule of thumb! Well, actually two caveats.

1. The age of your beans. If they have been sitting around for a while, your beans may be drier than the average bean and, thus, need to cook a bit longer to refresh. It is worth noting that really old and dry beans may never fully rehydrate.
2. Your crockpot or slow cooker. I have two crockpots; one has three settings (warm, low, and high). I’ve never used the high because it actually boils on warm! My other crockpot seems to be better calibrated. All this to say, you know if your crock pot runs hot or cool, so take that into consideration.

what if you know your pinto beans are little old

If I know my beans are pushing a year or more, I will help them out a bit by giving them a good soak. I will use 8 cups of water and 1 1/2 tablespoons salt per pound of dry beans and let them soak overnight or a minimum of eight hours.

how to cook these pinto beans in an instant pot or on the stovetop

While four hours is pretty quick for slow cooking, sometimes you need your pinto beans NOW! Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

You can make these pinto beans in the instant pot or on the stove top by following this chart, which also takes into consideration whether or not you soak your beans! So many options!

how can you tell when your crock pot pinto beans are done?

I’ve referred to the Tamar Adler book, An Everlasting Meal, before. It’s one of those books I like to re-read from time to time for inspiration. Here’s her guidance on testing the doneness of beans:

Beans are done when they are velvety to their absolute middles. You should feel, as soon as you taste one, as though you want to eat another. The whole pot is only ready when five beans meet that description. If one doesn’t, let the beans keep cooking…Tamar Adler

I use the chicken broth I can in this recipe. You can see that recipe and how to can chicken broth and other broths and stocks here.

substitution and addition suggestions

• Add a ham hock while cooking for a smokier flavor.
• Saute the onions, jalapeño, and garlic in three slices of chopped bacon
• Cook using vegetable broth to make these beans vegetarian.
• Diced Tomato
• Top with cilantro, scallions, and or queso fresco

for more easy slow cooker recipes

how to store your pinto beans

I make a big pot of these slow cooker pinto beans and freeze them in one-cup and half-cup portions using these Prepwork Freezer Pods to have them for quick meals. They keep well for six to eight months in the freezer and three to four days in the refrigerator.