5 from 381 votes
THE BEST Pinto Beans Recipe
THE BEST Pinto Beans Recipe uses soaked pinto beans cooked slowly with onion, garlic, bay leaves, and olive oil until tender. The beans take on savory, subtle herbal notes and develop creamy texture, enhanced with kosher salt for seasoning. This method yields flavorful beans suitable as a side or base for many dishes.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs
Additional Time
8 hrs
Total Time
10 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
8
Calories:
281 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 pound pinto beans rinsed in a colander, dried
- 4-6 cups water
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ yellow onion , chopped
- 4 cloves garlic , peeled and smashed
- 2 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
Instructions
Soak the Beans
- Add the pinto beans to a large bowl and cover with 2-3 inches of cold water. Soak the beans on the counter overnight or for 8-24 hours.
Cup of Yum
Cook the Beans
- Drain and rinse the beans then add to a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Cover with 4-6 cups of cold water or so they're covered by about 3 inches. Add the chopped onion, smashed garlic, and bay leaves then drizzle with the olive oil. Season with kosher salt. Bring the beans to a boil. Skim off the foam that forms and discard. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook at a gentle simmer, uncovered, for about 2 hours or until tender, cooking longer if needed. Add more water if needed to keep the beans submerged.
- Once the beans are cooked to your desired tenderness, remove them from the heat and discard bay leaves. Taste for seasoning and add more salt if needed. Serve immediately or at room temperature, and refrigerate the leftover beans in their cooking liquid for up to 1-2 weeks.
Notes
- For stronger flavor, replace part of the cooking water with 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth.
- If preferred, use a quartered onion instead of chopped and remove it after cooking to reduce texture.
- Store cooked beans in their cooking liquid in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks to keep them moist and flavorful.
Nutrition Information
Calories
281kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
37g
(12%)
Protein
12g
(24%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Sodium
885mg
(37%)
Potassium
806mg
(17%)
Fiber
9g
(36%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
2IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
5mg
(6%)
Calcium
73mg
(7%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 281
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 281kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Sodium | 885mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 806mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 9g | 36% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 2IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 73mg | 7% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.