No can of beans could ever compare to this Crock Pot Pinto Beans recipe! I've been serving these pintos to crowds for years, and the people always rave about how delicious they are. They are shocked to find out just how easy they are to make!
Savory, saucy, and a tad bit zesty, these pinto beans in a crockpot deliver a Western flavor profile similar to chili with the creamiest texture. They are an ideal side for any game day, BBQ, or potluck; however, dinner time screams their name, too! If you love crock pot recipes, check out our crock pot green beans too.
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Why This Recipe Works
If you've ever been intimidated by cooking dried beans in a slow cooker, now's the time to stop. This recipe is so simple and doesn't even require a soaking period.
The bacon/spice-blend combo sets these beans apart and keeps our guests coming back for more. They're just as delicious leftover, and there are so many ways to enjoy them.
You can enjoy them as is--a great big bowl of comfort--or as the perfect potluck or game day side. They feed a crowd, are easy to store and reheat, and pair with many tons of main dishes.
Enjoy them in, over, or on the side of many Mexican dishes! Below, we've listed over 14 ways for you to enjoy them, but the sky's the limit when it comes to this versatile bean recipe.
Do You Have to Soak Pinto Beans Before Cooking?
The necessity of soaking the beans before they're added to the cooking vessel depends on the cooking vessel. An article from the L.A. Times backs up this finding, declaring that the only thing soaking them does for your recipe is shorten the cooking time.
So, in the case of crock-pot beans, there's no soak required because of the extended cook time. However, if you wanted to cook them in just 3 hours' time, you indeed need to soak them beforehand.
Best Seasoning for Pinto Beans
This dish has a bit of a Mexican flare, similar to our homemade charro beans. This pinto bean recipe most definitely favors the flavors of Ranch-Style Beans found amongst Texas grocery shelves, only way better.
For the seasoning, you need chili powder, Kosher salt, black pepper, and cumin. If you do not have Kosher salt, you'll need to adjust the quantity and rather, add the salt to taste.
How to Cook Pinto Beans in the Crock Pot
For this crockpot pinto bean recipe, you need a 6-quart slow cooker. If you want to double the recipe, you'll need a larger slow cooker. The ratio of beans to water depends on the cooking method but typically ranges from around 1 pound of beans to 4-6 cups of water. However, if you are doubling a recipe, this ratio may no longer apply.
It is important to keep in mind that the beans should be covered by water as they are cooking, so if you see the top of your beans is bare, just add a splash of water or two until they're submerged once again.
Sort Beans | Sort through the dried beans and discard of any rocks or pebble fragments, and rinse in a colander under running water.
Add Everything to the Crock-Pot | Add the dried beans, onion, chili powder, salt, pepper, and cumin. Stir and cover with 5 cups of water.
Slow Cook the Beans | Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 5-6 hours. Note: how long it takes to cook will depend on freshness of beans. It can take up to 8 hours.
Serve and enjoy!
Storing Leftover Pinto Beans
Keep and enjoy leftovers from the fridge for up to 3-5 days. You can also allow them to cool and transfer to a freezer-safe quart-size bag and freeze for 2-3 months.
We recommend freezing in 1-2 cup servings; one can of beans is about 1-¾ cup. These crock pot pinto beans can certainly be subbed for just about any recipe calling for canned pintos!
Delicious Ways to Eat Pinto Beans
As Comfort Food | The most obvious way to enjoy these slow cooker pinto beans is in a bowl with a big slice of cornbread on the side. You can add it to chili (and completely undo a proper Texas chili) or, better yet and very Texan of you, add it to a Frito pie!
With Mexican Food | We love Tex-Mex recipes! Enjoy pinto beans over chicken nachos or taco salad or on the side of tacos de Camaron. They work great inside a steak burrito or paired with beef enchiladas and Mexican chicken casserole.
Make Refried Beans | You can also make refried beans by mashing with a potato masher. The beans will mash easier if you remove the liquid before mashing. Remove and reserve the liquid, mash the beans, and then stir in the cooking liquid a little at a time until you've reached the desired consistency.
Game Day Addition | This dish is great as a game day or BBQ dish to claim a spot in this lineup: bacon-wrapped armadillo eggs, slow cooker pulled pork, twice baked mashed potatoes, and shells and cheese.
5 More Crock-Pot Recipes You'll Love
- Slow-Cooker Spare Ribs
- Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos
- Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker
- Rotel Dip with Taco Meat
- Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes
Crock-Pot Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pinto beans
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt (Kosher salt ONLY)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 6 cups water
Instructions
- Sort through the dried beans and discard of any rocks or pebble fragments, rinse and transfer to the slow cooker.
- Add the bacon, onion, chili powder, salt, pepper, and cumin. Stir and cover with 6 cups of water.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 5-6 hours. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Sources
"Don't soak your dried beans! Now even the cool kids agree" - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
Cindy Gordon says
Always looking for amazing crock pot recipes and this one fits the bill! Perfect!
Emily says
These beans are so easy to make! Thanks for posting this recipe.
boastfulfood says
You had me at bacon and beans:) Great summer recipe to go with all those great bbq's.
Thanks for sharing.
Krissy Allori says
These will make my family happy at the next family reunion.
Roxana says
Such a quick and easy recipe. Beans cook so well in a slow cooker. And I like the spices used here.
Cindy Gordon says
Always on the hunt for new crockpot recipes and this one is a winner! So easy and so delicious, even without the bacon!
Cathy says
I'm so ready to make these today! These look so delicious, creamy and so inviting! Yes! Making these today!
Toni says
This was a huge hit at my house!
Traci says
I'm loving the savory comfort food vibes in this recipe! The everyday ingredients keep it simple and affordable. Thanks for sharing!
Jeanne says
Instructions do not say what to do with the bacon.
Kelly Anthony says
Hi Jeanne! The bacon goes in with the onions and other ingredients. Happy cooking!
Carol says
Is the bacon cooked prior or uncooked placed in crock pot?
Kelly Anthony says
Uncooked 🙂
Petra says
cooked or uncooked bacon?
Kelly Anthony says
Uncooked 🙂 It will cook in the crockpot!
K says
The point of soaking the beans is not for reducing cooking time. It is so that they don’t make you gassy!
Catherine says
Love this from-scratch recipe! It looks and sounds so good..great idea to make them in the crockpot!
Taylor Kiser says
So easy to make in the crock pot! Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!
Tara says
Yum! These beans sound incredible with those spices and the bacon. Such a great crock pot recipe.
Maike says
My husband and I loved this recipe and I can't wait to make it for us again. The flavors are so good. Perfect crock pot recipe.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I am ashamed to say i have never made beans in my slow cooker. You have inspired me to give it a go. What have I bean waiting for?
Liz says
Ooh so cozy and easy!
Charla says
I used to cook my beans on the stovtop but since testing them in my slow cooker I have never looked back. I need to try this recipe very soon.
Tristin Rieken says
Great tip on how much water to add. I always double recipes and have a hard time with adjusting the servings of bean recipes.Thanks!
Sisley White says
Brilliant easy and now a family favourite. What a great way to cook beans.
Jovita says
Oh my, these beans look absolutely mouth-watering! And so easy to make. Definitely making them soon, thank you!
A says
So I cook bacon. Or does it go in raw?
Kelly Anthony says
There is no need to cook the bacon first 🙂 It will cook to a safe temperature in the crock-pot!
Tim says
Would it be ok to replace the water with a broth of some kind or, maybe a broth/water mix?
Kelly Anthony says
Absolutely!