Description
Hearty Pioneer Woman pinto beans simmer with smoky bacon and rich spices in this classic slow cooker recipe. Southern comfort fills bowls with tender legumes and deep, rustic flavors you will savor until the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) dry pinto beans
- 3 cups (710 ml) water
- 4 cups (946 ml) low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped into ¼-inch dice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/8 to ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- fresh parsley (optional)
- diced tomatoes (optional)
- diced red onion (optional)
- diced green pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously inspect pinto beans, removing any discolored kernels, and rinse thoroughly under cold water in a colander.
- Sautéing Aromatics: In a skillet over medium-high heat, caramelize onions, jalapeños, and garlic with olive oil until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, releasing their essential flavors.
- Seasoning Blend: Transfer sautéed mixture to slow cooker, incorporating bay leaves, cumin, oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper to create a robust flavor profile.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken or vegetable broth and water into slow cooker, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed and fully submerged.
- Slow Cooking Process: Cover and set slow cooker to HIGH, allowing beans to simmer and tenderize over 8-10 hours, periodically monitoring liquid levels and gently stirring to prevent sticking.
- Finishing Touches: Remove bay leaves and decide between a brothy or drained consistency; for refried-style, reserve 1 cup cooking liquid, drain remaining liquid, and mash beans to desired creaminess.
- Serving Presentation: Garnish with fresh parsley, diced tomatoes, red onions, and green bell peppers, serving warm to highlight the beans’ rich, developed flavors.
Notes
- Prep Beans Thoroughly: Inspect and rinse beans meticulously to remove any debris or damaged kernels, ensuring a clean and high-quality base for your dish.
- Sauté Vegetables First: Caramelize onions and jalapeños before adding to slow cooker to enhance depth of flavor and release aromatic compounds.
- Monitor Liquid Levels: Check broth and water contents periodically during cooking to prevent beans from drying out and maintain ideal moisture.
- Customize Texture: Adjust bean consistency by mashing or keeping whole, with option to create refried-style texture by reserving and reintroducing cooking liquid.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg