Imagine this: creamy and flavorful pinto beans that are so delicious, they’ll make you swear off the canned kind forever. If you’re a fan of this versatile legume, then keep reading. We’ve got the secret to cooking pinto beans from scratch that will elevate your meals to a whole new level of yumminess.
What led us to this culinary revelation? Our local bar, Kite String Cantina, started delivering a box of fresh produce each week, and it included a bag of dried pinto beans. Thanks to their flavorful sauces and crisp veggies, we were inspired to perfect our own pinto beans recipe. Trust us when we say, once you try this method, there’s no going back.
How to Achieve Pinto Bean Perfection
You might be thinking that cooking pinto beans from scratch sounds like a time-consuming process, but fear not! The method is surprisingly simple and requires minimal effort. Here’s what you need to do:
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Soak the beans: Begin by placing the beans in a colander, removing any stones or debris. Rinse them thoroughly and transfer them to a large bowl. Cover the beans with 2-3 inches of water and let them soak for at least 8 hours or overnight.
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Cook the aromatics: The next day, heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Saute half an onion (you can add a jalapeno if you like it spicy!). Once the onion softens, add cumin, the soaked and drained beans, water, oregano, salt, and pepper.
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Simmer to perfection: The cooking time will vary depending on your preferences and the freshness of the beans. For a creamy texture and thickened liquid, we recommend cooking the beans until they start falling apart. Check their progress after an hour and every 15 minutes thereafter.
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Season the beans: Once the beans are cooked to your liking, it’s time to season them. Add a squeeze of lime juice, more salt and pepper, and chili powder to taste.
That’s all there is to it! Now you can enjoy these delicious pinto beans in various ways.
Serving Suggestions for Perfect Pinto Beans
When it’s time to dig in, consider garnishing your pinto beans with cilantro and red pepper flakes for an extra kick. For a complete meal, pair the beans with cilantro lime rice, tortillas, and a tantalizing vegetable side dish like fajita veggies or sautéed greens. If you want to take it up a notch, add pickled onions or pico de gallo for a burst of bright flavor, or a scoop of guacamole for some creamy indulgence.
Additionally, these pinto beans make a fantastic side dish. They’re perfect for an at-home taco bar or as an accompaniment to any of these mouthwatering Mexican-inspired recipes:
- Roasted Cauliflower Tacos
- Vegan Jackfruit Tacos
- Avocado Sweet Potato Tacos
- Homemade Taquitos
- Vegetarian Black Bean Enchiladas
- or any of the 11 Best Vegetarian Taco Recipes!
More Bean Recipes to Explore
If you’re as bean-obsessed as we are, you’ll love these other bean recipes to experiment with:
- How to Cook Black Beans
- Cannellini Beans and Greens
- How to Cook Dried Beans
- How to Cook Lentils
- Black Bean Soup
- Easy Vegetarian Chili
- Black Bean Burger
- or any of the 25 Best Bean Recipes!
So there you have it, the ultimate guide to cooking perfect pinto beans. We hope you give this recipe a try and discover the magic of homemade beans. And if you’re looking for more culinary inspiration, don’t forget to check out Ekilove for more tasty recipes and delightful food adventures. Happy cooking!
