Here are three great pinto bean recipes — a classic stovetop Southern-style pot of beans, a quick Mexican-style version, and a slow-cooker option. Choose your vibe!

🫘 1. Classic Southern Pinto Beans (Stovetop)

Creamy, savory, simple — perfect with cornbread.

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried pinto beans, rinsed
• 6 cups water or broth
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ham hock, bacon, or smoked turkey (optional but traditional)
• 1 tsp salt (add later)
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp chili powder or paprika
• ½ tsp cumin (optional)
• 1–2 bay leaves

Instructions

1. Soak beans (optional but recommended):
   Cover beans with water and soak 4–8 hours. Drain.
2. In a large pot, add beans, broth/water, onion, garlic, meat, and spices except salt.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
4. Cook 1.5–2.5 hours, stirring occasionally until creamy and tender.
5. Add salt during the last 20 minutes (if added early, beans toughen).
6. Mash a few beans against the pot to thicken if desired.

Serve with: cornbread, rice, greens, hot sauce.

🌶️ 2. Mexican-Style Pinto Beans (Frijoles de la Olla)

Bright, simple, and great for burritos or bowls.

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried pinto beans
• 1 small onion, halved
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 jalapeño or serrano (optional)
• 1 tbsp salt
• 8 cups water
• Optional: cilantro stems, bay leaf

Instructions

1. Add beans, water, onion, garlic, and pepper to a pot.
2. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer 1.5–2 hours.
3. Add salt once beans are softening.
4. Remove the onion and mash some beans if you want a creamier texture.

Serving ideas:
Top with queso fresco, cilantro, lime, or fry them into refried beans.

🥘 3. Slow Cooker Pinto Beans (No Soak!)

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried pinto beans
• 4 cups broth + 2 cups water
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp oregano
• 1 tsp salt (add later)
• Optional: diced ham, bacon, or smoked sausage

Instructions

1. Add everything except salt to the slow cooker.
2. Cook:
   • Low 8–10 hours, or
   • High 4–6 hours
3. Add salt during the final hour.
4. Adjust seasoning and mash some beans for a creamier texture.

🌟 Want something specific?

I can give you:

• Refried beans (restaurant-style)
• Cowboy beans / Charro beans
• Instant Pot pinto beans
• Vegetarian smoky beans
• Appalachian-style beans + cornbread

Just tell me!