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Home > Stock a Pantry > Legumes

Pinto Beans

Legumes

Pinto Beans

Quick Tips

How to cook pinto beans

My preferred method is to soak (if I have time), combine with a mirepoix and garlic, boil for 10 minutes, then cook until tender (anywhere from 1 to 4 hours). This technique came from Rancho Gordo.
If you’re looking for other methods of bean cooking, this article has quite a few examples.

How to buy beans

Buy beans out of bulk bins you know have quick turnover or from companies that go through inventory at a quick pace. Two of my favorites: Bob’s Red Mill and Rancho Gordo.

How to store beans

Store dried beans in an airtight container, away from light. I prefer to keep my beans in glass jars, kept in my pantry cupboard. While beans can last for some time, I try to make sure I don’t have any beans older than a year in my pantry.

Varieties

While I cook a pot of beans or two weekly, I also like to freeze pinto beans in their liquid for an emergency stash of beans. Cook the beans as normal, stir in about a teaspoon of 1 ½ apple cider vinegar/pound of beans (a trick I picked up from the Kitchn), and divide into freezer-safe containers. Let cool before sealing.

About

Most of the times when I’ve crossed paths with pinto beans, it has been in Mexican and Southern cooking. This has transferred to my own kitchen. I love making homemade refried beans with pinto beans, as well as enchilada and taco fillings.

I find that I like to add/swap pinto beans into recipes that use black beans. While the flavors are slightly different, pinto beans make for a good substitution. I also love to add pinto beans to my chili.

Purchase Black-eyed Peas

 

Pinto Beans from Bob’s Red Mill
Dried Beans from Rancho Gordo
No-salt Added Canned Pinto Beans

Potato Pinto Bean Tacos

see full recipe >

 All Vegetarian Pinto Bean Recipes

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    Bean and Cabbage Tacos with Pickled Onions
  • Charro Beans | Frejoles Charros | Cooking Component
    Charro Beans | Frejoles Charros | Cooking Component
  • Chimichurri Potato Tacos with Pinto Beans
    Chimichurri Potato Tacos with Pinto Beans
  • How to Cook Dried Beans
    How to Cook Dried Beans
  • Pinto Bean Quesadilla with Spiced Zucchini
    Pinto Bean Quesadilla with Spiced Zucchini
  • Pinto Bean Sweet Potato Enchiladas
    Pinto Bean Sweet Potato Enchiladas
  • Pinto Squash Stew with Chimichurri
    Pinto Squash Stew with Chimichurri
  • Roasted Pumpkin Polenta with Pinto Beans
    Roasted Pumpkin Polenta with Pinto Beans
  • Spiced Pinto Bean Bowls with Avocado
    Spiced Pinto Bean Bowls with Avocado
  • Spinach Quesadillas with Spiced Pinto Beans
    Spinach Quesadillas with Spiced Pinto Beans
  • Three-Bean Vegan Chili
    Three-Bean Vegan Chili
  • Vegan Tempeh Chili with Beans
    Vegan Tempeh Chili with Beans
Pinto Bean

Recent Recipes

  • How to Cook Dried Beans
    How to Cook Dried Beans
  • Bean and Cabbage Tacos with Pickled Onions
    Bean and Cabbage Tacos with Pickled Onions
  • Vegan Tempeh Chili with Beans
    Vegan Tempeh Chili with Beans

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I'm Erin and this is my space for all things vegetarian food inspired by California and my love of cooking.


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