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pinto beans recipe
- Total Time: 135 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A comforting stovetop recipe for creamy pinto beans that are simmered low and slow, then finished with a smoky and tangy chipotle-lime swirl. The process creates a thick, velvety texture perfect for a hearty main course or side dish.
Ingredients
- 450 g (1 pound) dried pinto beans, rinsed
- 30 ml (2 tablespoons) olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 5 ml (1 teaspoon) ground cumin
- 2.5 ml (1/2 teaspoon) smoked paprika
- 1.25 ml (1/4 teaspoon) cayenne pepper, optional
- 1.5 L (6 cups) vegetable broth, low sodium
- 2.5 ml (1/2 teaspoon) sea salt, plus more for swirl
- 1.25 ml (1/4 teaspoon) black pepper
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) sour cream (or Greek yogurt/plant-based alternative)
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
- 15 ml (1 tablespoon) adobo sauce
- 15 ml (1 tablespoon) fresh lime juice
- 1 small clove garlic, finely grated
- 5 ml (1 teaspoon) smoked paprika
- 30 g (1/4 cup) fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Pinto Beans: Rinse dried beans thoroughly. Soak overnight in cold water (at least 2 inches above beans) or quick soak by boiling for 5 minutes, then letting stand covered for 1 hour. Drain and rinse thoroughly before cooking.
- Build Flavor Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and saute for 8-10 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika (2.5 ml), and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly.
- Simmer the Beans: Add the soaked and rinsed pinto beans and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours. Stir occasionally, adding more liquid if needed, until beans are tender.
- Prepare Chipotle-Lime Swirl: While beans simmer, combine sour cream, chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, fresh lime juice, grated garlic, smoked paprika (5 ml), and sea salt (2.5 ml) in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
- Finish and Thicken: Once beans are tender, remove the lid and season with remaining salt (2.5 ml) and black pepper. Continue to simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes to reduce liquid. For extra creaminess, gently mash some beans against the pot side. Adjust consistency with hot broth or water if needed.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle hot beans into bowls, top with generous dollops of the Chipotle-Lime Swirl, and garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
Notes
Soaking beans ensures a creamy texture and faster cooking time. For best results, avoid adding salt until the beans are completely tender to prevent tough skins. To thicken the beans naturally, mash some of them against the side of the pot at the end of cooking. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Prepare the chipotle-lime swirl fresh when serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 120 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 170 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 17 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg