Description
Mexican slow-cooked pinto beans bring hearty comfort straight from traditional kitchens. Rich spices and tender legumes create a classic side dish that connects you with authentic southwestern comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) dried pinto beans, rinsed and picked over
- 48 ounces (1.4 liters) low-sodium chicken broth
Spices and Herbs:
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro stems (optional)
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 jar (8 ounces / 226 grams) mild or hot diced pickled jalapeños (including brine)
- 3 cloves garlic
- Kosher salt, to taste
Garnish:
- 3/4 cup (170 grams) shredded sharp Cheddar or crumbled Cotija or queso fresco
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Sort and rinse pinto beans thoroughly, removing any damaged or discolored beans.
- Place beans in slow cooker and pour in chicken broth, ensuring beans are fully submerged.
- Add pickled jalapeños with their tangy brine to infuse deep, zesty flavor into the beans.
- Sprinkle ground cumin and crumbled dried oregano to enhance the aromatic profile of the dish.
- Crush whole garlic cloves and nestle them into the bean mixture for robust, mellow undertones.
- Tuck bay leaves and chopped cilantro stems into the liquid to develop complex, herbaceous notes.
- Season with kosher salt to balance and intensify the overall taste.
- Cover slow cooker and set on HIGH temperature for 8-10 hours, allowing beans to become tender yet maintain structural integrity.
- Once cooking completes, remove bay leaves and gently mash garlic cloves back into the bean mixture.
- Transfer beans to serving dish, garnishing with crumbled cheese, fresh cilantro leaves, and zesty lime wedges.
- Serve piping hot, allowing guests to squeeze lime juice for additional brightness.
Notes
- Soak beans overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility, cutting down on potential gas-causing compounds.
- Add a splash of apple cider vinegar during cooking to help soften beans and enhance their flavor profile.
- For a vegetarian version, swap chicken broth with vegetable broth without compromising the rich, savory taste.
- Control salt levels by using low-sodium broth and adjusting seasoning gradually to suit personal preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 10 hours
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg