If you have been soaking pinto beans before cooking or even cooking them for the first time and wondering whether you can cook without soaking, then you have your answers here. In this post, I will help you understand everything you need to know about cooking pinto beans without soaking. Of course, you can cook them in crockpot or slow cooker.
Even before that, do you have to soak pinto beans? The answer is NO! You don’t have to soak pinto beans before cooking. It is not a must but you can do it if you want. What you need to know is that soaking them before you cook will reduce cooking time. So, if you are not concerned about the time it takes to cook well, then you can cook them as they are – dry.
Pinto beans are a favorite in most Mexican dishes. In Spanish, it is referred to as Frijoles pintos. It is also important to understand the nutritional aspect. In that regard, many people have asked, “How many calories are in 1 cup of pinto beans cooked?”
According to Nutritionix nutritional facts, a cup of pinto beans (171g) contains about 245 calories. They are also rich in dietary fiber, proteins, Iron, and Potassium among other nutrients.
Other things you need to know before cooking pinto beans:
- It takes about 2 – 4 hours to cook pinto beans. This, however, depends on whether you soak them first or not.
- Young pods may also be eaten as green beans.
- It is among the official state vegetables in New Mexico.
- They are referred to as Cowboy beans in Texas.
At least, you have a snapshot of what you are about to cook.
Contents
How to Cook Pinto Beans Without Soaking
This guide will also help you know how to cook pinto beans without soaking. I will give you an easy Mexican style that will enable you to cook them perfectly. Of course, you might not want the canned pinto beans again if you try this.
So, if you are looking for a delicious way to cook your beans, whether on how to cook pinto beans (Mexican style), in a crockpot, or slow cooker, this is everything you need to master the steps and get everything right.
Steps on How to Make Pinto Beans in A Slow Cooker or Crockpot – the Mexican style:
Ingredients
- Pinto Beans – this is what the recipe is all about. When cooked slowly, you get a hearty and creamy texture. It is a versatile base that you can add other ingredients to create a delicious side.
- Onion – is the foundational aroma that balances the spicy and the savory flavors.
- Garlic – it pairs well with other spices to give the dish an enhanced flavor with some pungent kick.
- Cumin – it is an essential spice that you will need in Mexican cuisine. It gives the dish a peppery and nutty flavor.
- Chili Powder – for a smoky taste with some mild heat, chili powder is essential.
- Salt – at the end of your cooking, you need to add some salt to bring out the flavors. Adding them at the end also makes the beans not become tough.
- Low-sodium chicken Broth or Water – you need them to soften the beans when cooking. If you need a richer or more flavored note, then you can use chicken broth instead of water.
Optional Ingredients
- Bay leaf
- Dried oregano
- Roma tomato
- Jalapeno
- Smoked paprika
Instructions
- Rinse the beans – rinsing cleans any dirt that might be present in the beans. Remember, you are cooking them without soaking.
- Add ingredients – place all the ingredients except salt in a crockpot or slow cooker.
- Turn on the slow cooker/crockpot – cook in low heat for about 8 – 10 hours or until the beans are tender. You need to stir them occasionally so they don’t stick.
- Add salt – as mentioned, salt is the last ingredient to add. Adding them at the end as mentioned will prevent the beans from getting tough.
- Mash them up – if you want to enjoy some creamy refried texture, you can mash some of the beans with a potato masher or a spoon. However, this is optional.
- Serve – once they are ready, serve them hot with tacos or rice among other foods. It is a perfect side dish that can go with any main course meal.
FAQs
Some of the few questions that people frequently ask in regard to pinto beans recipe include the following:
How Long to Cook Pinto Beans in Crock Pot?
It takes about 8 – 10 hours to cook pinto beans in a crock pot on low heat and about 3.5 – 4 hours on high heat. This also is dependent on whether you have soaked the beans or not. For this case, we are referring to dry beans that have not been soaked. As mentioned, soaking will reduce the cooking time slightly.
Does Soaking Beans Reduce Gas?
Yes, soaking beans in water can reduce gas. This is because some of the indigestible sugars that usually cause the gas get dissolved in the soaking water.
Final Thoughts
At this point, you can perfectly cook pinto beans to your taste and preference. Of course, you can use the spices that you want to achieve the taste that you want.
One thing with this recipe is that you can easily make it in the comfort of your home. It is easy and simple to implement and once you get to know how to cook, you might never want to go for the canned pinto beans.
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