Colleen's Pinto Beans

Transform your kitchen into a hub of comforting aromas with "Colleen's Pinto Beans," a hearty and flavorful dish that celebrates the earthy goodness of dried pinto beans. Perfectly seasoned with smoked paprika, cumin, and a splash of soy sauce, these tender beans simmer in a rich broth of vegetable stock, diced tomatoes, and aromatic garlic and onions. The optional jalapeño adds a hint of spice, while fresh cilantro offers a bright garnish. Ideal as a satisfying side dish or a filling main course, this versatile recipe pairs beautifully with cornbread, rice, or tortillas. Whether you're craving a cozy weeknight dinner or looking for a plant-based protein-packed option, Colleen's Pinto Beans are sure to impress with their wholesome, slow-cooked flavor.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:150 mins

Total Time:170 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried pinto beans
• 8 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small jalapeño, diced (optional)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned, with juice)
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 0 salt (to taste)
• 0 black pepper (to taste)
• 0 fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and sort the pinto beans, removing any debris or damaged beans.

Step 2

Place the beans in a large bowl, cover them with water (about 3 inches above the beans), and let them soak overnight. Alternatively, use the quick soak method by boiling the beans for 2 minutes, then letting them sit for 1 hour before draining.

Step 3

Drain and rinse the soaked beans before starting the cooking process.

Step 4

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 5

Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-5 minutes, until softened and translucent.

Step 6

Stir in the minced garlic and diced jalapeño (if using), and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Step 7

Add the smoked paprika, ground cumin, and bay leaves, and stir well to coat the vegetables in the spices.

Step 8

Pour in the vegetable broth, water, and diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir to combine.

Step 9

Add the soaked pinto beans to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 10

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 2-2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and creamy.

Step 11

In the last 15 minutes of cooking, stir in the soy sauce and season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 12

Remove the bay leaves from the pot before serving.

Step 13

Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro, if desired, and serve warm as a side dish or a main course with cornbread, rice, or tortillas.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3651.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1267.0

Total Fat 40.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.4g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4539.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 183.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 50.6g	0%
Total Sugars 28.5g
Protein 55.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 558.0mg	0%
Iron 16.5mg	0%
Potassium 4126.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 27.4%

Protein: 17.0%

Carbs: 55.6%