Nyla's Ranch Beans

Bursting with bold, smoky flavor, Nyla's Ranch Beans are the ultimate comfort food, perfect as a hearty side dish or a filling main course. This recipe features tender pinto beans simmered low and slow in a savory blend of crispy bacon, aromatic garlic, and diced onions, all enhanced by the rich depth of tomato paste, green chilies, and warming spices like smoked paprika and cumin. A touch of brown sugar balances the heat, while fresh cilantro adds a refreshing finish. Whether served alongside cornbread or spooned over rice, these ranch beans are a satisfying, crowd-pleasing dish that will leave your kitchen smelling irresistible. With simple ingredients and a rich, homemade taste, Nyla's Ranch Beans are a must-try for anyone craving southwestern comfort food. Perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or as a make-ahead meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried pinto beans
• 6 cups water
• 6 slices bacon
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 15-ounce can canned diced tomatoes
• 1 4-ounce can green chilies, diced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and sort the dried pinto beans to remove any debris or damaged beans. Place them in a large pot and cover with 6 cups of water. Let the beans soak overnight, or use the quick soak method by boiling them for 2 minutes and then letting them sit for 1 hour.

Step 2

After soaking, drain the beans and rinse them thoroughly. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat in the pot.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the bacon fat and sauté over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, allowing it to deepen in flavor. Add the chicken broth, canned diced tomatoes (with their juices), and diced green chilies to the pot.

Step 6

Season the mixture with smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper, stirring well to combine.

Step 7

Add the soaked and drained beans to the pot. Crumble the cooked bacon and stir it into the mixture.

Step 8

Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded. If the beans start to dry out during cooking, add small amounts of water or chicken broth as needed.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Stir in fresh cilantro just before serving if desired.

Step 10

Serve Nyla's Ranch Beans warm as a side dish or as a hearty main with cornbread or rice.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3123.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1179.0

Total Fat 33.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.4g
Cholesterol 56.0mg	0%
Sodium 5798.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 161.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 48.4g	0%
Total Sugars 42.1g
Protein 66.5g	0%

Vitamin D 7.7IU	0%
Calcium 550.8mg	0%
Iron 16.8mg	0%
Potassium 4357.4mg	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: 24.9%

Protein: 21.9%

Carbs: 53.2%