Pinto Bean Recipes

[5ft Diva]

Someone just gave us 40 lbs. of pinto beans. I am truly grateful, but I have no idea what to do w/ them. Does anyone have some great recipes (or ideas)? I would really hate for these to go to waste.

[runamyrun]

A while ago I found this recipe. I tried it and really liked it. In the summer I love to take a tortilla, spread refried beans, warm it up, and then cover it with chopped, fresh veggies. After I make the refried beans, I measure it in one cup increments and put it in freezer bags and into the freezer.

CrockPot Refried Beans

Soak your dried pinto beans in your crockpot in the fridge overnight. (Fill it half full with beans and cover to top with water. For a yummy variation add 2 handfulls of black beans.) Drain water and rinse beans. Put back in crockpot and fill to top with water. Cook on high for 8 hours--make sure it never runs out of water. Drain some of the excess liquid, but keep liquid in a separate container. Add 1-2 tsp. salt and 1-3 TBS butter and about 1 cup mild salsa. Blend with hand mixer until mostly smooth. Add additional reserved liquid if it is not desired consistency.

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[Meticulous madness]

I've gotta try this. Thanks for the recipe, RAR.

And, Diva...if you plan on doing this recipe (and adding the black beans) do you have any black beans on hand? If not, what would you say to a trade of a half pound of black beans, for a half pound of pinto? No worries if you're not interested (just thought I'd ask).

I'm always hesitant to buy something in bulk, until I know I will use it. I've never made pinto beans before and I would like to try - but I'm not sure I'm willing to spend the money yet. kwim?

[5ft Diva]

I'm totally game. I love black beans.

[natickgirl]

It's probably obvious, but pinto beans are great for chili. Just use your favorite chili receipes. Also, I often substitute beans for meat in enchiladas, soups, etc. I would recommend getting a pressure cooker...you can cook beans in about 10-15 min. rather than 2 hours! (Which would save a lot of energy in emergency situations, too.)

[runamyrun]

Wow! I didn't know you could cook beans in a pressure cooker! I need a new one. Another thing I have done with beans is to cook a big batch of it and then portion it out into one cup increments (leave the beans whole), put in a ziploc bag, and throw in the freezer. Then when you want to cook something with beans you don't have to go through the whole process of cooking the beans (like if you don't have a working pressure cooker!). If you need more recipes for things with refried beans, let me know.

[5ft Diva]

Keep the recipes and ideas coming. I've got 40 lbs. to use. (Well, 39 1/2 after MM takes 1/2 a lb.) I love the pressure cooker idea. I have one but it's too big for my stove so I need a smaller one or one w/ a flat bottom.

[Dia Minha]

I guess I need a pressure cooker. We eat beans all the time, but there are so many times I forget to put them on that it gets frustrating when its two hours before dinner and I don't have enough time to cook the beans.

Dori, we love to just eat pinto beans plain. You can soak them over night, drain and rinse, cook all day in the crockpot and serve with warm whole wheat bread. I eat mine plain, DH puts butter in his, an the kids put ketchup in theirs. Beans are an amazing food, because they are packed with nutrients. If eaten with a whole grain they can count as a protein. If eaten after or with a protein, they can count as a vegtable. So a bowl of beans and a whole wheat role doesn't sound like a balanced meal, but it is.

[natickgirl]

If you do cook beans in a pressure cooker, make sure you add a little oil or butter, and cook them on medium heat, not high. Otherwise, they'll stick to the bottom & burn, and burnt beans stink!