Name: Pinto Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 6 Servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 cups dry pinto beans; 1 onion; 4 cloves garlic; 2 teaspoons salt; 0.5 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp cumin; 1 dried ancho chile; 8 cups water

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Pinto Beans

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Ingredients

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Instructions

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Instructions

Soak the beans: Place dry pinto beans in a large bowl and cover with water. Soak overnight or use the quick soak method (bring beans to a boil, remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 1 hour). Drain and rinse.

Cook the aromatics: Heat 1 teaspoon of salt and the diced onion in a large pot with a little olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 5 minutes.

Simmer the beans: Add the soaked beans, oregano, cumin, dried ancho chile, and 8 cups of water to the pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 45 minutes.

Adjust seasoning: Add the remaining teaspoon of salt and continue to cook for another 45 minutes or until the beans are tender. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Bean Soaking Secrets 💦
Soak dried pinto beans overnight in cold water with a pinch of baking soda to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility.
Chile Toasting Technique 🌶️
Lightly toast the dried ancho chile in a dry skillet for 30 seconds per side to unlock deeper, more complex flavor before adding to the beans.
Aromatics Magic 🧅
Sauté the garlic and onion in a bit of oil before adding beans to create a flavor base that will infuse the entire dish with rich, deep notes.
Liquid Gold Trick 💧
Never let the beans dry out - always maintain about an inch of liquid above the beans during cooking, adding hot water as needed to keep them creamy and prevent burning.
Seasoning Layer Hack 🌿
Add cumin and dried oregano early in the cooking process to allow the spices to bloom and fully integrate their flavors into the beans.