Big Crock Pot Full of Pinto Beans
Get ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of hearty comfort food with this Big Crock Pot Full of Pinto Beans recipe. Perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this dish combines tender, slow-cooked pinto beans with smoky spices like paprika and cumin, plus an optional ham hock or smoked turkey leg for an extra layer of savory depth. With just 20 minutes of prep and the ease of a slow cooker, you’ll have a flavorful and protein-packed dish that’s versatile enough to enjoy as a side, over rice, or with warm cornbread. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a pop of freshness, and savor the cozy, home-cooked goodness in every bite.
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds dried pinto beans
- 10 cups water
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoons thyme
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 leaves bay leaves
- 1 piece ham hock or smoked turkey leg (optional)
- 0.25 cups chopped cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Directions
Step 1
Rinse the dried pinto beans thoroughly under cold water. Remove any debris or stones.
Step 2
In a large bowl, soak the beans in enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches. Let them soak for 8–12 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse again before cooking.
Step 3
In a large crock pot, combine the soaked and rinsed beans, water, diced onion, minced garlic, smoked paprika, ground cumin, thyme, bay leaves, and the optional ham hock or smoked turkey leg if using.
Step 4
Stir the mixture to distribute the seasonings evenly.
Step 5
Set the crock pot to low and cook for 8 hours, or set it to high to cook for 4–5 hours. Stir occasionally if possible.
Step 6
About 1 hour before the end of cooking, add salt and black pepper. Stir and continue cooking until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded.
Step 7
Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Remove the bay leaves and ham hock or smoked turkey leg before serving.
Step 8
Serve the beans warm, garnished with chopped cilantro if desired. Enjoy them as a side dish, over rice, or with cornbread.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | 1322.5 grams (1322.5g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1734 |
| Total Fat 30.70g | 39% |
| Saturated Fat 9.70g | 49% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.10g | |
| Cholesterol 119mg | 40% |
| Sodium 8989mg | 391% |
| Total Carbohydrate 257.60g | 94% |
| Dietary Fiber 85.50g | 305% |
| Total Sugars 7.60g | |
| Protein 118.80g | 238% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 575mg | 44% |
| Iron 26mg | 142% |
| Potassium 5031mg | 107% |
Source of Calories