Crock-Pot pinto beans are a versatile and nutritious option for vegetarians, and can be flavored in a variety of ways. Dried beans require soaking, while canned beans can be used as is. Cooking time is 6-10 hours on low heat, and the beans can be served in a variety of dishes.
Pinto beans, also called kidney beans, are generally an inexpensive and rich source of nutrition. Vegetarians often use them instead of meat as a source of protein. While these beans take a long time to simmer and become soft enough to eat, they don’t have to be difficult to prepare. Crock-Pot pinto beans are slowly simmered for many hours in a slow cooker. They are also versatile when it comes to both flavor and recipe applications.
Home cooks preparing Crock-Pot pinto beans at home need to understand the difference between using canned and dried beans. Canned beans require no preparation. They can simply go into the Crock-Pot as is, without being drained. Dried beans should be soaked for 12-24 hours before cooking and should be covered with water or broth in the clay pot. The liquid soaks into the beans as they cook, making them tender and easy to digest.
Once in the crock pot, pinto beans require six to 10 hours of cooking on the lowest heat setting. Those unfamiliar with these cooking vessels should note that they require little attention. The contents can usually be left to warm up all day without touching the dish. The beans may benefit from the occasional stir, but this isn’t necessary. Busy mothers, working parents, and foodies on the go can use a crock pot to get the benefit of a hot, prepared meal without much work.
The flavor combinations for Crock-Pot pinto beans are virtually endless. The seasoning of this type of dish usually begins with the cooking liquid. Some prefer water, but chicken, beef, and vegetable broths or stocks generally give the beans a richer, deeper flavor. Even canned beans, if drained, can benefit from simmering these liquids. Soups and sauces, whether homemade or canned, also provide extra flavor and variety. For example, cooking in chicken broth can help transform Crock-Pot pinto beans into Mexican refried beans, while a marinara sauce could provide the foundation for an Italian pinto bean dish.
The spices and greens added to the Crock-Pot can turn simple pinto beans into an entire meal. Potatoes, onions, corn, and carrots are just a few veggies that soften and absorb flavors, just like pinto beans do. Throwing some minced garlic, paprika, cumin, or even fresh basil into the mix often takes the beans from plain to exotic. If desired, a cook can repeatedly serve Crock-Pot pinto beans without boring diners, as long as the flavor variations are always different.
Crock-Pot pinto beans can also be served in a variety of ways. When prepared simply, they can be mashed or blended into a stuffed bean paste and used as a filling or taco stuffing. Flavored pinto beans could also be part of a chili mix, a vegetable soup, or even the filling of a bean pie. Some people even like them on their own, topped with little more than a little shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
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