Spicy Smoky Pinto Beans

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 2 hours
🍽 Serves: 6
★★★★★
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Spicy Smoky Pinto Beans are a game-changer for your weekly meal rotation. This dish combines the earthy richness of pinto beans with a smoky kick, making it perfect for those who love bold flavors. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a kitchen newbie, this recipe is sure to impress.

Ingredients for Spicy Smoky Pinto Beans

Pinto beans are the heart of this dish, known for their creamy texture and ability to absorb flavors beautifully. Water is essential for cooking the beans until they're tender. Olive oil is used to sauté the aromatics, adding a touch of richness. Onion and garlic bring depth and sweetness to the dish. Smoked paprika infuses the beans with a smoky, earthy flavor, while the chipotle pepper in adobo sauce and adobo sauce provide heat and complexity. Cumin adds a warm, nutty background note. Salt and black pepper are used to season the beans, enhancing all the other flavors. Finally, cilantro and lime juice add a fresh, bright finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you're short on time, use a pressure cooker to speed up the cooking process for the beans.
  • For more heat, add an extra chipotle pepper or a dash of cayenne pepper.
  • To enhance the smoky flavor, consider adding a few dashes of liquid smoke.

Serving Suggestions

These beans are fantastic served over rice or as a filling for tacos. They also make a great side dish for grilled meats or roasted vegetables. For a complete meal, add a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use canned beans instead of dried?
Yes, you can use canned pinto beans. Just reduce the cooking time since they are already tender.
How long do these beans keep?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these beans will keep for up to 5 days.
Can I freeze these beans?
Absolutely! These beans freeze well. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat when you're ready to enjoy them.

Spicy Smoky Pinto Beans Recipe Walkthrough

First, you'll want to give those pinto beans a good rinse. Sort through them and remove any debris or stones. This is a small but crucial step. Once that's done, place the beans and water in a large pot. Bring it all to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let them cook for about 1.5 hours, or until they're tender. You can do other things around the house while they simmer, just check them occasionally.

While the beans are cooking, grab a skillet and heat the olive oil over medium heat. Toss in the onion and garlic. Sauté them until they’re translucent and fragrant. This should take about 5 minutes. Next, add in the smoked paprika, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, and cumin. Stir them around for about a minute until everything's nicely combined and aromatic. This step really awakens the spices.

Once your sautéed mixture is ready, add it to the pot with the beans. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly combined. Now, season the beans with salt and black pepper. Let the beans cook for an additional 10 minutes. This allows all those wonderful flavors to meld together. Finally, remove the pot from heat. Stir in the cilantro and lime juice, which add a fresh, zesty touch right before serving.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • A perfect blend of smoky and spicy flavors that elevate simple pinto beans.
  • Easy to prepare with a handful of kitchen staples.
  • Great as a standalone dish or a versatile side.
  • Perfect for meal prep and reheats well.

Ingredients

1 lb pinto beans, dried
6 cups water
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
1 tbsp adobo sauce
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 lime, juiced

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Rinse and sort the pinto beans, removing any debris.
2. In a large pot, combine the beans and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hours or until beans are tender.
3. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until translucent.
4. Add the smoked paprika, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, and cumin to the skillet. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Add the sautéed mixture to the beans and stir well.
6. Season beans with salt and black pepper, cooking for an additional 10 minutes to meld flavors.
7. Remove from heat, stir in cilantro and lime juice before serving.

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