Easy Pinto Beans Recipe

This easy pinto beans recipe is the perfect side dish to serve with any Tex-Mex-inspired supper. Thick and creamy, gluten free, low fat, and vegan, too!

Prep time: PT10M

Cook time: PT10M

Total time: PT20M

Rating

5 stars (11 reviews)

Keywords

dairy free, gluten free, low fat, vegan, vegetarian

Ingredients

2, 15 oz cans pinto beans (see notes)
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 shallot or 1/2 yellow onion (minced)
1 jalapeno (seeds and ribs removed then minced)
2 cloves garlic (pressed or minced)
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper (see notes)
hot sauce (optional)
chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water (optional)

Cuisine

Mexican

Steps

Pour one can of pinto beans, including the liquid in the can, into a high-speed blender then blend until smooth and creamy and set aside. Drain then rinse the second can of pinto beans and set aside.
Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the shallots/onions and jalapeno then saute until tender, 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic then saute until extremely fragrant, 1 minute.
Add the pureed beans, drained and rinsed beans, smoked paprika, cumin, pepper, and hot sauce, if using, then stir to combine. Add chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water if needed to thin out the beans then cook while stirring until warmed through, 4-5 minutes. Add salt to taste then serve. Note: the beans will thicken as they cool.

Nutitrion

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 228 kcal
Carbohydrates: 43 g
Protein: 9 g
Fat: 3 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Sodium: 389 mg
Sugar: 11 g
Unsaturated Fat: 3 g

Reviews

Abigail on 2026-03-24 (5 stars):
This is DELICIOUS! I made this to have for dinner but I have been just eating it out of the pan.
Lori on 2026-03-19 (5 stars):
So easy and delicious. I did a little IGE mashup! I made the cilantro lime rice (yum!) this pinto bean recipe AND the pulled pork recipe and made one amazing and delicious bowl then garnished it with salsa and fresh cilantro. So good! I followed all recipes as written and had no problems. You can never go wrong with IGE!!
Bronwen on 2026-03-13 (5 stars):
I was looking for an easy, fast side dish for chile verde I made, and I had a can of pinto beans in the cabinet with no plans. This recipe is so fast and easy! I made a half-batch and will never buy canned refried beans again. My husband absolutely loved this recipe too.
Stephanie on 2025-07-03 (5 stars):
Never thought beans and rice could taste so good. Made mine from dry, so I added in some diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, and a little bit of brown sugar to mine before proceeding with this recipe. Excellent taste and texture; will be returning to this
CS on 2025-05-06 (5 stars):
Easy recipe and soooo tasty!