1- Getting started with this slow cooker pinto beans recipe is as easy as gathering your ingredients and following a few simple steps. First, rinse and sort the 1 pound of dry pinto beans to remove any debris, then set them aside. This process helps ensure your beans cook evenly and taste their best in the end.

2- Next, heat the 2 teaspoons of oil in a pan over medium-high heat and sauté the chopped onion, jalapeno, and half a teaspoon of salt for about 2 minutes until they soften. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, which really boosts the flavor of your crock pot pinto beans recipe. Transfer these veggies to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker, then add the beans, the remaining salt, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, optional cayenne, 3 cups of water, and 4 cups of broth.

3- Stir everything together to mix the flavors, cover the slow cooker, and cook on high for 8 to 10 hours until the beans are tender check earlier if your cooker runs hot. Once done, discard the bay leaves and serve the beans as they are, or turn them into refried beans by reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid, draining the rest, and mashing the beans with the liquid for the right texture. For a fun twist, top with garnishes like queso fresco, diced tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, or avocado to make your easy slow cooker pinto beans even more appealing. If you’re into other slow cooking recipes, you might enjoy a visit this page for a comforting chicken dish that pairs well with beans.