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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Frijoles de la Olla + VIDEO

    Published: Sep 22, 2020 · Updated: Mar 20, 2023 by Maggie Unzueta

    Next time you’re thinking of cooking pinto beans, or Frijoles de la Olla, try out this easy recipe. It is the perfect side dish to your Mexican food favorites.
    Jump to Recipe
    A bowl of pinto beans next to dried beans.
    Next time you’re thinking of cooking pinto beans, or Frijoles de la Olla, try this easy recipe. It is the perfect side dish to your Mexican food favorites. BY Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    Ladle full of cooked pinto beans.

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Frijoles de la Olla (or frijoles de olla) remind me of carrying an empty stock pot to the local tortilleria where they sold tortillas and cooked pinto beans.

    They are a staple in the Mexican cuisine. Creamy, hearty, and so yummy!

    Lucky for us, this Mexican recipe is easy to make at home and the start to refried beans.

    Make Mexican beans faster with this Instant Pot Pinto Beans recipe.

    Table of Contents

    • 1 Ingredients
    • 2 Instructions
    • 3 Soaking Methods
    • 4 Canned pinto beans
    • 5 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 6 More Pinto Bean Recipes:
      • 6.1 Hungry for More?
    • 7 Cooking Pinto Beans (Frijoles de la Olla)
      • 7.1 Ingredients
      • 7.2 Instructions
      • 7.3 Video
      • 7.4 Notes
      • 7.5 Nutrition
          • 7.5.0.1 Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    Hand holding dried pinto beans.

    • water
    • dried pinto beans
    • salt

    Cooking pinto beans is easy. EASY! It involves only those 3 simple ingredients.

    However, it does take a long time. Hours and hours, in fact. You can’t rush the magical bean.

    This isn’t “Jack and the Beanstalk.” This is “Juan, let the beans talk”.

    Feel free to add extra ingredients like 1 bay leaves, ½ medium onion, 2 garlic cloves, and epazote to enhance the flavor of the beans.

    Instructions

    Hand holding rock from the pinto beans

    • Remove any twigs, rocks, or hard dirt.

    Sorting beans is a must. They are very dirty. Rinse and repeat, or they will taste like mud.

    Cooking a large pot of frijoles pintos is a weekly thing for many Mexican families

    The traditional cooking method to make pinto beans is in a big clay pot – known as “olla de barro.”

    Beans submerged in water in a pot.

    Soaking Methods

    • Best method: Soak for 6 hours or overnight in a large bowl.
    • Quick soaking method: Add dried beans and 2 inches of cold water above the beans. Bring to a boil. Turn the heat off and soak for one hour. Then continue to the cooking instructions.

    When the beans are soaked, they absorb the water and become bigger.

    Pinto beans have a nuttier taste and have the unique ability to take on the flavor of the foods they are cooked with.

    On the other hand, black beans (frijoles negros) are oval-shaped, smaller, and sturdier, can better handle high temperatures and resist moisture so they don’t turn mushy.

    Hand holding soaked pinto beans.

    • The skin on soaked beans will look wrinkly. Don’t be stingy with the water.
    • Cooking pinto beans on the stove involves a lot of water.

    Test your beans after 45 minutes. They should almost be completely soft, add 1 cup of water and a teaspoon salt at the very end until the pinto beans are tender. This will give your beans plenty of liquid to continue cooking and prevent them from burning.

    Canned pinto beans

    • Use organic canned pinto beans. They taste much better than the others. I like these canned pinto beans.

    Drain and reheat the beans with spices like cumin and oregano to remove the canned flavor. Use as normal.

    Cooked pinto beans in a large stock pot.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Storing them – How long will they last?

    Properly cooked pinto beans will last from 3-5 days in the fridge. But you can also freeze them in freezer bags or airtight containers for up to 6 months.

    Are pinto beans good for you?

    Eating pinto beans can help you stay healthy. It can lower the risk of getting heart disease and diabetes. It also might help you live longer and reduce your chances of getting cancer. Plus, it fills you up!

    A bowl of pinto beans next to dried beans.

    More Pinto Bean Recipes:

    • Frijoles Puercos
    • Bean Tamales
    • Carne en Su Jugo
    • Frijoles Charros

    Frijoles de la Olla is a tasty staple of Mexican cuisine. This easy recipe makes a perfect side dish for your main meal favorites. With a warm tortilla and queso fresco, a large bowl of pinto beans is comfort food at its best!

    Hungry for More?

    Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube for my latest recipes and videos.

    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!
    Ladle full of cooked pinto beans.

    Cooking Pinto Beans (Frijoles de la Olla)

    Next time you’re thinking of cooking pinto beans, or Frijoles de la Olla, try out this easy recipe. It is the perfect side dish to your Mexican food favorites.
    5 from 88 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 12 hours hours
    Cook Time: 2 hours hours
    Total Time: 14 hours hours
    Servings: 4 cups
    Calories: 175kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb pinto beans
    • Water
    • 1 clove garlic
    • ½ onion (small)
    • 2 tablespoons salt

    Instructions

    • Sort the beans, removing all the rocks and other debris.
    • Rinse the beans thoroughly.
    • Overnight Soaking Method: Cover the beans with water, at least a few inches above the beans. Overnight is best, or 6 hours.
    • OR Quick Soaking Method: Add pinto beans to a stock pot and cover with water 4 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil for 1 minute. Turn off heat. Let sit for 1 hour.
    • Drain.
    • In a large stock pot, add enough water to cover 4 inches above the beans, and add onion and garlic.
    • Bring to a boil.
    • Cover and reduce heat to low.
    • You should barely see the water moving when boiling.
    • Cook for 1 hour.
    • Add salt.
    • Then add 1 cup of water.
    • Return to a gentle boil.
    • Check if tender.
    • If needed, cook until tender.
    • Enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    Sort the bean carefully. Rocks and debris like to hide in packages of dried beans. 
    Slow Cooker Method: Transfer the soaked beans to the slow cooker, add enough water to cover 4 inches above the beans, and add salt. Set the slow cooker: 4 hours on high, or 8 hours on low.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3491mg | Potassium: 535mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Maggie Unzueta
    Website | + posts

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

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    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Chris

      July 15, 2023 at 9:17 am

      Do you have to put the beans in the fridge overnight to soak or can they stay on the counter?

      Thank you Chris

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        July 24, 2023 at 9:14 am

        Whichever you prefer. I leave them out on the counter and covered.

        Reply
    2. olga

      June 16, 2023 at 8:59 pm

      Thanks for posting Cooking Pinto Beans. Nothing like a fresh plate of pinto’s with rice. We were so poor we never went hungry with a pot of beans & tortillas. My uncle made pan de campo this was sooooooo delicioso. I love your post.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        June 20, 2023 at 7:41 am

        The simplicity of a pot of beans and tortillas can create cherished memories. I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe!

        Reply
    3. Virginia

      June 15, 2023 at 9:34 am

      Frijoles de la Olla was my father’s favorite. The picture of you sorting through the uncooked beans looking for stones, etc. reminded me of a video I say so a woman who asked her preteen to clean the beans for cooking. The video showed the girl cleaning each bean with a cloth! Hahaha! Thank you for your delicious recipes!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        June 20, 2023 at 7:25 am

        Glad this recipe brought back fond memories, it’s always heartwarming when food can bring back so much nostalgia. Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    4. Belinda Saenz-Dunne

      May 11, 2023 at 8:22 pm

      5 stars
      First, thank you for sharing this recipe! Second, I used this bean recipe for cooking in my clay olla for the first time …. soooo exciting connecting to my roots. Third, these were the best beans I’ve ever made.
      After a Google search, I printed your recipe and began my Frijoles de la olla adventure. Once they were fully cooked I then refried them and added copious amounts of jack cheese before wrapping the gooey deliciousness in a warm flour tortilla. I’m eating it now and loving you for helping bring such savory success to my kitchen. 🙂

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        May 17, 2023 at 12:25 pm

        Aww! Thank you for your kind words and super happy to hear that these Frijoles de la Olla came out perfectly. Love it when people try my recipes, so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    5. Amy Liu Dong

      March 26, 2023 at 1:20 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! Such an easy way to cook beans.
      I really love it! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 27, 2023 at 12:30 pm

        Glad to hear that you found it easy and enjoyed it.

        Reply
    6. Elizabeth

      March 26, 2023 at 10:27 am

      5 stars
      A great, classic recipe for pinto beans! Very delicious, and a great add to any Mexican main dish.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 27, 2023 at 12:35 pm

        Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe. It’s one of my favorite classics.

        Reply
    7. Ann

      March 26, 2023 at 7:59 am

      5 stars
      This sounds like a great recipe to use in burritos or as a Mexican side dish. Thanks for the recipe share!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        March 27, 2023 at 12:42 pm

        You’re welcome! It definitely makes a great side dish and is perfect for burritos. I hope you get a chance to try it out soon!

        Reply
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