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Frijoles de la Olla reminds me of lugging an empty stock pot to the local tortilleria. They sold tortillas and beans.
Lucky for us, the owner of the store was in love with our aunt, and he would give us a warm tortilla to “butter us up”.
Once he gave my cousin a lollipop, and that’s when we all fought to visit our future tío. (Tío = uncle) 😉
I think at first we loved him more than my aunt did. He would come over for dinner in his freshly pressed shirt, his best sombrero, and shined boots.
An excuse would be made to leave them alone, and eventually, he won her heart. They married after many lollipops, many tortillas, and many, many pots of beans.
Recipes Using Pinto Beans
Frijoles Puercos
Bean Tamales
Carne en Su Jugo
Frijoles Charros
How to Cook Pinto Beans
Cooking pinto beans is easy. I mean EASY! It involves only 3 ingredients.
- Water
- beans
- salt
However, it does take time. Hours and hours, in fact. You can’t rush the magical bean.
This isn’t “Jack and the beanstalk.” This is “Juan, lets the beans talk”.
Sorting beans is a must. They grow underground and are very dirty.
Rinse and repeat, or they will taste like mud.
Soaking Methods
Best method: Soak for 6 hours or overnight.
Quick soaking method: Add dried beans and 2 inches of water above the beans.
Bring to a boil. Turn heat off and soak for one hour. Then continue to the cooking instructions.
When the beans are soaked, they absorb the water. They are bigger.
Soaked beans are plumper. Don’t be stingy with the water.
Cooking pinto beans on the stove involves a lot of water.
Pro Tip:
Test your beans after 45 minutes. They should almost be completely soft, add 1 cup of water and 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 better than the others.
Drain and reheat the beans with spices like cumin and oregano to remove the canned flavor. Use as normal.
Slow Cooker Pinto Beans
- Follow the instructions of the recipe up to step 5.
- Set the slow cooker: 4 hours on high, or 8 hours on low.
You can make ‘em while you sleep. Although, making them on the stove top is faster.
Instant Pot Pinto Beans:
- Pluses: The beans are not soaked. Ready in no time.
- Minuses: You can’t make a really BIG pot.
This last method is perfect for refried beans or enfrijoladas.
Tell me how easy was that?! You’ll be cooking your pinto beans like a pro in no time. You’ll be able to enter the NBA – “National Beans Association”. Lol!
Frijoles de la Olla is such a yummy Mexican side dish and perfect next to any recipe.
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Cooking Pinto Beans (Frijoles de la Olla)
Ingredients
- 1 lb pinto beans
- Water
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 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!
I have cooked our own beans our whole married life which is 35 years. I also can the cooked beans to always have on hand. So easy and cheap.
I believe it! You’re an awesome cook. 🙂
I always bought canned pinto beans but thanks to your post I can cook pinto beans at home. Love this!!!!!
I love the smell of beans cooking. Hope you enjoy. 🙂
I NEED to do this instead of buying canned pinto beans. This looks like such a healthier option and more cost efficient too!
It is more cost effective. Especially if you’re buying organic canned beans.
These look absolutely incredible & relatively simple to recreate. I like the minimal ingredients. :]
Me too! Love recipes that involve just a few ingredients. 🙂
I got a slow cooker a year ago because I wanted to cook my own beans. I still haven’t made beans in the slow cooker! It is time to start. My poor slow cooker is the forgotten appliance in the kitchen.
LOL. I have a blender that’s in the same boat. Love my slow cooker!
This looks amazing I can’t wait to try making me own beans!
So easy. You’ll wonder why you never made your own before.
I have never done “frijoles a la olla” but will add this to my recipes. It’s simple and easy, I normally do beans the same way but tend to add things such as pieces of bacon, garlic and onion procced in a food processor to real fine so it melts during the cooking, diced tomatoes and add two Serrano chiles that have been pierced to add a little hotness but that is too much work. Thanks for this!!!
Oh man! Your recipe sounds good. Yes, you can add all those things.
Hi Nancy! I’m Mexican too. 🙂 I have seen them made the way that you described. My recipe is very simple, very basic. You can add garlic and onion if you like. Knorr Suiza too. It will add flavor. However, Knorr Suiza is not vegan. Also, I have always made the beans (as my grandmother did) with the salt in the beginning. Do you notice a difference when the salt is added later in the cooking process?
wow its great and delicious Post shared by you i really loves to read this again or best idea for cooking this pinto beans
I love pinto beans and just recently started making them at home instead of buying them. I’m so glad I found your recipe!
Pinto beans are the best! Hope you try this recipe.
Yum! I’ve never attempted to cook pinto beans but love how simple this is. Thanks for the recipe!
Glad you enjoyed this. Hope you try it!
How delicious!
Right? Hope you try it!
What a great recipe! And I agree about using organic canned or vacuum packed beans. They are so much better.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed this
So simple yet so flavorful and filling! Thank you!
Simple is sometimes better
Thank you for the great tips, my beans came out perfect.
Glad you liked this recipe!