What Are Pinto Beans?
Pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) are a type of dried bean named for the Spanish word “pinto,” meaning “painted” or “spotted.” The raw beans have brown speckles on a cream-colored background; when boiled, the speckles disappear and each bean turns a uniform pinkish-brown color.
They are among the most widely consumed dried bean varieties in North and Central America and are an essential ingredient, especially in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine.
Pinto Bean Nutrition Facts
100 grams of boiled pinto beans contain about 143 kcal, 9 g of plant protein, and 9 g of fiber. They are also a legume rich in folate, iron, and potassium.
What Are the Benefits of Pinto Beans?
With their high fiber and plant protein content, pinto beans are among the foods that provide a feeling of fullness as part of a balanced diet. Their complex carbohydrate structure has traditionally led them to be considered a component of meals that provide energy slowly.
This information is general; pinto beans are a food and are not a substitute for medical treatment.
How to Choose Pinto Beans
Look for intact beans and a distinct speckled pattern when choosing high-quality pinto beans.
- The beans should be uniform in size and unbroken.
- If the speckles have faded or disappeared, the beans may be stale.
- There should be no dust buildup at the bottom of the package.
How to Store Pinto Beans
Dried pinto beans can be stored for up to 1 year in a sealed container in a cool, dark cupboard. Cooked beans stay fresh for 3–4 days in the refrigerator and can be stored for a few months in the freezer.
Using Pinto Beans in the Kitchen
Pinto beans are most often boiled and mashed for the classic Mexican refried beans dish; they are also used whole in soups, salads, and burrito fillings.
How Are Refried Beans (Mashed Pinto Beans) Made?
Boiled pinto beans are sautéed with onions and spices, then mashed with their cooking liquid until smooth; they are used as a filling in burritos and tacos.
How to Cook Pinto Beans
Soak the beans overnight, drain them, and boil them in plenty of water over low heat for 1–1.5 hours, until tender; add salt toward the end of cooking.
What Dishes Use Pinto Beans?
Some of the best-known uses for pinto beans are refried beans, chili con carne, burrito fillings, pinto bean salad, and Mexican-style bean soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pinto beans the same as common beans?
Both are different varieties of the same species (Phaseolus vulgaris); pinto beans are distinguished by their speckled appearance and widespread use in Mexican cuisine, and have a different cultural role from the common bean varieties used in Turkish cuisine.
Why do pinto beans change color?
During cooking, the brown speckles on the raw beans mix with pigments that spread throughout each bean with the heat, turning it a uniform pinkish-brown; this is a natural process.
Can pinto beans be cooked without soaking?
They can be cooked without soaking, but the cooking time becomes noticeably longer; soaking both shortens the cooking time and makes them easier to digest.
What are pinto beans good for?
They are rich in fiber, plant protein, folate, and iron and are a valuable part of a balanced diet. They are a food and are not claimed to cure any disease.
Can canned pinto beans be used?
Yes, they are a convenient alternative and have similar nutritional values; however, they are generally high in salt, so draining and rinsing them before use is recommended.