Crock Pot Pinto Beans with Bacon

Make a cozy and flavorful meal with this crock pot pinto beans with bacon recipe. It's easy, comforting, and packed with smoky Southern goodness.

Prep Time3

Cook Time8

Total Time8 3

Course: Main Course, Entree

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Keyword: Main Course, pinto beans, dried beans, slow cooker beans, crock pot beans, Crock Pot pinto beans with bacon

Servings: servings

Calories: 292kcal

Rinse your presoaked beans in clean water, and drain in a colander.
Add all ingredients to the slow cooker: pinto beans, broth, water, bacon, onion, garlic, seasonings, and jalapeno pepper (if using).
Cook on high heat for 4-6 hours, then on low heat for 2 hours. For creamier pinto beans, mash about 1/2 of the beans with a potato masher.
Serve with your favorite toppings like pico de gallo, sour cream, crushed tortilla or corn chips, pepitas, or salsa.

For creamier beans, mash a portion with a potato masher right in the Crock Pot during the last hour of cooking.

Soaking Tips:

According to USDA recommendations, you should soak all dry beans first (see the USDA instructions below), it's important to soak dried legumes before using them in a slow cooker. Skipping this step can affect both safety and texture.

USDA Soaking Methods:

Hot Soak: Combine 1 pound (about 2 cups) with 10 cups of hot water. Bring to a boil, let simmer for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat, cover, and rest for up to 4 hours.
Quick Soak: Use the same ratio of water to legumes, bring to a boil, let simmer for 2–3 minutes, then cover and soak for at least 1 hour.
Overnight Soak: Add 10 cups of cold water per pound and leave covered for at least 8 hours or overnight.

For even better results, stir 1 teaspoon of baking soda and ½ teaspoon of vinegar into the water before soaking.

Recipe Variations:

Crock Pot Pinto Beans with Ham – skip the bacon and swap with 1 cup of ham instead.
Crock Pot Pinto Beans with ham hock – swap the bacon with a ham hock for extra flavor.
Vegetarian Crock Pot Pinto Beans – omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add extra vegetables like carrots, celery, or bell peppers.
Pinto beans and Sausage in Slow Cooker – use 1/2 pound of cooked sausage instead of bacon in the Crock Pot for a hearty meal.

Storing Instructions:

Leftover pinto beans can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. To store, place them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.
You can also freeze Crock Pot pinto beans. To do so, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze them for up to three months.
To reheat, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat on the stove or in the microwave. You may need to add a little water to get them to the desired consistency.