James (papa Cagle - my dear husband) has this delicious Crock Pot Pinto Beans Recipe, that he is famous for. Whenever we visit friends out of town, they are always asking him 'how to cook pinto beans in a crock pot'! They're deliciously creamy and full of meat, a true hearty meal!
The first time I tried this Pinto Beans Recipe I was amazed, because it is one of his great ideas that he threw together one time on a trip to the deer camp. Ever since then he's refined it into this delicious pot of creamy, meaty yumminess.
There's so much flavor from a combination of the beans, smoked sausage and cooking for a long time.
Next time try my Instant Pot White Beans recipe, another truly hearty dish that is best cooked in the instant pot.
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe so yummy
- Do Beans Have To Be Soaked?
- Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
- Recipe Walkthrough: Instructions
- Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Necessary Gear: Equipment
- How to store leftovers
- Mel's Kitchen Notes
- Frequently asked questions: FAQ's
- Perfect pairings: What To Serve With
- Crock Pot Pinto Beans
- Popular Recipes
- 💬 Comments
What makes this recipe so yummy
- This recipe will also work well in a pressure cooker, obviously a big reduction on cooking time.
- The perfect meal to fix it and leave it. Talk about a good smell to come home to.
This was inspired by my recipe for baked beans also on this site, and pairs well with this amazing cornbread recipe.
Do Beans Have To Be Soaked?
They don't HAVE to be soaked, but doing so will shorten the cooking time (especially as we're cooking them in a slow cooker).
I like to soak them overnight then just throw them in in the morning.
However, not to fret if you don't remember. You can still cook them from dry - you'll need to cook them on a high setting though instead.
Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
- Dry Pinto Beans - rinsed, sorted and soaked in a large bowl with cold water.
- Smoked Sausage - we like to use Hillshire smoked sausage.
- Andouille Sausage - a traditional smoked sausage that is full of spices.
- Cooked Ground Meat - we use venison usually, but ground beef is great too.
- Large Sweet Onion - Vidalia onions are my favorite.
- Large Green Bell Pepper
- Celery Stalks
- Garlic Cloves
- Chicken Broth - I like to use homemade (click the link to the left for my recipe) that works amazingly - but store bought is fine otherwise.
- Bay Leaves
- Creole Seasoning - I make my own, see the link.
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Thyme, dried
- Salt and pepper to taste
See recipe card for quantities.
Recipe Walkthrough: Instructions
Step 1: Brown your ground meat.
Step 2: Place beans and all other ingredients to the slow cooker and turn on! That is all that's needed for this recipe.
Hint: Toward the end of the cooking time use a potato masher and mash a few of the beans - it will add creaminess.
Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Canned Beans - if you are short on time and want a similar recipe but using canned beans instead of dried beans you can do so. The sausage will definitely need to be caramelized though, as will the vegetables and reduce the cooking time by a lot.
- Onions - It's not a deal breaker to use yellow onions instead, it won't affect the recipe.
- Vegetarian - You can leave the meat out altogether, if you like. You will have to add some more spices - and use vegetable broth instead.
- Ham Hocks (ham bone) - if you have some those can be added in place of the smoked sausage - they add great flavor.
- Spicy - add some heat to your crock pot beans with some chili powder, hot sauce or even green chile maybe.
- Stove Top - This recipe works fine as a stove top recipe too. Follow the same instructions just reduce the amount of time needed.
- Bacon - crock pot pinto beans with bacon is delicious.
- Leftover Ham - a perfect dish to make with leftover ham.
Necessary Gear: Equipment
I use a 7quart crock pot for this recipe. I have an affiliate link to my favorite type in the recipe card below.
How to store leftovers
After the crock pot pinto beans have cooled completely, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
This recipe holds up well to freezing, store in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Mel's Kitchen Notes
I like to cut the sausages up a little differently so as to be able to distinguish between the two. This way I don't give the kiddos too much heat on their plate. Cutting it up a little smaller helps this too. Everybody loves the regular smoked sausage though.
This is the type of recipe that tastes even better the next day! Cook a day ahead and just heat up when you're ready to eat.
Frequently asked questions: FAQ's
You can take a cup or two out and blend them, then add back... or mash some against the side of the pot toward the end of the cooking time.
Beans have a substance called Phytic Acid which is undigestible for humans. By soaking the beans first it eliminates a lot of this acid. It helps the beans cook quicker too.
Perfect pairings: What To Serve With
As a main course we'd have some barbecue meat and often have southern pinto beans on the side with some rice. It's a delicious side dish and one of our favorite meals. Some extras that pair well:
See my full post on What To Serve With Pinto Beans here. You can also try this Red Beans and Rice with Ham Hocks recipe.
Viral Recipe Alert!
Banana Bread
Due to the secret ingredient in this deliciously moist banana bread it has become one of my most sought after recipes!
Crock Pot Pinto Beans
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Dried Pinto Beans
- 1 Pound Ground Meat
- 1 Each Sweet Onions diced
- 1 Each Green Bell Pepper diced
- 1 Rib Celery diced
- 3 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1 Pound Smoked Sausage
- 1 Link Andouille Sausage
- 3 Each Bay Leaves
- 1 Tablespoon Creole Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 2 teaspoon Dried Thyme dried
- 5 Cups Chicken Broth
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soak Pinto Beans in a few cups of water overnight in water, they should double in size and be tender beans.1 Pound Dried Pinto Beans
- Brown ground meat in a skillet, drain and add to crock pot1 Pound Ground Meat
- Chop all vegetables, add to crock pot1 Each Sweet Onions, 1 Each Green Bell Pepper, 1 Rib Celery, 3 Cloves Garlic
- Add remaining ingredients, including chicken broth.1 Pound Smoked Sausage, 1 Link Andouille Sausage, 3 Each Bay Leaves, 1 Tablespoon Creole Seasoning, 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder, 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder, 2 teaspoon Dried Thyme, 5 Cups Chicken Broth
- Stir until mixed well.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Serve over rice.Salt and Pepper to taste
Notes
Nutrition
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Jamie says
These beans have so much flavor and made my whole house smell amazing while making it! The spices in here are so good. Definitely a keeper!
Bethy says
I stumbled over this recipe and it’s link on Reddit (r/slowcooking) and knew immediately that I would be making it.
I’d never had smoked sausage that o can recall and the blog writer was kind enough to help me pick one out of the brands my store carried.
Long story short, this recipe is DELICIOUS! It’s not only easy to make it has an easy clean up. Win win!
My first time making something like this and my husband and I absolutely LOVED it! We served over white rice and a side salad. My husband wanted a second bowl no rice so he could taste just the dish. This ones a keeper!
I couldn’t find Creole seasoning but a quick googling led me to a blend I could use at home.
Also I didn’t soak the beans ahead of time, just a quick rinse after picking over. They were fine at 8 hours on low.
My brother swears soaking is just to get the farts out but I think it has to do with how fresh the beans are. Just my theory.
I’ve saved this recipe because I definitely will want to do it again!
Bethy says
Also, I used my own chicken stock I made and had on in the freezer. So worth it!
Melanie Cagle says
Bethy,
Thank you so much for the review... I'm just so glad you enjoyed it as much as we do! (can't comment on the farts - not heard that one but that's hilarious!)
Jessie says
OMG!!! This was so good and I was so hungry all day long smelling it. But it was so worth its.
veenaazmanov says
This is definitely a comforting meal option. Full of nutrition, flavor and creaminess. I love the Crock pot cooking option. Makes life easier.
Anjali says
These pinto beans turned out perfectly in my slow cooker!! They were flavorful, hearty and delicious!
Melanie Cagle says
Some people like to caramelize them first in a skillet, it adds another flavor dimension.... however, they're just as good just thrown in there. I usually am short on time 😉
Thanks for asking though!
Marisa F Stewart says
I guess I can say I'm an Honorary Southerner -- we spend about half the year there. And, yes, this is truly a recipe the Southerners would love. I made it for our family gathering and everyone couldn't get enough of it. Of course I did make some Corn bread to go along with it. So very satisfying and hearty. It was so easy making it the the slow cooker -- helps to keep the kitchen cool and the cook fresh and sassy!! Thank you -- I've printed out the recipe and keeping it in a safe place.
Jarrod says
I am making our third batch of these right now and the house smells fantastic! Can't wait till we get to sit down for another bowl of these beans. I stick to your recipe with minimal modifications. I omit the celery just because it competes against the bean flavor for my palate. I love celery in everything otherwise. The other modification is I use 1/2lb ground beef and 1/2 lb Jimmy Dean ground sage sausage.
I serve these over piping hot homemade cornbread cooked in an iron skillet with a dash of Trappey's Tabasco vinegar sauce. My wife and I absolutely love these. I have added a handful of fresh chopped kale as well when on hand and I like the texture it adds, but it is not needed at all. It is still awesome without that. Thank you.
Melanie Cagle says
Sounds delicious, thanks for the review!
Lori says
I added green chilies and paired with green chili corn bread made in the skillet.
Melanie Cagle says
Sounds delicious!
Paula Washington says
This recipe is Amazing! I've made this twice and have another in the crock pot as I write. Seasoning are on point, but I use leftover frozen ham (from Easter) because my husband doesn't eat beef and it taste even better. Thank you for this recipe.
Melanie Cagle says
That's great Paula, glad you enjoy it!
Amy says
Do they turn out the same if cooked on high for four hours in the crockpot?
Melanie Cagle says
If they have been soaked overnight, then the four hours on high will probably work. I just love the flavor of a good pinto beans recipe when they're cooked low and slow...
Jennifer says
Made this today with ground turkey and turkey smoked sausage and it was delicious!!! Will make this a regular on our dinner rotation😋
Melanie Cagle says
Thanks Jennifer, glad you liked it!!
Glenda Parker says
When do you put the bay leaves in?
Melanie Cagle says
You would add the bay leaves with all the other ingredients. Remove them once you're ready to serve.
Fran says
I have this in my crockpot right now it’s almost done and I can’t wait I used smoked sausage and I cooked them for 5 hours on High
Rachel Jackson says
I don't have any creole seasoning, but I do have Cajun seasoning. Would that work? What are the differences?
Melanie Cagle says
Hi Rachel, Cajun seasoning is a perfect alternative. The difference between the two is that Cajun seasoning can have more ground peppers in there, whereas Creole seasoning has more ground herbs like oregano and thyme.
Sheila says
Is a “link” half of the smoked sausage or all of it? Since it comes in a u shaped I wasn’t sure if it need to use all.
Melanie Cagle says
Hi Sheila, no, it's not half. It's the full 'U-shaped' link!
Morgan says
For freezing this meal for later, do you cook it through entirely then freeze?
Then for warming back up, do you put it back in the crock pot on low for 4 hours? Or how do you suggest reheating?
Melanie Cagle says
Yes, it's best to freeze it after they have cooked entirely. You could either reheat one portion at a time in the microwave, or you could add back to the crock pot but the pinto beans will only need to be heated through to eat them. 4 hours on low may do it - it could be a bit less time needed than that though. The crock pot pinto beans really reheat well and taste awesome as leftovers!
Victoria says
Wow!!! I just had to leave a review for this recipe. I am making these beans for dinner tonight and I have been smelling them all day. I finally couldn't resist and had to sneak a taste before serving my family and they are absolutely delicious! What a great comforting smell in the house, and they taste even better! I can't wait til the rice is done so I can try them with it, but even just on their own, this is a 5 star recipe that I will definitely be making again and again! And the prep couldn't be easier, I only spent about 20 minutes this morning chopping and cleaning up and the crock pot has done the rest. Thanks so much!!!
Melanie Cagle says
Hi Victoria! Thanks so much for the review, I know what you mean about the comforting smell in the house - for some reason crock pot pinto beans just have this delicious aroma that makes you desperate to try them! We're making them tomorrow for the football games 😉
Halie says
Do you think this would freeze well?
Melanie Cagle says
Yes, crock pot pinto beans do freeze well. I have done so many times with our leftovers!
Lewis says
Just made this tonight. Tastes delicious but it’s so mushy! There’s also no liquid left, is this correct? I would love to try again and get it right!
Melanie Cagle says
That doesn't sound right. Did you perhaps stir it a lot during the cooking process (which will also let a lot of the steam out each time). My crock pot pinto beans are just about perfect every time.
Jacob says
If I’m using beans that are already cooked how long would you say in the crockpot 2 to 4 hours?
Melanie Cagle says
If the pinto beans are already cooked, then yes, 2-4 hours will probably do it. It would be the other ingredients that still need to cook down some though.
Jinna says
If using canned beans, would you still make the rest as listed and then just add in the beans closer to the end? I so want this for dinner tonight, lol. I have everything BUT the soaked beans 🫘 😩
Melanie Cagle says
I haven't made it like that, but it sounds like it should work?
Kayla Whetzel says
How long would this recipe take in the pressure cooker?
Melanie Cagle says
The last time I cooked my pinto beans in a pressure cooker I want to say it only took about 30 minutes - this was after they were soaked too.... let me know if you do this, I'd love to know how they come out.
Shanita says
Delicious!
Shelley says
I wanted a Pinto bean recipe that was not flavored with Mexican spices. This one hit the mark! My beans were kind of old so even after soaking overnight I had to cook these for about 13 hours on low. I was worried that they would never get tender but they did and they were so delicious! Even though the only meat I used was a pound of smoked sausage, these beans ended up perfectly creamy and so so good! This will be my go-to when I want smoky, perfectly seasoned beans rather than Mexican (which we also love). Thanks for a wonderful keeper recipe!
Melanie Cagle says
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe Shelley, thanks for the kind comment and rating.