Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Beef
27 Comments Dec 30, 2016
Updated Jun 24, 2025
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Do you love homemade pinto beans? Then you will LOVE this Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Beef. Instead of using ham or bacon to flavor the beans, we make this a complete meal by using a chuck roast.
This Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Beef recipe will not disappoint. I did not go the chili route when seasoning this, I did a mild seasoning just to bring out the flavor of the beans and beef. I love homemade pinto beans, especially if they are creamy. When cooking pinto beans on the stove-top they end up being creamy, because of the stirring that the stove-top beans require. To get this creamy effect in the slow cooker I take out a cup or more of beans after they are done cooking and put them in a bowl, I mash them up, them stir them back into the rest of the beans, problem solved!
If you plan on making these beans be sure to read that the pinto beans need to be soaked overnight, doing this will help the beans get nice and tender during the cooking the next day. If you forget to soak, it would be best to do a quick soak method before adding the beans to the slow cooker.
This meal doesn’t need much for serving after it’s done cooking. Just tortilla chips and Monterey Jack cheese was a great match for our tastes.
Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Beef
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dried pinto bean beans, see directions for soaking overnight
- 3 lbs. beef chuck roast
- 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 3 beef bouillon cubes
- 1 poblano pepper, diced
- 1 cup red onion, diced
- 2 tsp. garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp. cumin
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 cup beer, can use additional water instead
- 4 cups water
- 1/8 tsp. salt, to taste; add at the end
Options for Serving
- tortilla chips
- Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
Instructions
Preparing the Beans
- The night before you are ready to cook this, add the pinto beans to the slow cooker.
- Cover with a few inches of water.
- Do not turn on the slow cooker, let the beans soak overnight in the water.
Preparing the Beans and Beef
- In the morning drain the water off the pinto beans.
- In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, add the oil.
- Once hot, brown the chuck roast on all sides. Set aside.
- Add the beef bouillon cubes, poblano pepper, onion, garlic, bay leaves, pepper, oregano, cumin, and cayenne pepper to the slow cooker along with the drained beans.
- Pour in the water and beer, stir.
- Add in the browned beef.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 10 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- When the cooking time is up, remove the bay leaves and discard.
- Remove the chuck roast, shred and discard fat. Set aside for a moment.
- Degrease the pinto beans by laying paper towels over the top of the beans, and pull up quickly. Discard the paper towels.
- Take about 1 cup of the beans and some broth out into a small bowl, using a fork or a potato masher, mash up those beans, add them back into the slow cooker with the rest of the beans.
- Add the shredded meat back in, stir well.
- Season with salt to taste.
- Serve with tortilla chips and shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More bean recipes:
Spicy Pinto Beans and Crockpot Charro Beans bring bold, smoky flavors with a kick—perfect as a side for Mexican dishes or grilled meats.
For something creamy and comforting, Slow Cooker Refried Beans and Refried Bean Soup are easy, flavorful options that pair well with tacos, rice, or as a dip.
Hearty and satisfying, Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Ham and classic Ham and Beans make great slow-cooked meals using pantry staples and leftover ham.
If you’re feeding a crowd, Slow Cooker Baked Beans are always a hit with their sweet, savory, and smoky flavor profile.
When do I add the overnight soaked beans into the crockpot? When I add the meat? In the middle of the cooking time? I guess I’m unsure how the beans get cooked? Especially before getting the fat off and mashing a cup of them?
The beans cook from the beginning with the beef. I soak the beans overnight in the slow cooker (off), drain the water in the morning, then continue with the recipe.
Loved this
Can I use canned pintos instead of dry? Or dry best?
You can, I’m unsure exactly what the recipe would be without testing it.
What temp should the crop pot be on low med hi cooking them over night in a crop pot I did not have time to boil the beans first
On high would be best.
After you mash the cup of beans and replace back to the slow cooker, how long to slow cook until the beans get creamy.
The mashed beans are what make the sauce creamy. If your beans need to be softened more I’d cook 1-2 hours more.