Slow Cooker Pinto Beans

Jul 07, 2026

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Make homemade Slow Cooker Pinto Beans with bacon that taste smoky, hearty, and very tender. Great as a side dish or a main with tortillas or cornbread.

These beans are a great side to just about anything! Try them with my Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas, or they are even great with Southern dishes like Slow Cooker Pulled Pork or Slow Cooker Collard Greens.

Slow cooker pinto beans with a large spoon in it.

Why Make This
Key Ingredients
How to Make Slow Cooker Pinto Beans
Tips & Variations
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Pinto Beans
Should I Soak Beans Before Adding to the Crockpot?
Can I make Pinto Beans in the Crockpot Vegetarian?
How to Store Leftover Pinto Beans
What Other Bean Recipes Can Be Made in a Slow Cooker?
Slow Cooker Pinto Beans Recipe

Why Make This

We love making restaurant-style dishes at home. I hope you give our pinto beans in a crockpot a try!

The slow cooker cooks the beans to perfection, so they’re soft when you get home from work and ready to serve.
The slow-cooking process melds all the flavors together, even better than cooking on the stovetop.
Great to have on hand all week or to freeze for other meals.
Budget-friendly – it only costs about 8 dollars to make.
NO PRESOAKING – Just rinse the beans and add them to the crockpot.

Key Ingredients

You’ll love how simple these ingredients are!

Ingredients for slow cooker pinto beans on a table.

Pinto Beans: We use dried pinto beans for this recipe, which are super cheap.

Chicken broth: I like to use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth because it adds more flavor and pairs well with the beans.

Bacon: A classic ingredient for crockpot pinto beans. It adds richness and a smoked flavor.

Onion: The onion is browned in the bacon drippings. I also use lots of onions in my slow cooker refried beans – it really is the secret ingredient to good beans.

Seasonings: I’ve created the perfect blend to add a touch of spice and plenty of flavor to the beans: onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt.

How to Make Slow Cooker Pinto Beans

Cook up the bacon in a skillet.

Onion cooking in baocn grease in a skillet.

Leave some of the drippings and cook up the onion.

Ingredients for slow cooker pinto beans in a crockpot.

Add the seasonings and chicken broth. Cook until the beans are tender.

Tips & Variations

Make the Beans Creamy: When you cook beans in the crockpot , they don’t boil so they don’t bump into each other and fall apart. To make them creamier, simply smash about a 1/4 of them.

Meat Swap: Use a ham hock, or diced ham instead of bacon, you’ll still get that smoky taste.

Bean Swap: Use black beans or white beans for a change if that’s all you have on hand.

Make it Spicy: Add a chopped poblano pepper or a jalapeño for heat.

A large scoop of slow cooker pinto beans on a spoon.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Pinto Beans

Sides: If you want to make it a complete meal, simply add charred tortillas or cornbread.

Toppings: These beans are seriously great as is; they are full of authentic flavor. If you want to add a topping, cheese, diced sweet onion, or sour cream are great choices.

Mexican Main Dishes: These pinto beans with bacon are a great side dish to my Chile Verde, Slow Cooker Birria, or Slow Cooker Carne Asada.

Southern Main Dishes: Try these beans with Slow Cooker Ribs, or Slow Cooker Pork Chops.

Should I Soak Beans Before Adding to the Crockpot?

No, you do not need to soak beans in the crockpot before adding them. Just be sure to rinse them well and remove any debris. Cooking the beans on high will ensure they cook properly.

Can I make Pinto Beans in the Crockpot Vegetarian?

Yes! It’s a simple swap. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and to add a smoky flavor, add half a teaspoon of hickory liquid smoke.

A serving of slow cooker pinto beans in a bowl with a spoon.

How to Store Leftover Pinto Beans

Pinto beans are great leftovers! Place in the fridge for up to three days or freeze for up to three months. This is not a canning recipe, so freeze or refrigerate instead.

What Other Bean Recipes Can Be Made in a Slow Cooker?

If you enjoyed these Slow Cooker Pinto Beans, be sure to try my Slow Cooker Lima Beans, Slow Cooker Black Beans, and Pinto Beans with Ham. For something even heartier, make 15 Bean Soup with Ham, Refried Bean Soup, or Spicy Pinto Bean Soup next.

If you tried this Slow Cooker Pinto Beans recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Happy Slow Cooking!