Slow Cooker Southern Pinto Beans (No Pre-Soak)

By: Shannon Epstein

 This slow cooker Southern pinto beans recipe is budget-friendly, flavorful, and easy to make. The best part…you do not need to pre-soak the pinto beans! With this hearty pinto bean recipe, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. Set-it-and-forget-it while perfectly tender and flavorful beans cook with minimal effort! Instructions to make this no pre-soak pinto beans recipe in the Instant Pot are also included.

overhead shot of cooked Slow Cooker Southern Pinto Beans with smoked turkey in a black slow cooker with a wooden spoon

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Pinto Beans 

  • Dry Pinto Beans
  • Smoked Turkey or Ham Hock
  • Water or Broth
  • Onion
  • Bell Pepper
  • Bay Leaf
  • Seasonings: Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme, pepper, salt 

collage of ingredients for Slow Cooker Southern Pinto Beans

How To Make Slow Cooker Pinto Beans 

Slow Cooker

  1. Rinse the pinto beans. No need to pre-soak.
  2. Add the pinto beans, broth, water, onion, bell pepper, Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme, pepper, and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well. Nestle in the smoked meat. 
  3. Cook HIGH 4-5 hours or LOW 8-10.

Instant Pot

  1. Rinse the pinto beans peas. No need to pre-soak.
  2. Add the pinto beans, broth, water, onion, bell pepper, Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme, pepper, and bay leaf. Stir to mix well. Nestle in the smoked meat. 
  3. Close lid and seal valve. Cook high pressure for 40 minutes. Natural release pressure for 10 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.

FAQs & Tips

What are pinto beans?

They are rich in fiber, protein, fiber, and other essential nutrients. Serve pinto beans as a side dish, main course, or in other recipes like burritos. 

How do you clean the dry pinto beans for this recipe? 

Place the dry beans in a colander or strainer. Pick out any broken pinto beans or rocks. Rinse the beans well with cold water.

Do you need to pre-soak the pinto beans?

Nope! That’s the benefit of using the slow cooker or Instant Pot. No pre-soaking required! With the slow cooker, this does mean a longer cooking time. 

Do you have to use smoked meat? 

You do not! Make this a meatless or vegan pinto beans recipe by simply omitting the smoked meat. For vegan, you will also need to use vegetable broth.  

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover crockpot pinto beans in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

What size slow cooker should you use?

I used a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot.

overhead shot of cooked Slow Cooker Southern Pinto Beans with smoked turkey in a black slow cooker with a wooden spoon

Dry Bean Recipes

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Slow Cooker Southern Pinto Beans (No Pre-Soak)

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This slow cooker Southern pinto beans recipe is budget-friendly, flavorful, and easy to make. The best part…you do not need to pre-soak the pinto beans! With this hearty pinto bean recipe, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. Set-it-and-forget-it while perfectly tender and flavorful beans cook with minimal effort! Instructions to make this no pre-soak pinto beans recipe in the Instant Pot are also included.

  • Author: Shannon Epstein
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 16 ounces dry pinto beans
  • 1 pound smoked turkey or ham hock
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 small bell pepper, diced
  • 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt to taste

Instructions

Slow Cooker

  1. Rinse the pinto beans. No need to pre-soak.
  2. Add the pinto beans, broth, water, onion, bell pepper, Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme, pepper, and bay leaf to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well. Nestle in the smoked meat.
  3. Cook HIGH 4-5 hours or LOW 8-10.

Instant Pot

  1. Rinse the pinto beans peas. No need to pre-soak.
  2. Add the pinto beans, broth, water, onion, bell pepper, Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme, pepper, and bay leaf . Stir to mix well. Nestle in the smoked meat.
  3. Close lid and seal valve. Cook high pressure for 40 minutes. Natural release pressure for 10 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.

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Meet The Author

Hi, I’m a home cook from Los Angeles. I received a slow cooker as a wedding gift in 2011, but it wasn’t until six months later, facing my highest weight and hypertension, that I started using it. Follow me to learn more about my journey to healthier living and discover delicious recipes along the way.

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