Slow-Cooked Pinto Bean Purée
Enjoy a healthier twist on traditional refried beans with this Slow-Cooked Pinto Bean Purée. This recipe retains the authentic flavors while making it lighter and more nutritious. Perfect as a side dish, burrito filling, or even a dip, you can easily customize the spice level by adjusting the jalapeño. Cooked slowly in a crockpot for maximum flavor infusion, this dish is not only easy to prepare but also allows for flexibility based on your dietary preferences. Switch out the water for vegetable broth to enhance taste or keep it simple with water to maintain vegetarian integrity. Each serving of this purée delivers the comforting, creamy texture of refried beans without extra oil or frying, making it a guilt-free delicious addition to any meal.
15
Servings
120
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Onion
1 (peeled and halved)
Dry Pinto Beans
3 cups (rinsed)
Fresh Jalapeño Pepper
1-2 (seeded and chopped)
Minced Garlic
2 tablespoons
Salt
2 1/2 teaspoons
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
1 3/4 teaspoons
Ground Cumin
1/8 teaspoon
Water or Broth
9 cups ((or an equivalent mix of half water and half broth))
Instructions
1
1. In a slow cooker, combine the halved onion, rinsed pinto beans, chopped jalapeño, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and cumin.
2
2. Pour in 9 cups of water (or a mixture of water and broth) and stir the ingredients to ensure they are well mixed.
3
3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on High for 8 hours. Check occasionally, adding more water if necessary to prevent the mixture from drying out.
4
4. After 8 hours, the beans should be tender. Strain the mixture, reserving the cooking liquid separately.
5
5. Use a potato masher to mash the beans until you reach your desired consistency. Add reserved cooking liquid gradually to achieve creaminess as needed.
6
6. Taste the purée and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving.
Nutrition Information
24g
Carbs
7g
Protein
7g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Slow-Cooked Pinto Bean Purée?
It is a healthier, oil-free alternative to traditional refried beans made by slow-cooking pinto beans with aromatics and mashing them to a creamy consistency.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, the recipe is naturally vegetarian, especially when using water or vegetable broth as the liquid base.
How many calories are in one serving of this purée?
Each serving contains approximately 120 calories.
How long does it take to cook the beans?
The beans should be cooked on the High setting in a slow cooker for 8 hours.
Do I need to soak the pinto beans beforehand?
The recipe instructions indicate rinsing the dry beans, but they do not require an overnight soak as they cook for a full 8 hours on high.
Can I use a crockpot for this recipe?
Yes, a crockpot or any standard slow cooker is ideal for this recipe.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The recipe yields approximately 15 servings.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 7 grams of protein per serving.
Is this recipe high in fiber?
Yes, each serving provides 7 grams of dietary fiber.
Can I substitute the water with broth?
Yes, you can use vegetable broth or a mix of half water and half broth to enhance the flavor.
How do I adjust the spice level?
You can customize the heat by using 1 or 2 jalapeño peppers, or by adjusting the amount of seeds included.
What spices are used in this pinto bean purée?
The recipe uses garlic, salt, black pepper, and a touch of ground cumin.
How do I achieve a creamy consistency?
After straining the beans, use a potato masher and gradually add back the reserved cooking liquid until it reaches your desired creaminess.
Is there any oil used in this recipe?
No, this recipe is a guilt-free version that does not use extra oil or frying.
Can I use this purée as a dip?
Absolutely, it works perfectly as a side dish, a burrito filling, or a nutritious dip.
What should I do with the onion?
The onion should be peeled and halved before being placed in the slow cooker with the other ingredients.
How much water is required?
The recipe calls for 9 cups of water or broth.
Do I need to check on the beans while they cook?
It is recommended to check occasionally and add more water if necessary to prevent the mixture from drying out.
What kind of beans are best for this recipe?
Dry pinto beans are the primary ingredient for this specific purée.
How much garlic is included?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of minced garlic.
Can I use this in Mexican cuisine?
Yes, it is designed as a healthy alternative to Mexican-style refried beans.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 24 grams of carbohydrates.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
The nutritional data indicates no significant sugar content.
What equipment do I need to mash the beans?
A standard potato masher is recommended for mashing the tender beans.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Based on the ingredients listed (beans, vegetables, and spices), this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
How much salt is used?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 teaspoons of salt, though you can adjust to taste.
Should the jalapeño be seeded?
The instructions recommend seeding and chopping the jalapeño before adding it to the cooker.
What should I do after the 8 hours of cooking?
Strain the mixture while reserving the liquid, then mash the beans to your preferred texture.
Can I use black pepper?
Yes, the recipe suggests 1 3/4 teaspoons of fresh ground black pepper.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, with 15 servings, it is excellent for preparing in bulk and using throughout the week.