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Baja Pinto Beans

Baja Pinto Beans

Try these awesome Baja Pinto Beans, healthy and tasty, plus cheap. Pinto Beans are a part of everyday eating in the Southwest. Frijoles are served either soupy in broth or mashed and fried (frijoles refritos- or refried beans).

A 1-cup serving of pinto beans contains about 250 calories. Pinto beans are small, but they contain impressive doses of certain vitamins and minerals. With just 2.5 grams of fat per 1-cup serving, pinto beans are a low-fat addition to your healthy eating plan.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup chopped white onion
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 large jalapeño chili with seeds, cut lengthwise in half
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano (preferably Mexican)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 9 1/2 cups water
  • 1 pound dried pinto beans, rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, chili, dried oregano, and ground cumin; sauté 1 minute. Add 9 1/2 cups water and the dried pinto beans. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 1 hour.
  2. Discard chili. Add sugar and salt to bean mixture. Simmer uncovered over medium heat until beans are tender and almost all liquid has evaporated, about 1 hour longer. Remove from heat. Using potato masher, coarsely mash most of beans. Season with additional salt, if desired.

Notes

How to Store:

Store leftover Baja Pinto Beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They also freeze well—portion them into freezer-safe containers, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, simply thaw and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.