This Slow Cooker Pinto Bean Soup is an easy-to-make Southern classic. The flavor profile is very deceiving compared to the ingredients' simplicity. Since becoming a Texas transplant, I've learned much about food; this is one of my favorites! The Midwest has some incredible hidden gems, but not quite as many as Southern comfort food.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This is a very easy recipe to make and is a true southern comfort food. Surprisingly, it has a ton of flavor and is perfect for dipping with a side of raw Sweet Onion and Homemade Cornbread. Beyond all this, it's a very affordable way to feed the whole family, who will be very thankful!
Ingredients
As I previously mentioned, the ingredients for Pinto Bean Soup are straightforward.
All you'll need is...
- Dry Pinto Beans
- 1 Yellow Onion
- Garlic Powder
- Cumin
- Oregano
- Cayenne
- Bay Leaves
- Kosher Salt
- Chicken Stock
- Eckrich Smoked Sausage
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
This is literally a 'set it and forget it' recipe.
Begin by rinsing the beans in a colander the night before. Be sure to remove any rocks or pebbles.
Next, place the beans in a bowl and be sure they're covered with cold water. Soak the beans overnight so they're ready to be cooked in the morning.
The first time I ever did this and saw the bag said to check for pebbles, I was like, what the hell?
I have to go through each of these individual beans and see if they're rocks?
NO! That's not necessary; I've never found a pebble, but if you do, don't eat it!
The following day, Drain the beans and add all the ingredients except the sausage to the slow cooker.
Set it to low for 8 hours.
Once the 8-hour cooking time is up, it's time to add the sausage.
This is where personal preference comes into play.
My Wife likes to slice up the sausage, turn the Slow Cooker off, and stir the sausage into the soup. She allows that to sit for about 15 minutes before serving.
However, I prefer to cook the sausage on the grill for about 30 minutes, then slice it, and serve it on top of the soup. Doing so makes the skin crisp, with an extra smokey open-fire flavor. I also prefer this because visually, I think it looks nicer when served this way.
But you do you! You may also want to try slicing and cooking the sausage in a cast Iron skillet first. This will get all of it nice and crisped up.
Expert Tips
- Try cooking the sausage on a charcoal grill before adding it to the soup for extra flavor and texture.
- If you don't have a grill, the sausage is also very good when sliced and cooked in a skillet first and then added to the soup.
- Don't forget to soak the beans the night before.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. It is safe to cook pinto beans in a slow cooker. Just be sure to soak the beans overnight. If you want to be extra safe in reducing lectin, boil the beans before adding them to the slow cooker, or use canned beans.
Yes. Dried beans can be cooked in a slow cooker, but to reduce the cooking time, you must soak them overnight. You can also boil them prior to adding the beans to the slow cooker recipe.
Canned beans will not get mushy in the slow cooker. They will soak in the flavor of the other herbs and spices while maintaining their shape and texture. However, they will get soft and creamy on the inside, which is exactly what you want.
To thicken pinto bean soup, you can either make a slurry of cornstarch and water or mash some of the beans using a potato masher.
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📖 Recipe
Pinto Bean Soup: Easy Slow Cooker Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Yellow Onion - diced
- 3 Lbs Ekrich Smoked Sausage
- 1 Lb Dry Pinto Beans
- 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp. Cumin
- 1 tsp. Oregano
- 1 tsp. Cayenne
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 2 tsp. Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp. Black Pepper
- 32 Oz Chicken Stock
Instructions
- Soak beans overnight per package instructions.
- Place beans, onions, and dry seasonings into a slow cooker.
- Pour in chicken stock.
- Use water to fill liquid close to the top of your Slow Cooker.
- Cook soup on low for 8 hours.
- Turn off your Slow Cooker and add sliced sausage to the soup.
- Stir in sausage and let sit for about 15 minutes.
- Alternatively: Smoke/Grill Sausage, slice, and serve on top of the soup.
Notes
- Try cooking the sausage on a charcoal grill before adding it to the soup for extra flavor and texture.
- If you don't have a grill, the sausage is also very good when sliced and cooked in a skillet and then added to the soup.
- Don't forget to soak the beans the night before.
Terrie says
The best dried pinto beans are Casserole brand. Dirt and pebble free.
jeremyklae says
Thats great information Terrie! Thank you!