Description
Mexican-inspired slow cooker pinto beans, green chile and beef combine hearty flavors for a comforting meal. Southwest spices and tender meat create a rich, satisfying dish you’ll savor with warm tortillas and fresh toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
- 2 cups (400 g) dried pinto beans, rinsed and sorted
- 4 cups (1 liter) beef or chicken broth
- 1 (14.5 oz / 400 g) can diced tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 (4 oz / 113 g) can diced green chiles
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup (10 g) chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, seasoning with salt and pepper. Drain excess fat and transfer to slow cooker.
- Bean and Vegetable Assembly: Layer pinto beans, onion, garlic, green chiles, and tomatoes in slow cooker, creating a flavor-rich foundation.
- Spice Infusion: Sprinkle cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, and oregano over ingredients. Pour broth and water to completely cover beans and meat.
- Slow Cooking Process: Cover and cook on high for 5-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours until beans become tender and flavors deeply integrate.
- Final Refinement: Assess dish consistency and taste. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If needed, add broth to achieve desired thickness.
- Serving Presentation: Plate the robust mixture, garnishing with fresh cilantro. Serve alongside rice, cornbread, tortillas, or chips for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Prevent Bean Hardness: Avoid adding salt or acidic ingredients like tomatoes before beans are tender, as they can prevent softening and increase cooking time.
- Manage Meat Moisture: Brown ground beef thoroughly to develop rich flavor and eliminate excess fat, ensuring a more concentrated and robust taste profile.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust green chiles and chili powder to control heat intensity, making the dish adaptable for different spice tolerances and preferences.
- Enhance Texture Balance: Monitor liquid levels during cooking, adding extra broth if beans appear dry to maintain a creamy, consistent texture without becoming too thick or pasty.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 56 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg