Simple Ranch Beans
Savor the hearty, smoky flavors of Simple Ranch Beans, a soul-warming dish perfect for family dinners, backyard barbecues, or potlucks. Made with tender pinto beans simmered to perfection in a rich sauce of tomatoes, aromatic spices, and a hint of smoky bacon, this recipe packs bold taste with minimal effort. The sautéed onions and garlic enhance the depth of flavor, while a touch of smoked paprika and chili powder delivers a subtle, satisfying kick. Ready in just over two hours, this budget-friendly dish is a versatile side or standalone meal. Garnish with crispy bacon crumbles and fresh cilantro for an added layer of texture and flair. Perfect for fans of comfort foods and Tex-Mex cuisine, these Simple Ranch Beans are sure to become a household favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pinto beans
- 6 cups water
- 4 slices bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 14.5-ounce can canned diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons optional chopped cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
Rinse the dried pinto beans under cool running water and sort out any debris or damaged beans.
In a large stockpot, combine the rinsed beans and 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally and add more water if needed to keep the beans submerged.
Once the beans are tender, drain them and set them aside.
In the same pot, cook the bacon slices over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon, let cool, and crumble. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.
Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté in the bacon grease over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Add the diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
Return the cooked beans to the pot along with 2 cups of water. Stir everything together and bring to a gentle simmer.
Cover the pot and cook on low heat for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with crumbled bacon and optional chopped cilantro if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1081 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 27.6 g | 35% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.5 g | 38% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 5855 mg | 255% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 155.5 g | 57% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 54.4 g | 194% | |
| Total Sugars | 18.5 g | ||
| Protein | 57.8 g | 116% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 496 mg | 38% | |
| Iron | 16.0 mg | 89% | |
| Potassium | 3238 mg | 69% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
