Description
Hearty Mexican Pinto Bean Stew delivers robust flavors from southwestern culinary traditions. Rich ingredients blend seamlessly, offering home cooks a comforting meal you’ll savor with each satisfying spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 ml/16 fl oz) dry pinto beans
- 8 cups (1.9 liters/64 fl oz) water, plus more as needed
- ½ white onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeño pepper, diced
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp sea salt, plus more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Chili powder, to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, plus more to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Bean Preparation: Meticulously sift through pinto beans, discarding any damaged or foreign objects, then rinse thoroughly under cold water until liquid runs clear.
- Sautéing Foundation: Heat avocado oil in a large pot over medium flame, gently caramelizing onions until they transform into a translucent, soft canvas, then introduce ground cumin to awaken its aromatic potential.
- Liquid Infusion: Add pre-soaked beans, water, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper, creating a harmonious flavor landscape that will simmer and develop depth.
- Slow Transformation: Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce to a gentle, barely bubbling simmer, allowing beans to slowly tenderize and develop a luxurious, creamy texture over 60-90 minutes.
- Flavor Amplification: Incorporate lime juice and optional jalapeño, then fine-tune the seasoning with additional chili powder to elevate the stew’s complexity and warmth.
- Final Presentation: Garnish with vibrant, freshly chopped cilantro, serving immediately or storing in sealed containers for future enjoyment, with options for refrigeration or freezing.
Notes
- Inspect Beans Thoroughly: Remove any stones, discolored beans, or debris to ensure a clean, high-quality base for your stew.
- Soak Overnight: Allow beans to hydrate completely, reducing cooking time and improving digestibility by breaking down complex sugars.
- Monitor Liquid Levels: Check water periodically during simmering, adding more if needed to prevent beans from drying out or burning.
- Adjust Seasoning Carefully: Taste and season gradually, as beans absorb flavors slowly and can become oversalted if not balanced thoughtfully.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg