You ask me and I answer, that is how this website thing works. More than once, someone has asked, “HOW TO COOK CANNED PINTO BEANS”? I always answer by email, but today I am answering here, “HOW TO COOK CANNED PINTO BEANS”.
Perhaps you already know how to cook canned pinto beans. If so, good for you! You are excused and I hope you will go read a different page on this website. The recipe for my Chocolate Cake is GREAT and for a more advanced cook. How about giving these Marinated Pork Chops a try – yum! These Cowboy Baked beans are the bomb!
Maybe you are saying to yourself, Loaves and Dishes is about home made foods from scratch. While that is true, it is also true that sometimes people need a little help catching up in order to gain kitchen confidence.

Side shot – hello beans!
SEARCHING BROUGHT ME HERE…
So, if you were searching for “How to cook canned pinto beans” and it brought you to Loaves and Dishes then I offer a BIG WELCOME! I hope you will stick around, sign up for the newsletter and let me show you some other things that you can accomplish in the kitchen!
One day I hope you will be cooking Pinto beans from dried beans on your stove top, in the crock pot or in the pressure cooker. Those recipes can wait for another day though, first, let’s conquer how to cook canned pinto beans !
HAVE YOU BEEN DOCTORING YOUR PINTO BEANS?…
If you have been doctoring up your canned pinto beans for a long time, please leave me a comment below and let me know what you add to pinto beans to make them taste just right?
I would LOVE to see what you did with your pinto beans, please tag me on social media so I can visit you and leave you a big “HOOT HOOT!!”.
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Magic Bean pot
THE STEPS FOR DOCTORING CANNED PINTO BEANS…
Is doctoring the right word? I don’t know, that is what my grandma, mom and aunt always called it. Anyway, I’m hoping you know what I mean by saying, “Canned beans need a little doctoring”.
You will need to…
- Add some oil or butter or both.
- Try adding flavor items (like bacon, onion, garlic)
- Definitely add some seasoning (salt and pepper)
- Most canned veggies need a little sugar, seriously, add just a tad.
- That’s it! You are good to go!
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR HOW TO COOK CANNED PINTO BEANS
- It is important to do your cooking math! One can of beans feeds about 2 people, so if you are feeding more people simply divide the number of people you have by 2 and that’s how many cans you need.
- Just increase the other ingredients by however many cans of beans you need to use to feed your family.
- Always drain the liquid off of the pinto beans before doing anything else. Some might say there is flavor in that liquid, but honestly, most of the time I think that liquid doesn’t taste very good. It isn’t the type of flavor I look for in my bean recipes!
- Rinse the beans too if the liquid looks really thick and sticky. Sometimes it does. I don’t know why this happens, but if you are in question, then put your beans in a colander or strainer and rinse them off with cold tap water.
- In the recipe, I give instructions for adding onion, garlic and bacon. All of those are great ingredients but not entirely necessary if you don’t have them available. What is necessary is salt, pepper and a tiny bit of sugar.
CANNED PINTO BEANS…
- Canned beans are already cooked enough. You actually could just eat them right out of the can but who would want to do that? We want to add a little flavor here instead.
- There is a tiny bit of hot sauce in my beans which isn’t enough hot sauce to burn your mouth, it is enough to give your tongue something interesting to experience. If you are sensitive to hot stuff, feel free to leave it off.
- When you serve your pinto beans, keep in mind that a lot of people like fresh chopped onion and hot sauce with their beans. This adds a little crunch and spice to the beans and is a nice addition. How about adding some crunchy bacon sprinkled on top for another nice addition?
- You are going to be asking yourself, “Why in the world would I add sugar to beans?”. I’ll just give you the final answer, our tongues like to taste a little something sweet combined with salty and smoky, it just makes everything turn out right.
Hello Pinto Beans!
IF YOU ENJOYED HOW TO COOK CANNED PINTO BEANS, YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY THESE SUPER SIMPLE RECIPES….
MORE PINTO BEANS RECIPES FROM LOAVES AND DISHES!
The Secret to Perfect Old Fashioned Pinto Beans
How to Cook Pinto Beans on the Stovetop
TOOLS I USE IN MY KITCHEN
A good can opener is imperative in the kitchen and is especially important for HOW TO COOK CANNED PINTO BEANS! Years ago I had a dollar store can opener and it was a pain to use every single time I used it.
I finally resorted to opening cans with a big old kitchen knife (I am not kidding). Do not do such a dangerous thing! Just spend a few dollars and get a good can opener. I have this Kitchen Aid opener (I bought mine at Marshalls) and have had it for about 6 years, still works great. (This is an affiliate link and you can click the photo to go straight through to Amazon to look at it and compare prices)
Would You Love to Cook the PERFECT Southern Dinner?
IMAGINE YOU, COOKING THESE! YOU CAN DO IT TOO!
Served with (choose one)
Chicken Pie or
And…
Add A little Yum Yum Sauce
Deviled Eggs made with this Easy Peel Hard Boiled Egg
And finish it all off with…
YA’LL HELP ME OUT NOW, YA HEAR?
Please leave me a 5 star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 comment below in the comment section, all right? I would LOVE to know if you made this recipe or even if you are planning to! Of course, head on over to Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram and tag me with some photos of your creation!
I can’t wait!
Ya’ll know I love your comments!! ❤
THE RECIPE FOR HOW TO COOK CANNED PINTO BEANS

HOW TO COOK CANNED PINTO BEANS
Ingredients
- 1 tbs cooking oil
- ½ inch slice of yellow onion - chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 slice of bacon - cut into 1 inch pieces
- 15 oz can pinto beans
- 1/2 cup water ***See Pro Tip***
- 1 tbs unsalted butter
- ½ tsp white granulated sugar
- ½ tsp hot sauce
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a saucepan, heat 1 tbsp cooking oil over medium heat. When the oil is shimmery on the top add the chopped onion and garlic and saute until soft and nearly see through (about 2 minutes)
- Add the bacon and cook together until the bacon is soft and nearly done.
- Drain the liquid from the can of pinto beans
- Now Add the pinto beans to the sauce pan and continue to heat over medium heat.
- Add 1/2 cup fresh water to the pinto beans
- Put the butter, sugar, hot sauce, salt and pepper in and heat till bubbly.
- Taste before serving and add more salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped onion and hot sauce
Notes
- It is important to do your cooking math! One can of beans feeds about 2 people, so if you are feeding more people simply divide the number of people you have by 2 and that's how many cans you need.
- Just increase the other ingredients by however many cans of beans you need to use to feed your family.
- Always drain the liquid off of the pinto beans before doing anything else. Some might say there is flavor in that liquid, but honestly, most of the time I think that liquid doesn’t taste very good. It isn’t the type of flavor I look for in my bean recipes!
- Rinse the beans too if the liquid looks really thick and sticky. Sometimes it does. I don’t know why this happens, but if you are in question, then put your beans in a colander or strainer and rinse them off with cold tap water.
- In the recipe, I give instructions for adding onion, garlic and bacon. All of those are great ingredients but not entirely necessary if you don’t have them available. What is necessary is salt, pepper and a tiny bit of sugar.
Nutrition
A VERSE TO SHARE
Luke 6: 27-36
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.Do to others as you would have them do to you.
IF YOU LOVE THOSE WHO LOVE YOU…
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.
Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Pam
Sunday 30th of April 2023
Great flavor from canned beans. Never would have thought they could taste this good! Thank you
Wendi Spraker
Monday 1st of May 2023
So glad you enjoyed them!
ann
Friday 6th of January 2023
For flavor, cumin and epazote is a must. Epazote can be found at Latin/Mexican grocers or ordered online. It has a unique flavor and is supposed to cut down on the "gassiness" of beans. Instead of hot sauce, I like to add chopped fresh serranos or jalapenos along with some vinegar.
Jane
Sunday 23rd of October 2022
I do exactly what you said about draining and rinsing. Then I add some liquid coconut aminos (you could use soy sauce but the liquid aminos have a better flavor and are better for you). And some water or chicken broth, minced garlic and chopped green pepper. Cook long enough for green pepper to soften. Sometimes I get the pinto beans with jalapeños and still add everything above.
Wendi Spraker
Monday 24th of October 2022
Hi Jane, Thanks for your twist on this recipe. Canned beans are very good with a little "doctoring". That's for sure! I know yours taste great!
Belinda
Sunday 10th of July 2022
What’s the size of the can of beans?
Wendi Spraker
Monday 11th of July 2022
15 oz size
Karl
Saturday 9th of July 2022
My cardiologist wants me to eat what seems to be only beans and rice, and oats! I’ve been looking for I-don’t-know-how-long, how to make or flavor canned pinto beans and rice without using broth and obscure or expensive ingredients, and there you come - like magic! I will be making this weekly! Thank you! Karl in California
ann
Friday 6th of January 2023
@Karl, I hope you're eating low sodium or no-salt-added beans since your cardiologist wants you to eat more. Those are easy to find in most big grocery retailers.
Linda
Monday 18th of July 2022
@Karl, curious as to why rice?
Wendi Spraker
Monday 11th of July 2022
I'm glad you found what you needed.