Did you know that pinto beans are the most consumed beans in the United States? The popular Pinto (Spanish for “painted”) bean has a mottled brown and pink surface that, when cooked, becomes a uniform auburn color. Pintos are high in fiber and protein, and they’re commonly seasoned with chili powder, jalapenos, cumin, onion, and garlic.

Pinto beans are most often thought of as the key ingredient in staples like refried beans and other Latin American and Tex-Mex dishes. While common in tacos, burritos and more, pinto beans are delicious in all kinds of dishes, including many southern, regional favorites such as Appalachian Soup Beans. You’ll also find them in everything from three-bean salads and casseroles to minestrone soup and stews.

Check out some of our most popular pinto bean recipes:

Instant Pot Pinto Beans & Ham Hocks

A favorite from our friend Chef Jennifer Hill Booker, this recipe guarantees a thick, rich pot of pintos.

Soup Beans

This Appalachian dish featuring pinto beans and bacon is simple and homey.

Instant Pot Pinto Bean Chili

A fast and delicious chili recipe that’s great for weeknights as well as gameday gatherings, it’s easy to customize using ground beef or ground turkey.

Slow Cooker Charro Beans

Served warm and with a soupy consistency, frijoles charros (cowboy beans) is a traditional pinto bean dish named for Mexican horsemen, or charros.

Chipotle Pinto Bean Tortilla Soup

This delicious soup is gluten-free, vegetarian, and easy to make. Put out an array of toppings, and let everyone make it their own.