Pinto beans are the most popular dried beans in the U.S. This is not without good reason. Pinto beans are versatile (you can serve mashed pinto beans as an appetizer or add pinto beans to soups, salads, and main dishes), easy to prepare, and relatively inexpensive. Pinto beans are also loaded with nutrients like vitamin B1, iron, and magnesium. Plus, because pinto beans are rich in protein and fiber (nutrients that lead to increased feelings of fullness) and low in calories, they can help promote weight loss.
We reviewed dozens of pinto bean products to find the ones that taste the best. But taste wasn’t the only factor we considered in our research. We also looked at factors such as price, type (i.e., dried or canned), texture, ingredients (where applicable), and sustainability hallmarks. In the end, we settled on five top-rated pinto bean products. All five of our chosen pinto bean products are available for purchase on Amazon.
Following our thorough research, we chose the Iberia Pinto Beans as the best pinto beans overall. These grade one pinto beans are grown in the U.S., taste fresh, and cook quickly. Because they also come in a large, four-pound bag, they’re great value, as well.
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The 5 Top-Rated Pinto Beans
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Pinto Beans Overall | Iberia Pinto Beans | 4.5 |
| Best Organic Pinto Beans | Food to Live Organic Pinto Beans | 4.6 |
| Best Budget Pinto Beans | Angelina’s Gourmet Pinto Beans | 4.1 |
| Best Flavored Pinto Beans | Ranch Style Beans | 4.5 |
| Best Dehydrated Refried Pinto Beans | Trinidad Benham CookQuik Dehydrated Refried Pinto Beans | 4.4 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Pinto Beans Overall: Iberia Pinto Beans
For a large quantity of high-quality pinto beans at a reasonable price, look no further than the U.S.-grown Iberia Pinto Beans. According to Iberia, their grade one pinto beans (the highest grade of beans) are harvested at the peak of freshness hence their delicious homegrown flavor.
These beans are low in sodium (15 milligrams per serving) and contain no cholesterol, additives, or preservatives. They also don’t contain any of the eight U.S. major allergens. Even though most customers say that these pinto beans are pretty clean, they’re a natural agricultural product. As such, it’s important that you give them a rinse to remove small stones and soil before you cook them.
Iberia Pinto Beans are easy to prepare. They cook quite quickly (about 40 minutes if you’ve soaked them for three to eight hours beforehand), too. These beans come in a four-pound bag and have a good shelf life (about two to three years).
Iberia Pinto Beans Key Features:
- 4-pound bag
- Grown in the U.S.
- Free of additives and 8 of U.S. major allergens
Best Organic Pinto Beans: Food to Live Organic Pinto Beans
Looking for organic pinto beans? These pinto beans by Food to Live are A Bee Organic certified, so you can rest easy knowing that they’re 100% free from GMOs, nitrates, and other potentially dangerous toxins and contaminants.
The Food to Live Organic Pinto Beans come in a three-pound bag, require no special storing conditions and can last for months (especially if you store them in an airtight container in a dark, cool place). You can also freeze these beans to increase their shelf-life. According to customers, these pinto beans are clean, have tender, thin skin, and cook very fast. They remain intact when cooked and have a creamy texture.
These beans are also sproutable. Sprouting pinto beans makes them more nutrient-dense and easier to digest. When sprouted, pinto beans cook faster (between 15 and 20 minutes). The product page not only gives you clear instructions on how to sprout pinto beans but outlines other ways you can use the beans, as well.
Food to Live Organic Pinto Beans Key Features:
- 3-pound bag
- A Bee Organic certified
- Fast cooking time
Best Budget Pinto Beans: Angelina’s Gourmet Pinto Beans
If you want to stock up on pinto beans, consider buying Angelina’s Gourmet Pinto Beans. These beans come in a 25-pound bag and will, therefore, last you months, if not years (depending on how often you eat pinto beans, of course). As such, these pinto beans are great value for money.
Like many other pinto beans, these beans are also non-GMO and Kosher Parve Certified. The beans are totally sodium-free and contain just one gram of sugar per serving (a serving is a quarter of a cup). Each serving has 120 calories, 7 grams of protein, and 5 grams of dietary fiber.
According to customer reviews, Angelina’s Gourmet Pinto Beans cook quickly and have a wonderfully creamy texture. A staple food, you can use these pinto beans to make dips, soups, and stews. The product description also suggests seasoning the beans with dried chile peppers before simmering them for a spicy side dish.
Angelina’s Gourmet Pinto Beans Key Features:
- 25-pound bag
- Sodium-free
- Non-GMO and Kosher Parve Certified
Best Flavored Pinto Beans: Ranch Style Beans
These beans come in a unique blend of spices, which gives them a spicy Southwestern flavor. Since the beans are ready to eat, you don’t need to soak or cook them to enjoy. Simply heat the beans in the microwave or on a stovetop to enjoy them as a delicious side dish in just a few minutes. You can also add these beans to soups, nachos, and tacos for a creamy texture.
Because these beans are pre-made and flavored, the ingredients list is a bit longer than if you were to buy regular canned beans. The ingredients include not only pinto beans but also water, tomato puree, vegetable oils, animal fat, salt, sugar, spices, onion powder, distilled vinegar, garlic powder, oleoresin paprika, natural flavor, and soy lecithin.
The Ranch Style Beans contain 460 milligrams of sodium and 2 grams of sugar per serving. When you buy Ranch Style Beans, you get 12 cans of pinto beans in total. Each can contains 15 ounces of pinto beans. Although the product description refers to these beans as black beans, they’re actually pinto beans.
Ranch Style Beans Key Features:
- 12 cans (15 ounces each)
- Ready to eat
- Seasoned
Best Dehydrated Refried Pinto Beans: Trinidad Benham CookQuik Dehydrated Refried Pinto Beans
Great for when you’re in a hurry, the Trinidad Benham CookQuik Dehydrated Refried Pinto Beans are super quick and easy to make. All you have to do is bring a few cups of water to a boil, add the contents of the package, and allow it to simmer for about five minutes. You can add seasoning to taste (like garlic and chopped jalapenos) and decrease or increase water ratio until you reach your desired consistency. These beans are also great for camping trips.
According to Trinidad Benham, these beans have all-natural, vegetarian ingredients (just pinto beans and salt). That being said, some customers noted that the beans include soybean oil and preservatives, as well.
These beans come in a pack of six. Each pouch contains just under two pounds of beans (so, in total, you get over 11 pounds of refried beans). The beans store well and should be good for at least a year (just make sure to check the “best before” date on the packet).
Trinidad Benham CookQuik Dehydrated Refried Pinto Beans Key Features:
- Pack of 6 (about 2 pounds each)
- Ready to eat in 5 minutes
- Store well
Pinto beans are great for adding protein and flavor to all of your meals. With so many options out there (dried, refried, canned, and flavored among many others), you’re not going to get bored of them any time soon, either. If you get tired of cooking, though, check out our review of the best grocery delivery services.
