Pinto beans belong to a class of beans, referred to as “common beans,” alongside kidney, navy, and black beans. Pinto, which means painted or spotted, actually describes the bean’s appearance before cooking. Similar to the markings of a pinto horse, pinto beans have a mottled appearance from darker reddish brown spots on a lighter brownish beige background, thus appearing painted or spotted. Pinto beans and other common beans were first introduced to Europeans in the 15th century.

When cooked, pinto beans loose their mottled appearance and take on a pinkish tinge. Pinto beans are commonly served alongside rice and are also mashed into refried beans, the common base filling of burritos. Pinto beans are the most widely consumed bean in the United States and because they are one of the most inexpensive forms of protein, are widely consumed throughout the word.

As with most bean varieties, pinto beans pack a pretty big assortment of nutritional value in such a little bean. They are rich in cholesterol-lowering fiber, folate, tryptophan, and protein and have health benefits that include improved heart health.

Pinto beans are readily available in any supermarket and can be bought dry or canned. Unlike some canned vegetables and fruits, canned beans retain most of their nutritional value in comparison to being prepared and consumed fresh. When purchasing dried pinto beans, they can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry location for several months. When preparing dried beans, follow the directions on the package for rinsing and cooking.

While pinto beans are a common additive to Mexican style dishes, they can also be prepared and served with cooked rice, used in addition or as a replacement to kidney beans in chili, put in vegetable soup for added fiber and protein, and numerous other recipes. Mashed pinto beans combine well with tomatoes, sage, onion, and garlic to make a spread for crackers, chips, or deli breads. Pinto beans being an excellent source of fiber and protein, they are also ideal for meat-free meal preparation.