Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Pinto Beans with Chorizo and Chipotle

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-15 · Updated 2026-05-15

Hearty pinto beans slow-cooked with smoky chorizo, chipotle peppers, and traditional Tex-Mex spices for a rich and flavorful side or main dish. This Mexican-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 435 minutes, pairs dry pinto beans, Mexican chorizo, medium yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb dry pinto beans
• 8 oz Mexican chorizo
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 2 peppers minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 lb dry pinto beans under cold water and sort to remove debris. Finely dice 1 medium yellow onion and mince 3 garlic cloves.
2. Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, crumble and cook 8 oz Mexican chorizo for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through. Add diced onion and garlic to the skillet and sauté for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Transfer cooked chorizo mixture to a slow cooker. Add rinsed pinto beans, 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 4 cups chicken broth.
4. Step 4: Stir well to combine. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4 hours until beans are tender and creamy.
5. Step 5: Before serving, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for brightness. Serve warm as a side or over rice for a hearty meal.