These rich and bold Ranch-Style Beans are miles better than any beans you get out of a can!
It’s no secret that the culinary identity of Texas is a little different from everywhere else. To most people, Texas cuisine means barbecue sauce, great meat, or Tex-Mex dishes like tacos and enchiladas. But few would associate it with these ranch-style beans, which have been around in the Lone Star State since the 1800s.
This is a bean recipe that doesn’t rely on meat or sauce for its flavor. Yet, it has such great depth to its taste – without being too spicy – making it a bean dish that everyone is bound to enjoy.
The key to the recipe is surrounding the beans with vegetables like onions and tomatoes, as well as a variety of seasonings and aromatics. Some ingredients give the beans a little zest while others give them a smoky flavor. The beans have a chance to simmer around all of these different tastes, making them tender and packed with flavor in a way I’ve never experienced with a bean recipe before.
Are Ranch-Style Beans Healthy?
There are plenty of positives to ranch-style beans from a health perspective. The pinto beans are high in fiber while also being a good source of protein and iron. The crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion, and other ingredients also contain plenty of vitamins and nutrients that are beneficial.
The only caveat from a health perspective is a high level of sodium in this recipe. However, ranch-style beans remain low in fat and calories, making them healthy for just about everyone who isn’t trying to cut down on sodium. You can also opt to not include the added salt, and use dried beans over canned beans which can be high in sodium.
A Little Extra…
This recipe for ranch-style beans is easy to customize to fit your personal tastes. For instance, if you do prefer spicy food, you can add a little extra chili powder or chop up a jalapeño to add in.
Likewise, if you don’t need to make these beans vegetarian-friendly, a little bit of meat can add to the flavor and texture of the dish. Chicken, beef, or even chorizo would all blend well with ranch-style beans.
Finally, don’t forget to add something on top of the beans when you’re ready to serve. I like to keep things simple by melting a little cheese on top. However, other people might prefer sour cream, guacamole, or even some pickled jalapeños.
How to make ahead and store
Leftover ranch-style beans should be kept in a sealed jar or an airtight container. In the fridge, they should remain good to reheat and eat for 3 or 4 days.
Serving Suggestions
Ranch-style beans make a great side dish for a barbecue or with Tex-Mex meals. I have found they go great with BBQ Pork Tenderloin and Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork.
I would also recommend making ranch-style beans as a side dish if you’re making Baby Back Ribs in the Oven. If you’d like to turn ranch-style beans into a vegetarian-friendly meal, I would pair it with either Vegan Cornbread or a Cornbread Casserole. Of course, these beans would also go great with Chicken Enchiladas or this recipe for Healthy Tacos.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pinto beans rinsed and soaked in water overnight
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3/4 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (14 ounces)
- Kosher salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Drain the soaked beans and rinse them under cold water.
- In a large pot, add the oil and diced onion and sauté until translucent. Add the tomato paste, brown sugar, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika, cooking for another minute.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and the soaked beans. Pour in 6 cups of broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1 to 2 hours or until the beans are tender, adding more broth during cooking if needed.
- Add salt to taste. Serve with fresh cilantro as a garnish.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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