Start with budget-friendly dried pinto beans and add a little southwestern flair to create these delicious Pinto Bean Cakes!
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 3 hourshours
Total Time 3 hourshours20 minutesminutes
Servings 10servings
Ingredients
For the beans:
20ouncesdried pinto beans(recommend: Hurst’s HamBeens® Pinto Beans with Ham Flavor)
8cupswater
1cupdiced onion
¼teaspoonblack pepper
2teaspoonssalt
For the pinto bean cakes:
2cupscooked pinto beanscooled and well drained
¼cupfinely diced red bell pepper
¼cupfinely diced yellow bell pepper
¼cupdiced green onion
1tablespoonminced cilantro
½teaspoonlime juice
½teaspoonsalt
¼teaspoonblack pepper
3tablespoonsall-purpose flour
1egglightly beaten
½cuppeanut oil (for frying), use more or less as needed
For the garnish:
20teaspoonssour cream
20teaspoonssalsa
20teaspoonsgrated sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
Set aside the ham seasoning packet included with the beans for use later. Rinse the dry beans under cool water to remove any debris. Place the beans in a large pot and cover them with water at least two inches above the height of the beans. Bring to a rapid boil. Remove from heat and let stand for one hour.
After one hour, add the onion and black pepper to the beans in the pot, return to the stove, and continue cooking in the same water for an additional hour. Add additional water during the cooking time only if needed. Cook until beans are tender. Near the end of the cooking time, add the ham seasoning packet and salt. Let the beans cool to room temperature or refrigerate overnight before continuing with the recipe.
Place the cooled, drained beans in a large mixing bowl. Mash the beans thoroughly using a potato masher, fork, or in a blender or food processor.
Add the red and yellow bell pepper, green onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, pepper, flour, and egg. Stir together until thoroughly combined. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes while you heat the oil.
Place about 3 tablespoons of peanut oil in a non-stick skillet and heat the oil over medium-high heat. Drop the bean mixture by tablespoonfuls into the hot oil. Press gently to slightly flatten the bean cake. Fry for 3-4 minutes on the first side or until golden brown. Do not try to turn the bean cake until the first side is very nicely golden brown. Flip the cakes over and fry the second side for about 3 more minutes or until browned.
Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Repeat until all the bean mixture is used. Add additional oil if needed.
Top the cakes with a small dollop of sour cream, a tiny bit of salsa, and a bit of grated cheddar cheese and cilantro.
Notes
You can skip the cooking of the beans entirely and simply purchase two cans of pinto beans. The recipe won't be quite as cost effective, but you'll save time. On the other hand, slow cooked beans from scratch taste so much better than canned.
Store leftover patties in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or up to 2 weeks in the freezer.
Reheat in the microwave in 15-second increments until warmed through.