Table of Contents
🗝️ Key takeaways
With unique flavor, Ranch-style beans are a favorite of Texan cuisine, but they're getting harder and harder to find in stores. This copycat recipe is simmered in a thick chili gravy, adding a hearty, smoky Southern flavor to any meal. It's easy to prep ahead, a great way to fill up extra-hungry eaters, and tastes even better (yes, better!) than your favorite canned version.
🧾 Ingredients
You can use pinto beans from a can, dried and cooked, or fresh. I like using canned because it cuts way down on the time and I don't think it affects the final flavor. If you're using dried beans be sure to soak and cook them until they are nice and tender.
📖 Recipe
Ranch Style Beans
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- 45 ounces pinto beans, 3 cans, about 1 pound dry pinto beans
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon chili powder, or more to taste
- 1 tablespoon sugar, optional
- 1-½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprka
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken stock, may need more
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Soak and cook the pinto beans according to instructions on package if using dried beans.
- Drain and rinse canned pinto beans.
- Add the drained pinto beans and the onion to a saucepan.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients, bring to a boil, turn heat to low, and cover.
- Simmer, stirring occasionally and adding chicken stock or water to keep from sticking as needed. Chicken stock will give more flavor than water.
- Simmer for 30 minutes, or until the onion is cooked and soft.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve hot or use in any recipe calling for Ranch style beans.
Notes
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- If your stove runs hot, monitor closely so the beans don't get too dry too quickly. Of course, feel free to add more broth or water to taste.
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- Out of tomato paste? In most recipes, you can swap it for tomato puree. Double the amount the recipe card calls for in paste. Also, you'll have to let it simmer for a while longer to thicken up.
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- Use vegetable broth instead of chicken to make these vegetarian.)
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
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👩🍳 FAQs
Ranch-style beans refer to pinto beans that are simmered in a thick, chili-like sauce made with onions, spices, and sometimes bell peppers. They're thick and delicious. Chili beans have a very light chili flavor and are packaged in a thin sauce.
If you're looking for a substitute for pinto beans, there are several that'll work. Try dark red kidney beans, cannellini beans, lentils, or even chickpeas. They have a similar texture and flavor as pintos. Refried beans won't work!
🔪 How to make Ranch Style beans step by step
- Add the pinto beans and diced onions to a saucepan.
- Stir in the chili powder, sugar, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes.
- Spoon in tomato paste and broth.
- Stir occasionally, adding more broth or water as needed.
🥫 How to store leftovers
Cool leftover ranch-style beans to room temperature before storing. Then, just put them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for 3 months.
📖 Variations
- For an even deeper flavor, make your own chili powder using ancho chilies.
- Swap brown sugar in place of white to give your delicious side dish a caramelized flavor. Omit it altogether if you don't want any sweetness.
- You can top your beans off with shredded cheese, hot sauce, jalapenos, or herbs if you're feeling fancy! Use whatever you're in the mood for.
📚 Related recipes
- Slow-Cooker Kielbasa and Baked Beans is delicious for dinner and tailgate parties!
- These Dr. Pepper Baked Beans pair perfectly with any main dish year-round. Everyone loves the subtle sweetness of the classic soda.
- Just like Grandma's, Southern Butter Beans with Bacon are creamy and rich, but they take a fraction of the time hers did to cook!
🍽️ Serve with...
This sweet and spicy Coca-Cola glazed pork loin makes a great main dish for any family dinner. The flavors taste fabulous with ranch style beans!
Don't forget another classic Southern staple. Easy Buttermilk Cornbread is the perfect side to serve along with a hearty, savory meal.
Finally, portion out a hefty slice of Banana Pudding Cheesecake to finish off the picture-perfect meal. I can't get enough of this addicting dessert!
Debbie H says
1) Positive Comment with two minor changes 2) Question
Thank you for sharing this recipe!!! My fellas (husband & bonus son) enjoyed it immensely! I made 2 little minor changes, but nothing big. We should make changes if our family has different needs or tastes. Instead of crushed pepper, I used a little dried jalapeno. Instead of cumin, I doubled the chili powder. And I took your advice in the tips about using a small amount of bell peppers. I had a little bit of dried ones and used it.
This is my first time making ranch style beans and I'm definitely going to make it again. It's a good for you food that is absolutely delicious! Oh, I did make a little mistake too. I used minced garlic from a jar - about the size of 4 garlic cloves. But then I forgot that I did that and added the entire amount of garlic powder you listed. Well it tasted yummy, so that was fine. Next time I will try out your suggestion for swapping out brown sugar for white sugar, because I can see the brown sugar going well with this. I liked it with regular sugar. But I'm curious now.
2) Has anyone ever added canned tomatoes to this recipe. I had beans at a restaurant and I thought it was ranch style beans. It had some tomatoes in it. Not much. There were more onions. But it was delicious. Of course, I don't remember the name of those beans. But it was similar in flavor profile to your recipe here.
Thank you again for this delicious recipe. I'm new to your website but I am going to try other recipes of yours. Also I saw in the tip section that you said using ancho chili powder would be good. I like to use ancho chili powder in my mix of spices when I make carnitas.
BTW, your recipe for Ranch Style Beans is now one of my family's favorite bean recipes. I'm going to put it in my rotation.
Sherrel says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!