This post may contain affiliate links via Amazon's affiliate advertising program. See privacy policy
Pinto beans with hamburger meat is a soul-warming, one-pot dish where creamy, slow-simmered beans meet richly seasoned beef for a deep, savory bite that sticks with you.
The technique leans on layering flavor - browning the beef for depth, then letting it meld low and slow with aromatics, spices, and broth until the beans turn buttery and the sauce thickens into something downright craveable. It’s hearty, rustic comfort with bold flavor in every spoonful.
If you like this pinto beans recipe, checkout this old school pork and beans recipe which is a homemade version of that canned staple you're probably familiar with. For another pinto beans recipe try these Southern pinto beans seasoned with smoked ham hocks.
Lean in close, my fellow flavor peeps, ‘cause your guy Marwin got a pot full of soul and funk simmerin’ on the stove with these pinto beans with hamburger meat. This dish brings big bassline energy that is meaty, smoky, rich, and rhythmic.
We're talkin’ slow-simmered pinto beans mixed with some lean ground beef, seasoned deep with a funky blend of fresh Haitian epis seasoning base, smoky salt pork, and a spice mix that dances with paprika, allspice, sugar, and chili powder.
Canned beans are out, go with dried. This is the kind of one-pot wonder that tastes like it’s been slow cooked in a backyard jam session; takes about 3-5 hours for tender beans, but oh yeah, it’s worth every beat. Before you ask, yes this recipe is perfect for slow cooker pinto beans.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deep, layered flavor from browning + slow simmering
- Creamy, tender beans with a naturally thickened broth
- Flexible and forgiving (works with pantry staples)
Ingredient Notes
- Salt Pork
This is your smoky, fatty flavor driver. It renders out and seasons the entire pot from the start; think of it as old-school flavor insurance. - Stewed Tomatoes
Bring acidity and subtle sweetness to balance the richness. They also help round out the broth and add body. - Haitian Epis (Optional)
A flavor bomb made from herbs, peppers, garlic, and citrus. It adds bright, herbal complexity and a subtle heat that elevates the dish beyond traditional bean recipes.
How to Make Pinto Beans with Ground Beef
- Render the salt pork in a heavy pot until it releases fat and crisps slightly.
- Brown the ground beef in that fat, don’t rush this step; build that crust.
- Sauté aromatics (onions, garlic, peppers) until softened and fragrant.
- Deglaze with stewed tomatoes, scraping up those browned bits.
- Add soaked (or rinsed) dried pinto beans + chicken stock.
- Stir in seasonings and epis (if using).
- Simmer low and slow until beans are tender and the broth thickens about 1.5–2 hours.
- Adjust seasoning and let it rest slightly to thicken even more.
Beats and Eats (music to pair with slow simmered pinto beans with salt pork)
Just like the Brothers Johnson's song "Tomorrow" builds toward a promise of brighter days, this dish brings humble ingredients together into something unexpectedly joyful, reminding you that flavor—and feeling—don’t need to be flashy to hit hard. It's a Sunday supper groove, the kind that slows you down and fills you up with just the right kind of funk.
Now if you wanna level up flavor and texture, let those homemade pinto beans rest off-heat a bit before serving, so all that goodness settles in just right.
No Haitian epis on hand? Blend garlic, herbs, citrus juice, and peppers into a paste and make your own groove. I used stewed tomatoes but tomato paste or diced tomatoes could also work. Soak beans overnight if you got the time. Go low sodium if using chicken broth.
That track "Tomorrow" pairs perfectly—it’s rich, layered, and hopeful, just like these beans reminding you that better days (and bites) are comin’.
For a complete meal serve this beans and ground beef recipe up with cornbread and rice. Sweet potato cornbread is my jam with beans dishes! I treat the beans as a main entree and may pair a side of Southern collard greens with smoked turkey or Southern style fried cabbage to round things out. Crispy Southern Fried chicken is a good main dish pairing if you prefer your beans as a side.
Keep up with my food exploits on Instagram and YouTube. If you like any of the music you find on the site, visit me at Spotify to find curated playlists.
Classic Pinto Beans with Hamburger Meat
Ingredients
- 1 lb bag Dried pinto beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds ground chuck
- 1 chopped yellow or white onion diced
- 4-5 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 Bell pepper
- 1 14.5 can stewed tomatoes
- 5-6 cups water or stock (low sodium) make sure beans are covered.
- ¼ cup haitian epis seasoning optional
- Bay leaf
- Salt Pork
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoons of sugar
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Method
- Mix the dry spices together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Soak the beans overnight in water.
- Heat a large stock pot or dutch oven on medium heat. Add olive oil and then Brown beef for 3-5 minutes getting rid of any pinkness. Add about a ⅓ of the seasoning as you brown. Remove the beans and drain on a paper towel-lined bowl of plate.
- Add the diced onions to the pan and saute in the rendered fat for 2-3 minutes. Add more oil if needed.
- Add the bell peppers and garlic plus a ½ of the remaining seasoning mix. Saute for 30 seconds.
- Add the salt pork and cook just long enough for it to release flavor about 1 minute.
- Add remaining spices, beans, and mix well.
- Add tomatoes, cooked ground beef, bay leaves, and water. Mix well then bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook 3-5 hours depending on preferred consistency.
why is sodium so high
Salt pork is generally high in sodium sunce it's cured. It's the only ingreient with much salt. You can exclude it if concerned.
This came out so good! The Haitian epis seasoning is amazing! I'll be using it in so many other dishes I make
can this be done in an insta pot?
Yes, IP is perfect for cooking beans. You'd just need to brown ground beef first. https://www.foodfidelity.com/instant-pot-pinto-beans/
Awesome recipe. I doubled up on the spices because I omitted the Haitian epis seasoning. Also the allspice gives this dish a very unique flavor. Adding to my rotation for sure!
Nice! Glad you liked it.