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Canning Pinto Beans Recipe

Learn how to make a safe and easy canning pinto beans recipe with step-by-step instructions, pressure canning tips, storage advice, and serving ideas.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 14 People
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 to 3 pounds dried pinto beans
  • Water
  • Canning salt optional

Equipment

  • Pressure canner
  • Pint or quart canning jars
  • New canning lids and bands
  • Jar lifter
  • Canning funnel
  • Bubble remover or plastic spatula
  • Large stockpot
  • Clean towels

Method
 

Step 1: Sort and Wash the Beans
  1. Spread the dried beans on a tray and remove any stones, damaged beans, or debris. Rinse the beans thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear.
    sort-and-wash-pinto-beans
Step 2: Soak the Beans
  1. Choose one of these soaking methods.
  2. Overnight Soak
  3. Cover the beans with plenty of water and let them soak for 12 to 18 hours. Drain and rinse before cooking.
  4. Quick Soak
  5. Place the beans in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes, remove from the heat, cover, and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse.
    soak-pinto-beans
Step 3: Partially Cook the Beans
  1. Return the soaked beans to a pot and cover with fresh water.
  2. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Do not fully cook the beans, as they will continue cooking during the pressure canning process.
    partially-cook-pinto-beans
Step 4: Prepare the Jars
  1. Wash the jars in hot, soapy water and rinse well. Keep them warm until ready to fill.
  2. Simmer the lids according to the manufacturer’s instructions if required.
    prepare-canning-jars
Step 5: Fill the Jars
  1. Using a funnel, fill each jar with the partially cooked beans.
  2. Leave about 1 inch of headspace.
  3. Pour the hot cooking liquid over the beans, maintaining the same 1-inch headspace.
  4. If desired, add:
  5. ½ teaspoon canning salt to pint jars
  6. 1 teaspoon canning salt to quart jars
  7. Remove trapped air bubbles using a bubble remover or plastic utensil.
  8. Wipe the jar rims with a clean damp cloth and apply the lids and bands until fingertip tight.
    fill-canning-jars-with-pinto-beans
Step 6: Pressure Can the Beans
  1. Place the filled jars into the pressure canner following the manufacturer’s instructions.
  2. Process according to the size of the jars:
  3. Jar Size Processing Time
  4. Pint 75 minutes
  5. Quart 90 minutes
  6. Use the pressure appropriate for your canner type and altitude. Always follow your pressure canner’s instructions and adjust pressure if you live at higher elevations.
    pressure-can-pinto-beans
Step 7: Cool the Jars
  1. Once processing is complete:
  2. Turn off the heat.
  3. Allow the canner to depressurize naturally.
  4. Carefully remove the jars.
  5. Place them on a towel.
  6. Let them cool undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours.
    cool-pressure-canned-pinto-beans
Step 8: Check the Seals
  1. After the jars have cooled:
  2. Remove the screw bands.
  3. Press the center of each lid.
  4. Properly sealed lids will not flex up and down.
  5. Refrigerate any jars that did not seal and use them within a few days.
    check-canning-jar-seals

Video

Notes

Always use a pressure canner for pinto beans, as they are a low-acid food and cannot be safely processed using a water bath canner.