Ingredients

1 small package pinto beans, rinsed and drained
3 pieces bacon cut into pieces
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 lime, optional
3 fresh bay leaves
1 small bunch fresh sage
1 small bunch fresh oregano
1 small bunch fresh tarragon
1 teaspoon salt
1 small onion, quartered
5-6 cloves garlic

Directions

Put rinsed beans in crock pot. Add onion, garlic and dried spices (spices can be cut in half if desired).

Put bacon and lime half in crock pot.

Add fresh herbs.

If fresh herbs are not available, then add 1/2 teaspoon dried sage, oregano, and tarragon. Add 1 dried bay leaf.

Add enough water to crock pot to cover beans. Put top on crock pot and turn on high temperature. Cook beans on high until done, monitoring the amount of liquid and adding liquid if necessary. Cook beans on low if they will be unattended all day or all night.

NOTE 1: If desired, green pepper, celery, sausage, ham hocks or salted pork can also be added to the pot.

NOTE 2:  This recipe is just a guide.  You can add or remove any ingredients as you desire. 

NOTE 3:  Crockpot beans have a thinner pot liquor than when cooked on the stovetop.  However, the crockpot beans will thicken up more the next day.  You can always cook the beans on the stovetop, but they must be attended constantly.

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Pinto beans are one of my favorites and I am sharing my basic recipe for a great pot of pinto beans.  The beans can be eaten alone with a piece of corn bread or as a side dish to a full course meal.  If desired, a bowl of beans can be topped with cheese, onion, tomato, lettuce, peppers, or whatever fancies the taste buds.  

This recipe uses bacon for seasoning; however, you can use salted pork, ham hocks, sausage, or a combination.  There are no restrictions to seasoning your pot of beans.  Having an herb garden will give you the advantage of adding bunches of fresh herbs to your recipes; however, you can use dried herbs as a substitute.  

I can not tell you how long I cook these beans in the crock pot.  I just put the ingredients in the pot and go to bed or to work.  Either when I wake up in the morning or come home in the evening, I have a nice pot of beans ready to be enjoyed.  I have an old crock pot with a low and high speed that I have had for years.  I have cooked the beans on both low and high.  If you cook them on high, make sure there is enough liquid in the pot, otherwise the liquid will evaporate and the beans will burn.  It is better to use the high temperature when you are able to monitor the cooking.  Otherwise, you can start with the high temperature and then reduce to low if you will be retiring for the evening or leaving for the day.