Have you ever eaten Pinto Beans at Cracker Barrel? Yum! They are delicious! But what do you do when you can’t go to Cracker Barrel? You use this shortcut method to get the same tasty results!! (I might also add, at a fraction of the cost!)
Even though we may have more time to cook these days, it’s always nice to have a recipe in our arsenal that packs heartiness, comfort, and is budget friendly. As Cracker Barrel knows, Pinto beans and cornbread are synonymous in the south! But if you use dry beans (which is the cheapest way), it takes hours to prepare.
I’ve recently found a way to take Bush’s canned Pinto Beans and cook them so that they taste just like the slower method! I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to the long way of doing this favorite meal of ours! The added ingredients are staple items I always keep on hand, so I know that I can have dinner of Soup Beans and Cornbread on the table in under 30 minutes!
I only use Bush beans. Why? They are gentle on your stomach! I stock up when they’re on sale for $1! Add a box of Jiffy Mix and you have a really inexpensive meal!
One can of beans feeds two people, so you can adjust the ingredients for your family. Here’s the simple method I use:
Pinto Beans Like Cracker Barrel’s
Ingredients
- 1 tbs Olive oil
- ½ inch slice of yellow onion – chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 slice of bacon – cut into 1 inch pieces – You could leave this out to make it vegetarian!
- 1 can Bush pinto beans
- 1/2 cup water – Or for more flavor you can use chicken broth
- 1 tbs unsalted butter
- ½ tsp white granulated sugar
- ½ tsp hot sauce, optional
- ½ tsp salt – Taste to see if it’s needed; the bacon will add salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
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In a saucepan, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and saute until soft and nearly transparent (about 2 minutes)
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Add the bacon and cook together until the bacon is soft and nearly done.
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Drain the liquid from the can of pinto beans. Rinse.
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Add the pinto beans to the sauce pan and continue to heat over medium heat.
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Add 1/2 cup fresh water or (chicken broth) to the pinto beans
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Put the butter, sugar, hot sauce, salt and pepper in and heat till bubbly.
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Taste before serving and add more salt and pepper if needed.
My menu:
Pinto Beans
Oven roasted potatoes
Cooked apples
Corn bread
If you’re curious about the cooked apples, simply peel , core and cube the apples and place them into a skillet. Add enough water to just cover them. Sprinkle with a little sugar and also cinnamon. Cook on medium heat until they cook down and some of the liquid evaporates. Adjust sugar as needed. This is a great way to use up apples that are too soft to eat, or that you’re afraid will go bad.
This is one meal that is on repeat at my house about once a month. We love it. I hope you’ll try it and enjoy the taste of Cracker Barrel at home!!
Are you a lover of Pinto beans and cornbread like we are?
RefreshHer 
Yes, yes, yes!!
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You’ll love this recipe, Whitney! Will you add the Cunningham toppings of mustard and pickle juice? 😌
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Of course! 🙂
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Thank you!
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You’re welcome!! This is WAY different than the food where you live!! 🥢
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One of my southern grandma’s specialties back in the day! That and biscuits and gravy!!! Comfort food at it’s best. I’ll be sure to try your quick method. Thank you : )
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Jenny, I hope this will remind you of your grandma when you make it ! ❤️
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This whole menu would be perfect for right now. If I can find some Bush’s pinto beans I’ll try it soon. Sounds very comforting! I have never tried the pinto beans at Cracker Barrel. We usually get breakfast when we go there — whatever time of day it is!
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Oh we love cracker Barrel‘s breakfast, too! It’s hard to pass up their pancakes! I hope you are able to try this recipe soon! It is good southern comfort food!
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I’d like to try this recipe – the vegetarian version 🙂
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I think even leaving the bacon out, you will love this recipe! Let me know how it goes!
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I just tried this (and your entire menu) for supper last night. So delicious! When I first saw this recipe, I thought I would leave out the bacon or just add in some bacon bits. However, last night when I got around to trying it, I did have an open package of bacon in the fridge. So I cut up a slice and used it in the recipe.
It was very, very good. I wasn’t sure how my hubby would react (he’s not at all picky, but this seemed like a departure from our usual meals). He loved it. I’ll be serving this again … just put more Bush’s beans on the shopping list!
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I’m so glad you and your husband enjoyed this recipe! I love it when I hear back from readers who have made things I”ve posted! Thank you for letting me know it was a success!! I just made it for us again last week, and that’s super unusual for me! We just love it!! Have a great week!
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