15 Delicious Side Dishes To Serve With Pinto Beans

When it comes to popularity, pinto beans are the superstars of the bean world. They’re actually recognized as the most popular bean in America, and it’s not hard to see why.

This highly versatile bean is great for making a whole host of dishes, as well as being packed with nutrients and protein. 

It can, however, be difficult to think of side dishes to serve alongside these tasty little morsels. Apart from Mexican cuisine, many people find themselves stuck on scrumptious side dishes. This is where we come in. 

If you want some delicious side dish ideas to serve with your pinto beans this evening, then look no further. To find out more, simply keep reading below, as we take a closer look. 

1. Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread

Why settle for boring old regular cornbread when you can make a deliciously spicy cheddar based version? 

We can guarantee that once you make this tangy, spicy cornbread, you won’t go back to other recipes anytime soon. You can make this cornbread in an iron skillet, and it only takes a short time to prepare. 

2. Braised Ham Hocks

Our mouths are watering just looking at this delicious dish. If you’re looking for something simple and hearty to serve with your pinto beans, why not try this braised ham hock recipe. 

Super tender and easy to make, this dish achieves the perfect golden finish that we love to see with ham. 

3. Best Ever Potato Salad

If you’re on the hunt for something super cooling and summery to serve with your pinto beans, then we’ve got the perfect recipe for you. This potato salad recipe is simply the best. It’s super flavorful, as well as being deliciously creamy. 

4. Smoked Turkey Legs

It doesn’t have to be the holiday season in order to enjoy some smoked turkey. This recipe shows you how to make that perfect smokey brine that tastes oh so satisfying. 

They’re super juicy and tender, and are perfectly flavored with garlic and sugar. 

5. Chinese Coleslaw

If you want to make something a little different to accompany your pinto beans, why not try this chinese coleslaw recipe. 

It’s packed with lots of tender, fresh cabbage and onion, then spiced with aromatic flavors that will leave you craving more. 

6. Dr Pepper Glazed Ham

Another ham recipe? Why not? This Dr Pepper glazed ham is truly to die for. It’s packed with lots of sweet flavors that are perfectly contrasted with the salty taste of the meat. 

In addition to this, it’s also one of the tenderest hams we’ve ever seen, as its practicality falls apart on your fork. You simply have to try this delicious recipe. 

7. Grandma’s Roasted Potatoes

If you’ve found yourself trying to achieve the perfect roast potatoes, only to witness them fall flat of your expectations, you’re not alone. Roast potatoes are one of those dishes that are easy to make, but difficult to get perfect. 

But fear not, we’ve got the perfect recipe for you. This roast potato recipe is honestly one of the best on the internet. Gloriously fluffy on the inside, and insanely crispy on the outside. 

8. Stuffing Meatloaf

There’s only one thing that we can think of that’s better than meatloaf – meatloaf topped with pinto beans.

You can use your beans to accompany this gorgeous meatloaf recipe, or place them on top. Either way, you’re sure to adore this stuffing based meatloaf idea. 

9. Perfect Mashed Potatoes

If you adore all things potato based, then you simply have to try these mashed potatoes. This recipe shows you how to achieve the most perfect fluffy mash, that would make a great accompaniment to your pinto beans. 

10. Southern Fried Chicken

We all know that pinto beans are considered to be a staple of Southern cooking, therefore, it makes complete sense to serve them with some homemade southern fried chicken. 

This recipe is truly to die for, and boasts lots of tender, juicy meat, packed in a crispy, golden batter. 

11. Texas Roadhouse Seasoned Rice

If you want to try some of the most flavorsome rice of your life, then we’d definitely recommend this recipe. 

This rice is packed with flavor, and is truly seasoned to perfection. 

12. Air Fryer Green Tomatoes

If you want to try something a little different this weeknight, why not whip up these air fryer green tomatoes. 

All you need is a few select ingredients, specifically cornmeal, breadcrumbs, salt, tomatoes and flour. These will be ready in a flash, and your family will be surprised at how quickly you created them. 

13. Mac And Cheese

Sometimes you can’t beat some good old fashioned mac and cheese, and this is truly the creamiest, cheesiest recipe we could find. 

It mixes three different varieties of cheese, to create the ooyest gooeyest creation imaginable. The best thing about this dish however, is the golden crispy breadcrumbs piled on top. 

14. Sausage Cornbread Stuffing

If you’re looking for a super hearty recipe, why not try this sausage cornbread stuffing? 

The perfect dish to make when the weather is getting cooler, as this one is guaranteed to warm you up. 

15. Braised Chicken Thighs

If you want to try some of the crispiest, juiciest chicken thighs of your life, then you simply have to make this recipe. 

These braised chicken thighs are seasoned to perfection, then cooked until the skin is golden brown. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that we’ve taken a closer look at some of the very best side dishes for pinto beans, we can move on to discuss some frequently asked questions some of you had. 

Is There Another Name For Pinto Beans? 

Some of you might be confused, as pinto beans are sometimes referred to with differing names. Pinto beans are also known affectionately as strawberry beans, or speckled beans due to their unique appearance. 

They’re a common ingredient in many dishes, so if you see one of the aforementioned names above referred to in a recipe, you’ll know exactly what they are. 

Are Pinto Beans The Same As Kidney Beans? 

Sometimes, people will get pinto beans and kidney beans mixed up. After all, they have similar colors, as well as being used frequently in Mexican cuisine. They are, however, two separate kinds of beans. 

Kidney beans have a far denser texture, as well as being sweeter in taste. Pinto beans on the other hand, are much softer in texture, and have a super earthy flavor. 

If you’re wondering if this makes them poor substitutes for one another, this isn’t the case. They can be used in place of one another in recipes, just as long as you don’t mind some slight variations in taste and texture. 

Do They hHave Pinto Beans In The UK? 

Some people might be wondering whether or not pinto beans are sold in the UK. The answer is yes, you can purchase pinto beans in the United Kingdom.

They are nowhere near as popular as they are in America however. Kidney beans are a more frequent staple of British foods instead. 

Are Pinto Beans Hhealthy? 

The simple answer to this question is yes, pinto beans are extremely healthy. Incorporating pinto beans into your diet can help you to get a whole host of different vitamins and minerals.

As well as this, they’re absolutely loaded with protein and fiber. 

Eating them regularly can help to regulate your blood sugar, as well as improve your heart health. There has also been some research conducted that shows that pinto beans can reduce your risk of contracting chronic diseases. 

Can You Eat Pinto Beans Raw? 

You should never eat pinto beans when they are still raw, this could actually prove to be harmful to your health. 

Final Thoughts 

To sum up, pinto beans are a highly nutritious food that can help to give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs.

There are lots of delicious side dishes to choose from that work well with these beans, from meat based dishes, to fresh salads. Simply read our list above and choose your favorites.