Black Beans vs. Pinto Beans: Differences, Best Uses, Nutrition, & More!

The black beans vs pinto beans debate is like trying to choose a favorite taco topping – each makes the fiesta more fun in a different way! Both beans are versatile and offer numerous health perks, being used in various cuisines around the globe. Let’s explore what sets them apart so you can find out which one’s your favorite.

The hearty and earthy black beans are a star in many Latin American dishes, just like the comforting pinto beans are prevalent in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine. Each brings different attributes to the table and we’ll dive deep into their differences to explore the full potential of these two legumes.

⚖️ Comparison Chart

Attribute	Black Beans	Pinto Beans
Texture	Firm, holds shape well	Creamier, softer when cooked
Taste	Rich, slightly sweet	Mild, nutty
Nutrition	Good source of fiber and protein, higher in antioxidants and magnesium	Good source of fiber and protein, more folate and calcium
Cooking Methods	Boil, soak, bake, slow cook	Boil, soak, slow cook, refry
Best Uses	Salads, soups, stews	Refried beans, burritos, dips
Price	Comparable, varies by brand and form	Comparable, varies by brand and form
Availability	Widely available in various forms (dry, canned, precooked and frozen)	Widely available in various forms (dry, canned, precooked and frozen)

What Are Black Beans?

Black beans, also known as black turtle beans, have a dark, almost black skin, and a dense, meaty texture.

Many cuisines around the world use them, but they are especially prized in Latin American, Caribbean, and Creole dishes.

Black beans come from the heart of the Americas, being brought here by Spanish explorers in the 15th century. Their journey continued as they reached Asia, through the complex trade routes of the Silk Road. This way, black beans reached numerous cuisines, and are found in a diverse range of recipes.

They have a deep, rich flavor, and are a versatile ingredient that can be used in soups, stews, salads, and as a protein-packed addition to vegetarian and vegan meals.

Interesting Fact: Did you know that historically, black beans have been used to make a natural dye for art and textiles, and not just for cooking? Surprisingly, the black bean dye gives shades of blue and green.

What Are Pinto Beans?

Pinto beans are highly appreciated for their creamy texture, and subtle, nutty flavor. Their name ‘pinto’, which means ‘painted’ in Spanish, comes from their speckled appearance, which turns into a uniform light brown color when cooked.

Pinto beans have been used for many generations, as a staple in the diets of the indigenous people of Mexico and the American Southwest. Since they, they turned into a symbol of Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisines.

You’ll find them prepared in various ways: mashed and refried, or prepared as whole beans and used as a filling side or as a key ingredient in burritos, tacos, enchiladas, soups, stews, and other hearty dishes.

At the same time, they found their way through Europe, and became introduced to the traditional dishes of this continent.

Interesting Fact: Dove Creek, Colorado, claims the title of the “Pinto Bean Capital of the World“. As a major bean-producing community, they are hosting a Pinto Bean Day Celebration every year.

📏 Size

Pinto beans and black beans vary in size, with the first being generally larger and having a more oval shape.

The size of a bean will influence its cooking time, and naturally, the larger ones usually take longer to cook than smaller ones. Isn’t it fascinating how one trait has so much impact on the others?

Speaking of, larger beans offer a creamier texture, while smaller ones give a firmer bite. Regarding flavor absorption, the smaller beans are the clear winners, having a higher surface area relative to volume.

😋 Taste

Pinto beans are known for their mild and earthy taste with a hint of nuttiness. They are a staple for traditional Mexican dishes like refried beans and chili since their flavor profile can enhance without overpowering other ingredients.

Black beans have a richer and slightly sweet taste, excellent for complementing the bold flavors of Caribbean and Latin American cuisines. In general, black beans are ideal in more complex dishes using various ingredients and spices, as their sweet, rich flavor adds another layer of complexity.

👆 Texture

When you need a bean to maintain its shape, choose the black kind! Black beans have a firmer, more robust texture that works well in salads, soups, stews, and any other dishes requiring whole beans.

Pinto beans, with their larger size, have a softer, creamier texture, perfect for making spreads and refried beans.

🌿 Nutrition

Per serving (1 cup/171g)	Black Beans	Pinto Beans
Calories	227	245
Total Fat	0.9 g	1.1 g
Saturated Fat	0.2 g	0.2 g
Cholesterol	0 mg	0 mg
Total Carbohydrate	40.8 g	44.8 g
Dietary Fiber	15 g	15.4 g
Sugars	0.6 g	0.6 g
Protein	15.2 g	15.4 g
Vitamin D	0 µg	0 µg
Calcium	46 mg	89 mg
Iron	3.61 mg	3.57 mg
Potassium	611 mg	746 mg

Black beans and pinto beans bring their A-game to the table when it comes to nutrition with a hefty collection of health benefits. Both are packed with protein, fiber, and a slew of vitamins and minerals, yet they’re not the same.

👉Fiber | To start, fiber is one nutrient beans are always celebrated for. Pinto beans have a slight edge in this area, although not significant. Whichever you choose, the extra fiber is excellent for maintaining digestive health, blood sugar, and heart health, as well as getting increased satiety from your meals.

👉Protein | This is another area where the black and pinto bean varieties are in for a close fight. What do we get from this? The ability to choose one or the other and still get a high-protein meal. Both are excellent choices for a high-protein diet.

👉Fat | One cup of any of these two legumes has around 1 gram of fat. A truly insignificant amount and good news for those who are on low-fat diets or simply trying to reduce their fat intake.

👉Carbohydrates | Pinto beans contain 44.8 g of carbs per cup (171 g), while black beans are slightly lower in carbs with 40.8 g of carbs per cup.

The extra carbs found in pinto beans contribute to their creamier texture and also makes them a bit more filling.

Before you shy away from these versatile legumes, keep in mind the carbs they contain are complex carbohydrates. They are rich in starch and fiber and considered healthy because they digest more slowly than simple carbs, providing a gradual release of energy.

This helps keep blood sugar levels stable, and offers long-term satiety, compared to simple carbs (such as sugar, and white bread).

👉Micronutrients | Black beans have a higher antioxidant content, thanks to their darker color, and are significantly richer in magnesium compared to pinto beans.

On the flip side, pinto beans boast more calcium and folate. The latter is essential for DNA synthesis and repair, and a particularly useful supplement for pregnant women.

👨‍🍳 Cooking Methods

Both black beans and pinto beans can be prepared using a variety of cooking methods to suit different textures and flavors:

✔️Boiling | The classic method that softens beans for various dishes.

✔️Soaking Overnight | Without going too deep into the benefits of soaking, letting the beans sit in water overnight will rehydrate them and reduce the cooking time. It also removes indigestible sugars, making beans easier to digest.

✔️Quick-Soak Method | This is the hack to use when you forget to soak the beans the night before. Simply boil the beans for a few minutes, then let them sit for a few hours – a much faster alternative to overnight soaking.

✔️Slow Cooking | Ideal for tenderizing beans over several hours, perfect for stews.

✔️Pressure Cooking | This magical cooking method is the fastest way to soften beans and it works even without soaking. Check out our printable Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet for pressure cooking times and liquid ratios for a variety of beans and legumes, including black and pinto beans!

✔️Baking | Works great for recipes that require a firmer texture, like bean cakes or casseroles. Feel free to use my guide on how to cook dried beans in the oven, if you’ve never done this before. It’s super easy and wonderful for meal prepping.

🍽️ Best Uses

I’m not saying you shouldn’t have a favorite bean, but I think all varieties bring something unique, and depending on their traits, are ideal for specific recipes. This also applies to black and pinto beans, so let’s explore their best uses!

Black Bean Delights

Black beans lend themselves well to a variety of dishes where their firm texture and rich flavor truly shine.

⭐Salsas | We love serving black bean and corn salsa at gatherings. It’s super easy to make as much as you need, and a refreshing side is always a welcome addition.

⭐Soups | Nothing beats the warmth of a crock-pot black bean soup on a chilly day!

⭐Veggie Dishes | Black beans paired with any veggie will turn it into a healthy but filling meal. Stuffed sweet potatoes is one of my favorite recipes, as the sweetness of the legume pairs with the similar but unique flavor profile of the sweet potato incredibly well.

⭐Breakfast | Don’t forget the first and most important meal of the day. Black beans are a star among the ingredients I use for my vegetarian meal prep breakfast ideas as I try to include some plant-based protein as often as possible.

⭐Chili | If you’re like me, than you like your chili with whole beans and the black ones are an excellent option. Next time you have some leftover brisket, try this amazing brisket chili – definitely one of the best ways to enjoy extra brisket.

⭐Dips | The slow cooker Mexican dip recipe is one of my go-to party snacks, but honestly, you don’t need any special excuses to make it.

Pinto Bean Specials

Pinto beans complement dishes where their creamy texture can really stand out, like the comforting vegan crockpot refried beans and the flavorful Puerto Rican beans.

Also, don’t miss out on my quick and delicious air fryer taquitos for a satisfying meal.

Mix And Match With Beans

Combining beans brings out the best of both worlds. My slow cooker vegetarian taco soup is a testament to the hearty flavors achieved with both black and pinto beans. The 10 minutes of prep work really are worth it!

For a unique take, I use a mix of black, navy, and pinto beans when I’m making grilled baked beans. It’s a symphony of slightly different textures and taste profiles that create a dreamy flavor!

Exploring Further

These easy grilled taco stuffed peppers are another fresh twist on a classic, where pinto or black beans can be used to add depth and nutrition.

The Puerto Rican Habichuelas Guisadas recipe, traditionally made with kidney beans, will turn out just as tasty if you use black beans instead.

🏷️ Price

Both beans are budget-friendly sources of protein, with relatively comparable prices throughout the United States.

In all truth, the varying prices depend more on the brand, organic status, and purchasing form (canned vs. dry) compared to the type of bean.

🛒 Availability

In general, both pinto and black beans are easy to find in the USA. Grocery stores, supermarkets, specialty food markets – they all carry them.

You can find dry, canned, and sometimes even precooked and frozen beans, so there are quite a few options to choose from.

🍲 How to make beans less gassy?

📌Soak Twice | To make beans less gassy, soak them twice, replacing the water for the second soak. This can help reduce oligosaccharides, the gas-causing sugars present in beans, more than a single soak.

📌Blanch Twice | A similar, faster method to make beans less gassy is to blanch them in fresh water and repeat the process one more time before using the beans in your dish.

Be sure to place the beans in already boiling water both times. You’ll need to have a second pot ready with boiling water so plan this accordingly. I can say this from personal experience: it works!

📌Canned Beans | If using canned beans, rinse them well before using. They are quite harmless if you give them a good rinse.

❓ FAQ