How To Thicken Pinto Bean Soup (10 Easy Ways)

Do you love pinto bean soup, but find that it’s often too thin?

If so, you’re not alone.

Many people struggle with the same issue when making this delicious dish.

Fortunately, there are several easy ways to thicken your pinto bean soup without sacrificing flavor or texture.

From adding cornstarch to pureeing some of the beans and vegetables, here are ten simple methods that will help you achieve a thicker and heartier soup in no time!

Read Also: 10 Ways to Thicken Soup Without Flour

How To Thicken Pinto Bean Soup

The best way to thicken pinto bean soup is by simmering it for a longer period of time. This will allow the liquid to evaporate, leaving behind a thicker consistency. Another option is to mash some of the beans and add them back into the soup. You can also try adding cornstarch or flour as thickening agents.

But let’s explore 10 of the best ways:

Use a Potato

Get ready for some tater magic!

Did you know that adding a cooked potato to your pinto bean soup can thicken it up like nobody’s business?

It’s true!

Potatoes are like little starchy miracles that can turn your soup from a watery mess to a creamy dream.

All you have to do is peel and chop up a potato, throw it in the soup, and let it cook until it’s nice and soft.

Then, mash it up and stir it around until it’s all nice and blended in.

Voila!

A soup that’s thick and full of flavor.

Make a Cornstarch Slurry

Ready for some science?

A cornstarch slurry is a mixture of cornstarch and water that can be used to thicken up your pinto bean soup in a jiffy.

The cornstarch works by absorbing the liquid in the soup and creating a thicker consistency.

To make a slurry, all you have to do is mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water until it’s smooth.

Then, add the slurry to the soup and stir it in.

Let the soup simmer for a few minutes and watch the magic happen!

Use Flour or Cornmeal

Get ready to dust off that bag of flour or cornmeal, because they can be used to thicken up your soup in a flash.

Simply mix a tablespoon of flour or cornmeal with a tablespoon of cold water until it’s smooth.

Then, add the mixture to the soup and stir it in. Let the soup simmer for a few minutes until it thickens up to your liking.

You can also sprinkle flour or cornmeal directly into the soup, but be sure to whisk it in quickly to avoid lumps.

With flour or cornmeal in your arsenal, you’ll be thickening up that pinto bean soup like a pro in no time!

Add Tomato Paste

Who knew that tomato paste could be the secret weapon in your soup-thickening arsenal?

This versatile ingredient not only adds a delicious tomato flavor to your pinto bean soup but also thickens it up in the process.

Just add a spoonful or two of tomato paste to your soup and stir it in until it’s completely blended.

Let the soup simmer for a few minutes until it thickens to your liking.

And voila!

You’ve got a thick, hearty soup that’s bursting with flavor.

Use a Roux

Fancy French words alert!

A roux is a mixture of flour and fat that can be used to thicken up your soup and give it a delicious, velvety texture.

To make a roux, simply melt some butter in a saucepan and whisk in an equal amount of flour.

Let the mixture cook for a few minutes until it turns golden brown, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

Then, add the roux to your soup and whisk it in until it’s completely blended.

Let the soup simmer for a few minutes until it thickens up to your liking.

Ooh la la, you’ve got yourself a soup that’s rich, creamy, and oh so fancy.

Blend Some Beans

Get ready to get your blend on!

This technique involves taking some of the cooked beans from your soup and blending them up into a smooth puree.

Then, add the puree back into the soup and stir it in until it’s completely blended. The result is a soup that’s thick and creamy with a delicious bean flavor.

Plus, it’s a great way to use up any extra beans that you might have lying around.

Use Masa Harina

Masa what-now? Masa harina is a type of flour made from ground corn that’s used in many traditional Mexican dishes.

It’s also a great way to thicken up your pinto bean soup and give it a delicious corn flavor.

To use masa harina, simply mix a tablespoon of it with a little bit of water to form a paste.

Then, add the paste to your soup and stir it in until it’s completely blended. Let the soup simmer for a few minutes until it thickens up to your liking.

Ole, you’ve got yourself a soup that’s thick, flavorful, and a little bit fancy.

Let It Simmer

Sometimes the best way to thicken up your pinto bean soup is to simply let it simmer for a little while longer.

This allows the liquid to evaporate and the soup to thicken up naturally. Just be sure to keep an eye on the soup and stir it occasionally to avoid burning.

And before you know it, you’ll have a soup that’s thick, hearty, and bursting with flavor.

Add Other Vegetables

Who says it has to be all about the beans?

Adding other vegetables like carrots, celery, or onions can not only add flavor to your soup but also thicken it up in the process.

Simply chop up your favorite veggies and add them to the soup along with the beans.

Let the soup simmer until the vegetables are tender and the soup has thickened up to your liking. It’s a great way to add some extra nutrition to your soup and make it even more delicious.

Final Thoughts

There you have it, folks! 10 easy and playful ways to thicken up your pinto bean soup and make it a soup-tastic masterpiece. With techniques like adding a potato, making a cornstarch slurry, using flour or cornmeal, and even using fancy French techniques like a roux, you’ll be able to achieve the perfect soup consistency in no time.

But don’t forget about the other playful techniques like blending some beans, adding tomato paste, or even using masa harina for a delicious corn flavor. And of course, sometimes the simplest technique is just letting the soup simmer for a little bit longer or adding some extra veggies to the mix.

No matter which technique you choose, the key is to have fun with it and experiment until you find the perfect consistency and flavor for your taste buds. So go forth and soup it up, my friends!