chili pintos
Pinto beans canned in a mild, chili-seasoned sauce -- similar to chili beans, a shortcut for adding pre-seasoned beans to chili or Tex-Mex cooking. The sauce is meant to be used along with the beans rather than drained off, contributing both seasoning and a bit of body to whatever it's added to.
Buying guidance
Check the label for sodium and heat level, since mild is typical but brands vary in how much chili seasoning and salt they include. Because the beans arrive already seasoned, taste before adding more salt or chili powder to a finished dish.
Substitutions
- Chili beans (kidney or pinto in chili sauce) -- essentially interchangeable, may run slightly spicier or use kidney beans instead of pinto.
- Plain canned pinto beans plus a spoonful of chili seasoning and tomato sauce -- close approximation with full control over the seasoning level.
- Home-cooked pinto beans seasoned with chili powder, cumin, and a little tomato sauce -- most effort, most control.
Storage
The beans continue to soften in their sauce the longer they sit, so a can that looked intact when opened can turn noticeably softer by the time leftovers are used up a few days later.