Name: Bean Cakes Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 20 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 20 oz pinto beans; 8 cups water; 1 cup onion; ¼ tsp black pepper; 2 tsp salt; 2 cups pinto beans; ¼ cup red bell pepper; ¼ cup yellow bell pepper; ¼ cup green onion; 1 tbsp cilantro; ½ tsp lime juice; ½ tsp salt; ¼ tsp black pepper; 3 tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 egg; ½ cup peanut oil; 20 tsp sour cream; 20 tsp salsa; 20 tsp sharp cheddar cheese

How To Make Bean Cakes

These pinto bean cakes offer flavorful Southwest appetizers! They're made with bell peppers and simple seasonings.

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 3 hrs

Total: 3 hrs 20 mins

Serves:

Ingredients

For Beans:

20 oz pinto beans, dried, such as Hurst’s HamBeens® Pinto Beans with Ham Flavor
8 cups water
1 cup onion, diced
¼ tsp black pepper
2 tsp salt

For Pinto Bean Cakes:

2 cups pinto beans, cooked, cooled and well drained
¼ cup red bell pepper, finely diced
¼ cup yellow bell pepper, finely diced
¼ cup green onion, diced
1 tbsp cilantro, minced
½ tsp lime juice
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
½ cup peanut oil, use more or less as needed, for frying

For Garnish:

20 tsp sour cream
20 tsp salsa
20 tsp sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions

Beans:

Set aside the ham seasoning packet included with the beans for use later. Rinse the dry beans under cool water and remove any debris, if necessary.
Place the beans in a large pot and cover with water at least two inches above the height of the beans. Bring to a rapid boil. Remove from heat and let stand for one hour.
After 1 hour, add onion and pepper and continue cooking in the same water for additional 1 hour. Add additional water during the cooking time only if needed.
Cook until beans are tender. Near the end of the cooking time, add the ham seasoning packet and salt. Let the beans cool to room temperature or refrigerate overnight before continuing with the recipe.

Pinto Bean Cakes:

Place the cooled, drained beans in a large mixing bowl. Mash the beans thoroughly using a potato masher, fork, or in a blender or food processor.
Add the red and yellow bell pepper, green onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, pepper, flour, and egg. Stir together until thoroughly combined. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes while heating the oil.
Place about 3 tablespoons of peanut oil in a non-stick skillet and heat the oil over medium-high heat. Drop the bean mixture by tablespoonfuls into the hot oil. Press gently to slightly flatten the bean cake.
Fry for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side or until golden brown. Do not try to turn the bean cake until the first side is very nicely golden brown. Flip the cakes over and fry the second side for about 3 more minutes or until browned.
Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Repeat until all the bean mixture is used. Add additional oil if needed.
Top the cakes with a small dollop of sour cream, a tiny bit of salsa, and a bit of grated cheddar cheese and cilantro.