Difficulty Level: easy
For anyone who hasn’t enjoyed a charro beans dish, you’re in for a treat. They’re perfect as a main, but we recommend using this recipe as a side. Cook it once, and re-use it over a few days.
The flavor is fantastic, with bacon, onion, garlic, tomatoes, and jalapeño. The spices bring it all to life, and you’ll be using this recipe for years to come.
The big thing about this dish is that it’s protein on a budget. Don’t be put off by the beans being the main ingredient, once cooked, they pack in so much flavor that you won’t even know you’re eating beans.
Also, whatever you do, once cooked, don’t throw the broth away. Get some crusty bread and mop it up, you’ll thank us for that tip later.
If this Mexican-style bean dish sounds appealing, check out the ingredients and steps below.
Mexican-Style Charro Beans Recipe Ingredients
- 2 cups dried pinto beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
- 6 cups water
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 large tomatoes, chopped
- 2 jalapeños, diced (seeds removed for less heat)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, cut into wedges, for serving
Mexican-Style Charro Beans Recipe Instructions
- Put the beans and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook about 1 hour, until the beans are starting to soften.
- While the beans simmer, cook the bacon in a skillet until it renders fat and turns crisp. Remove bacon to a plate, leave the drippings.
- Add onion to the bacon fat and cook 3 minutes, then add garlic and jalapeño and cook 1 minute more.
- Stir in tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 2 minutes so the spices bloom.
- Scrape the skillet mixture into the pot of beans. Simmer another 30 minutes, until the beans are tender and the broth tastes rich.
- Stir the crispy bacon back in. Taste and adjust salt.
- Serve hot with cilantro on top. Tortillas on the side make it feel like dinner.