Charro Beans

Easy Mexican Charro Beans (aka Frijoles Charros or Cowboy Beans) are guaranteed to be your new favorite side dish! Tender Pinto Beans swimming in a broth of bacon, ham, chorizo, onions, and a handful of seasonings... they're a deliciously robust dish that blows refried beans out of the water!

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 25

Total Time: 35

Servings:

Calories: 152kcal

Author: Cathy Trochelman

Ingredients

4 15 ounce cans pinto beans, undrained
6 slices bacon
7 ounces chorizo sausage
1 cup diced ham steak
2 roma tomatoes diced
1 small yellow onion diced
1/2 cup cilantro chopped
1 jalapeño minced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions

Prepare the vegetables by dicing the onions, tomatoes, and cilantro and mincing the jalapeño and garlic. Prepare the meats by dicing the ham and bacon.
Add the diced bacon, along with the chorizo, to a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, crumbling the chorizo as you go, until the bacon is crispy.
Add in the prepared onions, garlic, and ham. Cook, stirring regularly, until the onions are translucent.
Add in the remaining ingredients, including the liquid from the beans, and simmer uncovered 15-20 minutes. Garnish with additional fresh cilantro as desired.

Notes

Recipe variations

Start with dried pinto beans and prepare according to package instructions
Substitute black beans, kidney beans, navy beans, or Great Northern beans
Use any combination of bacon, ham, chorizo, hot dogs, or little smokies
Make it vegetarian by removing the meat or replacing it with vegan alternatives
Drain the liquid from the beans and replace with an equal amount of chicken broth (2 1/2 cups)
Add adobo seasoning, chili powder, coriander, or bay leaves
Substitute a habanero pepper for the diced jalapeño for extra heat
Adjust the seasoning levels according to taste

Nutrition