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Charro Beans: A Delicious Guide to Making Authentic Mexican Charro Beans at Home

  • Author: Maria
  • Total Time: 130 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x

Description

Enjoy a flavorful and hearty dish of Charro Beans, simmered with spices, fresh vegetables, and optional bacon or chorizo. Perfect as a side or main meal, these beans are easy to prepare and can be customized to suit your taste.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried pinto beans
  • 8 cups water (for soaking and cooking)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium tomatoes, diced
  • 1–2 jalapeño peppers, diced
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 pound bacon or chorizo, diced (optional)
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the dried pinto beans under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
  2. In a large bowl, soak the beans in 8 cups of water for at least 6 hours or overnight.
  3. After soaking, drain the beans and rinse them again under cold water.
  4. In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the soaked and rinsed beans along with 8 cups of fresh water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  5. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the beans simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until they are tender.
  6. Once the beans are tender, remove them from heat and set aside. Do not drain the cooking liquid.
  7. In a separate skillet, cook the diced bacon or chorizo over medium heat until crispy (skip this step for a vegetarian version).
  8. Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the skillet and set it aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
  9. Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.
  10. Stir in the minced garlic and diced jalapeño peppers, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
  11. Add the diced tomatoes to the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes, allowing them to soften and release their juices.
  12. Once the flavor base is ready, add the cooked beans along with their cooking liquid to the skillet. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
  13. Season the mixture with ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
  14. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
  15. If the mixture becomes too thick, add a little more water to reach your desired consistency.
  16. If you cooked bacon or chorizo, stir it back into the pot at this stage.
  17. Once the charro beans are cooked to your liking, remove the pot from heat.
  18. Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness.
  19. Let the beans sit for a few minutes to cool slightly and allow the flavors to settle.
  20. Serve the charro beans hot, garnished with additional cilantro if desired.
  21. Offer lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the beans.
  22. Charro beans can be served as a side dish or as a main dish with rice, tortillas, or cornbread.
  23. For a complete meal, consider pairing with grilled meats or tacos.

Notes

  • Adjust the number of jalapeño peppers based on your spice preference.
  • For a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon or chorizo.
  • Feel free to customize the spices to suit your taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 120 minutes

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Find it online: https://homecookmaria.com/charro-beans/