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charro beans recipe

Easy Charro Beans Recipe

This Easy Charro Beans Recipe transforms humble pinto beans into a soul-warming Mexican masterpiece with smoky, hearty flavors. It's authentic cowboy cooking that brings people together around tables where stories are shared and memories are made, one perfectly seasoned spoonful at a time.
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Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Keyword: authentic charro beans, charro beans recipe, cowboy beans recipe, frijoles charros, Mexican charro beans, pinto bean stew
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Soaking Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 10 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 cups
Calories: 240kcal
Cost: $4.25

Equipment

  • 1 Large Dutch oven or heavy pot For slow simmering beans and building flavor layers
  • 1 Fine mesh strainer To drain and rinse soaked beans properly
  • 1 Sharp knife For chopping vegetables and meat efficiently
  • 1 cutting board For safe vegetable and meat preparation
  • 1 Wooden Spoon For stirring without scratching pot surface
  • 1 Ladle For serving hot beans into bowls

Ingredients

  • 1 lb dried pinto beans soaked overnight
  • 6 slices bacon or 4 oz chorizo chopped
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 medium jalapeños seeded and diced
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
  • 6 cups chicken broth or water
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin essential for authentic flavor
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder adds depth
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika for smoky flavor
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro chopped for serving
  • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

Instructions

  • Prep the Beans.
    prep the beans for charro beans

Drain soaked beans and rinse well. Pick out any bad beans or stones. Set aside while you start the flavor base.

  • Build Flavor Base.
    build flavor base for charro beans

Cook bacon or chorizo in large pot until crispy. Add onion and garlic, cook until soft about 5 minutes. Stir in jalapeños and cook 2 minutes more. Add tomatoes and spices, cook until fragrant.

  • Simmer Everything.
    simmer everything for charro beans

Add drained beans and broth to cover by 2 inches. Bring to boil, then reduce to gentle simmer. Cook 1.5-2 hours until beans are tender, stirring occasionally and adding more broth if needed.

  • Finish and Serve.
    finish up charro beans with cilantro and lime

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in fresh cilantro just before serving. Serve hot with lime wedges and optional queso fresco.

    Notes

    The secret soul of authentic charro beans lies in that magical alchemy where time, patience, and simple ingredients transform into something greater than their parts. This recipe carries the essence of Mexican ranch cooking , where every pot tells a story of hard work rewarded, community gathered, and traditions passed down through generations who understood that the best meals are never rushed, only savored.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.5g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 650mg | Potassium: 680mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 420IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 3.2mg