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charro beans recipe

Charro Beans Recipe

A hearty and flavorful Mexican charro beans recipe, packed with smoky bacon, spicy chorizo, and tender pinto beans simmered in a rich, savory broth.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican, Mexican-American, Tex-Mex Cuisine
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup dried pinto beans — soaked overnight and drained
  • 4 slices bacon — diced
  • 1/2 lb Mexican chorizo — removed from casing
  • 1/2 medium onion — finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic — minced
  • 2 medium tomatoes — diced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper — diced remove seeds for less heat
  • 4 cups water or broth — for simmering the beans
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin — for smoky flavor
  • Salt and black pepper — to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro — chopped for garnish
  • Optional: 1/2 cup Mexican lager beer — for depth of flavor
  • Optional: 1 lime — cut into wedges for serving

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot — for cooking the beans and broth
  • 1 Skillet — for frying the bacon and chorizo
  • 1 Wooden Spoon — to stir and combine ingredients
  • 1 Ladle — for serving the beans and broth
  • 1 Cutting Board — for chopping vegetables and meats
  • 1 Knife — for slicing and dicing ingredients

Method
 

  1. Rinse and soak pinto beans overnight. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large pot, add soaked beans and cover with water or broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.
  3. In a skillet over medium heat, cook diced bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the fat in the skillet.
  4. Add chorizo to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Add chopped onions, garlic, jalapeño, and cook for another 3–4 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Stir in diced tomatoes and cumin, and cook for another 2 minutes. Optional: add beer for extra depth.
  6. Transfer the cooked mixture to the pot with the simmering beans. Stir well to combine.
  7. Simmer uncovered for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and the broth has thickened slightly.
  8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Before serving, sprinkle fresh cilantro over the top and serve with lime wedges on the side. Enjoy!

Notes

  • For faster prep, you can use canned pinto beans. Adjust cooking time to 20–25 minutes.
  • Spice level is adjustable! Add more jalapeños or even serranos for extra heat.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • This dish tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop.
  • Serve with warm tortillas, cornbread, or as a hearty topping for rice bowls.
charro beans recipe
charro beans recipe
Warm, smoky, and full of flavor — enjoy every comforting spoonful of these homemade charro beans. Serve them with love, and bon appétit! 🫘🔥