Mexican Cowboy Beans (Frijoles Charros)

Mexican Cowboy Beans (Frijoles Charros)

This traditional Mexican recipe, Charro Beans Soup, uses pinto beans, chorizo, bacon, tomatoes, onions, and other tasty ingredients.

Course Main Course, Soups

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword authentic mexican charro beans recipe, how to make charro beans soup, mexican charro beans, pinto beans recipe slow cooker

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 313kcal

Author Mely Martínez

Ingredients

6 cups of already cooked pinto beans with their broth **
¼ onion chopped
2 garlic cloves chopped
3 ½ oz. chorizo
3 ½ oz. bacon chopped
2 large tomatoes chopped about 2 ½ cups
2 serrano peppers chopped
1 cup of cilantro chopped

Optional:

3 ½ oz. cooked ham chopped & 1 cup pork cracklings
Salt to taste

Instructions

Cook the Beans

Place 2 cups of dry pinto beans, ¼ of a medium white onion, two peeled garlic cloves, and 8 cups of water in a large pot.
Cook for about 2 hours on a stove-top over medium-high heat or a little longer until they are tender.
Tip: Soaking the beans overnight will speed up this process. I usually use my pressure cooker, and they are ready in 30 minutes!
Place the beans and its broth in a large stockpot and set aside.

Cook the Meats

Fry the bacon and chorizo in a skillet for about 10 minutes over medium heat.
Note: If you prefer to cook the bacon first until it gets crispy and remove the bacon grease, then add the chorizo to cook with the bacon. I just like to cook them together.
At this time, add the ham or other meats like diced hotdog sausages and pork cracklings if you're using them.

Add In The Rest Of The Ingredients

After 5 minutes, add the onion, garlic, and pepper and fry for 2 more minutes.
Stir in the tomatoes and cook, occasionally stirring, for an additional 8 minutes.
Once the tomato has released its juices, stir in this mixture into the pot with the beans and liquid like a sauce consistency.
Simmer for about 15 minutes to blend the flavors.
Add salt — to adjust taste — and chopped cilantro right before serving.

Serve in large bowls and warm tortillas.

Notes

Some cooks also add pork rinds in small pieces.

** Cooking the beans:

To cook the beans, place 2 cups of dry beans, ¼ of a medium white onion, 2 peeled garlic cloves, and 8 cups of water in a large pot. Cook for about 2 hours or a little bit longer until they are tender. Soaking the beans overnight will speed up this process. I usually use my pressure cooker, and they are done in 30 minutes.

Nutrition