Best Frijoles Recipes

ABUELO PELáEZ'S FRIJOLES NEGROS (BLACK BEANS)

Steps:

• In a large pot, soak beans overnight in 10 cups of water.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil, the onion, bell pepper, garlic cloves and bay leaf to beans, and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium and simmer for 1 hour, checking regularly and skimming the foam that forms on top.
• Meanwhile, make the sofrito. Warm remaining 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the half onion, 1 bell pepper and 3 garlic cloves and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft. Add 1 bay leaf, cumin, oregano, black pepper and salt, and cook for 2 minutes more.
• Add the sofrito to beans. Stir in sherry vinegar, wine and olives, and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook, covered, for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened and cooked through. Remove both bay leaves, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and add sugar. Serve as soup or a side dish, or over white rice.

FRIJOLES REFRITOS (REFRIED BEANS)

Steps:

• Combine water, pinto beans, and garlic into a large pot and cover; Cook over low heat for 5 1/2 hours; stir salt into beans and continue cooking until beans are very soft, about 30 minutes more.
• Heat canola oil in a skillet over high heat. Spoon the beans into the skillet without draining excess water; mash beans using a potato masher until they begin to lose their shape, about 3 minutes.

FRIJOLES (MEXICAN STYLE PINTO BEANS)

Steps:

• Soak beans according to package directions; drain.
• Heat oil in stock pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat.
• Add salt pork; cook 2 minutes, until browned.
• Reduce heat to medium; add onions and chile and cook 4 minutes.
• Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
• Add drained beans, water and cumin seed.
• Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
• Add salt and continue to cook 25 to 35 minutes more, until tender.
• (Can be made ahead. Cool. Transfer to large microwaveproof container. Cover and refrigerate overnight. To reheat: Microwave on high 10 minutes, stirring once after 5 minutes, until heated through.) Makes 7 cups.
• Refries Beans (frijoles refritos):.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or lard in large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add 1/2 cup finely chopped onion and cook 2 to 3 minutes, until browned.
• Add 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic and cook 30 seconds.
• Add 2 cups cooked beans and 1/3 to 1/2 cup bean liquid to skilet.
• (Or, microwave 2 cups refrigerated beans and 1/3 to 1/2 cup bean liquid on High, 2 to 3 minutes, until room temperature, and add to skillet).
• Mash beans and liquid coarsely with back of wooden spoon or potato masher.
• Cook 1 to 2 minutes more, untilheated through, addingmore bean liquid or water if needed.
• Transfer beans to a food processor.
• Process just until smooth.
• Makes 2 cups (4 servings).

CHARRO BEANS (FRIJOLES CHARROS)

Steps:

• Place ham hocks into a large pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Boil until meat pulls back on bone, about 2 hours. Remove meat from bones, cut into bite-sized chunks. Reserve the bones but discard any fat.
• Chop 1/2 of the white onion, and leave other 1/2 whole; set aside.
• Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels, and chop when cool enough to handle. Pour bacon grease into a small bowl.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir chorizo in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Place chorizo into a bowl with chopped bacon, tomatoes, chopped onion, and jalapenos.
• Place ham chunks and bones into a large pot, pour pinto beans over top. Add water to cover and bring to a boil over medium or medium-high heat.
• Meanwhile, heat bacon grease in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chorizo and vegetable mixture and saute until vegetables are soft, 5 to 7 minutes.
• When beans boil, add the remaining onion half and garlic. Let boil for 3 to 4 minutes; add sauteed vegetables and meat. Return to a boil; add cilantro and chicken bouillon. Continue to boil for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove bones, season with salt, and serve.

FRIJOLES BORRACHOS: DRUNKEN BEANS

Steps:

• Wash the beans thoroughly in cold water, discarding any stones or rotten beans.
• Place the beans in a wide, short saucepot (rondeau), and cover with water by 2 inches. Cook for 30 minutes, and then, add the tomatoes, onions, jalapeno, garlic, bay leaves, oregano, and beer. Cook until the beans are tender, about another 30 minutes.
• With a potato masher, crush the beans, to thicken the bean liquid. Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.

FRIJOLES NEGROS (CUBAN BLACK BEANS)

Steps:

• Fry the onion and pepper in a little oil.
• Add the garlic and saute a little.
• Introduce a little of the bean liquid until all previous ingredients are soft.
• Add the beans with the remaining liquid.
• Add spices and simmer about 30 minutes.
• Add the vinegar just before serving.
• These are quite good when served over a bed of rice seasoned with just lime.

FRIJOLES III

Steps:

• Place beans in a large pot with onion, cilantro, jalapeno pepper, garlic, and lard; add enough water to cover with 4 to 5 inches of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook for 2 to 3 hours. Depending on the beans, it may take up to 5 hours. Add more water if necessary.
• When beans are soft, season to taste with salt.

BLACK BEANS AND RICE(ARROZ CON FRIJOLES NEGROS)

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat the oil on medium.
• Stir in the onion and pepper, add the garlic.
• Cook until tender or about 8-10 minutes.
• Stir in the remaining ingredients.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Serve over the white rice.

ABUELA'S FRIJOLES NEGROS - GRANDMA'S CUBAN BLACK BEANS

Steps:

• Wash beans and let them soak in water and half of the green pepper over night at room temperature.
• Once beans have swollen, simmer on stove until they become soft (about 45 minutes).
• Heat olive oil in pan and sauté onion, garlic, and the rest of the green pepper.
• Add 1 cup of the coked beans to pan and mash well.
• Return entire mixture to pot with beans.
• Add salt, pepper, oregano, bay leaf, and sugar.
• Cover and return to boil.
• Simmer for 1 hour longer.
• Add vinegar and dry wine, cover and simmer for one hour longer.
• If beans are still too wet after this time, cook uncovered until they thicken.
• Remove bay leaf and top with olive oil prior to serving.

MIMA'S CUBAN BLACK BEANS ( FRIJOLES NEGROS CUBANOS DE MIMA)

Steps:

• 1. Sort and clean beans, then rinse twice in cool water. In a heavy cooking pot, add water to cover the beans completely and soak overnight in the refrigerator. NOTE: what ever I have put in the above recipe that states Set Aside for Later does not go into the pot now. (Example recipe calls for 3/4 cup olive oil, half goes in now; the other 1/4 cup gets set aside for later). Next morning do not throw soaking water away put on the stove, to the pot add one whole green pepper core and seeds removed, cut pepper in half; add the two halves like this to the pot. Add half cup olive oil, three cloves garlic smashed, 2 tbls vinegar, 1/2 tsp oregano, cumin, salt, bay leaf, 1 tsp of sugar, and 2 tabelspoons red wine. Cover and cook on medium low flame for about 2 1/2 hours.
• 2. While beans are cooking make this sofrito, This sofrito should be added to the beans, after two and a half hour of cooking has past. In a large skillet heat remaing 1/4 cup olive oil; add the other remaining diced green pepper,the diced onion, the three cloves of remaining smashed garlic, plus the teaspoon of garlic powder; plus the 1/2 tablespoon of sugar, the black pepper, and remaining 1/2 tsp of oregano; and saute until onion and peppers are limp. Next add about 20 olives whole from the jar do not mince or cut and add the fire roasted pimento strips. salt to taste saute for another minute and set aside. After 2 1/2 hours have passed add your sofrito mixture to the simmering beans; give a good stir. Cover and cook for another hour. After your hour has passed uncover the pot and with a potato masher, Mash down two or three times only. (No more then three times). Next take a large spoon and give another good stir making sure to mix everything very good. If the liquid level in the bean pot has dropped down or has started to absorb add another one cup of water. Stir well again taste to see if they have enough seasoning (salt) Cover again and cook for another hour always on a low simmer. Total time now should be 4 1/2 hours. Uncover pot; Beans should be sort of thick not watery, They will not be real thick either, if still a little watery uncover the pot and cook for another half hour uncoverd. Stir often to be sure your beans do not stick to the bottom of the pot. Taste to see once again if seasoning is right salt and pepper and serve on top of fluffy white rice. I have a recipe for white rice posted. You can also eat the beans in a bowl with crusty cuban bread, however, they are almost always eaten on top of white rice or on the side. traditionaly almost always a fresh ham roast is served with the rice and beans or at Christmas a whole pig is roasted and served with these beans and rice. Enjoy
• 3. I will post a picture this weekend of the finished beans.

CUBAN BLACK BEANS (FRIJOLES NEGROS)

Steps:

• Combine black beans in a large pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, garlic, sugar, bay leaf, sazon seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper; stir to combine. Stir in onion and bell pepper. Cover pot and simmer until flavors are well combined and onions and bell peppers are cooked thoroughly, 8 to 15 minutes.
• Remove lid and adjust seasoning.

FRIJOLES A LA CHARRA

Steps:

• Place pinto beans in a slow cooker, and completely cover with water. Mix in garlic and salt. Cover, and cook 1 hour on High.
• Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium high heat until evenly brown, but still tender. Drain about half the fat. Place onion in the skillet, and cook until tender. Mix in tomatoes and jalapenos, and cook until heated through. Transfer to the slow cooker, stirring into the beans.
• Cover slow cooker, and continue cooking 4 hours on Low. Mix in the beer and cilantro about 30 minutes before the end of the cook time.

BEAN TAMALES (TAMELES DE FRIJOLES)

Steps:

• Place corn husks in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for a few hours. Drain, place on a work surface, and cover with a clean, damp towel.
• Place ancho chiles in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Drain.
• Combine ancho chiles, garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and a little water in a blender; blend salsa until smooth. Strain through a sieve.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 the salsa and cook, 3 to 5 minutes. Add refried beans, stir well, and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Beat lard with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add masa and beat until well combined. Add remaining salsa and continue beating until dough has a uniform red color.
• Select 1 wide corn husk. Spread about 2 tablespoons masa mixture onto the the corn husk, filling it up to 2 inches from the bottom and 1/4 inch from the top. Place 1 tablespoon of beans and 1 jalapeno slice in the center of the masa mixture. Fold sides of husk together, one over the other. Fold the bottom of the husk over the seam of the 2 folded sides. Repeat with remaining husks.
• Place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add tamales with the open side up and cook until filling is heated through and separates from the husk, about 1 hour. Let tamales rest for 15 minutes before serving.

BLACK BEANS (FRIJOLES NEGROS)

Steps:

• Wash the beans and soak overnight in the water. When the beans swell, cook in the same water until soft, about 45 minutes. Heat 1 cup oil in a frying pan, add onions, garlic and green peppers. Add 1 cup of the beans to the pan and mash. Add this to the beans together with the salt, pepper, if using, oregano, bay leaves and sugar. Allow to boil for a 1 hour then add the wine and vinegar allowing to cook uncovered for a while. Add the 4 remaining tablespoons olive oil just before serving.

EASY COWBOY BEANS (FRIJOLES CHARROS)

Steps:

• Combine pinto beans, tomatoes with green chile peppers, ham, cilantro, red onion, garlic, black pepper, and hot sauce in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour.

FRIJOLES DE OLLA

Steps:

• Measure water and lard into a large pot. Bring to a boil and add beans. Cook over medium heat for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Season with salt and continue cooking until tender, about 30 more minutes.

REFRIED BEANS: FRIJOLES REFRITOS

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, bring the beans to a boil in 8 cups water. Let boil for 15 minutes and skim off any scum that rises to the surface. Drain beans in a colander and rinse. Wash out the pot and return the beans to the pot with 8 cups fresh water. Bring to a simmer, cover and let cook until tender, about 2 hours over low heat.
• In a large saute pan, heat oil over medium-high heat until it begins to shimmer. Add onion and garlic and saute until the onion turns translucent. Add chili powder, salt, and pepper, and cook for a few minutes to allow flavors to integrate. Drain beans and add to pan, mashing the ingredients together. Heat through and serve with minced cilantro or minced parsley sprinkled on top.

FRIJOLES REFRITOS (CLASSIC MEXICAN REFRIED BEANS)

Steps:

• Mash the beans in a bowl.
• In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
• Add the onion and the garlic; cook and stir until onion is deep golden, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in the mashed beans and cook for about one minute.
• Add salt to taste.
• Makes about one pint.

MEXICAN BEAN STEW ("FRIJOLES DE LA OLLA")

Steps:

• Combine the beans, garlic, onion, and bay leaves in a medium pot. Add enough water to reach about 1 1/2 inches over the beans. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the beans are tender, about 2 hours. Add more water if the beans are absorbing too much liquid. The beans should be soupy when done, with plenty of liquid remaining. Season the beans with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Ladle the beans and cooking liquid into soup bowls and garnish with Mexican crema, cilantro and chopped white onions. Alternatively, the beans can be drained and use as a filling for soft tacos.

MEXICAN CHARRO PINTO BEANS, FRIJOLES CHARROS PINTOS

Steps:

• 1. Clean sort and rinse pinto beans in cold water. Put into a deep heavy pot add about 10/12 cups cold water. Put on stove over a high flame, add all of the meats and the salt pork. Do not add the stew meat yet.
• 2. In a separate pot add the oil, heat and brown the stew meat until seared on all sides then add to the pot of beans with the remaining oil in the pot.
• 3. Add all of the vegetables, onions, peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, bay leaves, spices, and seasonings. Add vinegar and stir well cover and lower the flame cook for about 5 to 6 hours.
• 4. While cooking check beans and stir about once every hour. Taste bean broth to make sure the beans are seasoned just right "Salt" Cook until beans are tender and meats are fork tender. Taste to see if they have enough salt and pepper.
• 5. Serve with hot buttered tortillas, and some Pico de Gallo or Salsa on the side. You can also serve along side Mexican rice (see my post for Mexican rice) with the salsa and tortillas. No need to make any other meat. Charro beans are loaded with Meat. Enjoy