Best Mexican Charra Beans Recipes

EASY CHARRO BEANS - MEXICAN PINTO BEANS

Steps:

• Cook bacon: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the bacon (add a splash of neutral oil if you are using lean bacon) and cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is cooked and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon and remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Turn off heat and drain or blot all but 2 TBS fat from the pot.
• Cook the chorizo: Increase heat to medium-high and add the chorizo to the pot. Cook undisturbed for 1 ½ minutes. Flip and cook another 1 minute undisturbed. Stir and continue to cook, using the back of a wooden spoon to break the chorizo up into small pieces, until browned, about 1 more minute. Use a slotted spoon and remove the chorizo to a SEPARATE paper towel-lined plate. Turn off heat and drain or blot all but 1 tablespoon of grease from the pot.
• Sauté vegetables + seasonings: Decrease heat to medium and add the onions and jalapenos. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, sugar, chili powder, oregano and paprika. Season with ½ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add remaining ingredients: Add in the beans, tomatoes, broth (or beef if using) and the reserved chorizo to the pot. Stir well to combine. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a rapid simmer. Immediately reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
• Simmer: Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes, or until slightly thickened. (NOTE: For soupier, more stew-like beans, cover the pot and simmer for the first 15 minutes, then remove the cover and simmer an additional 10 minutes.)
• Add bacon, cilantro & adjust for seasoning: Turn off the heat and add the bacon and half the cilantro. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Serve: Garnish with remaining cilantro, along with fresh tomatoes or Pico de Gallo and jalapenos if using. Serve and enjoy!

CHARRO BEANS

Steps:

• Give the tomatoes a good rinse and roast them in the oven at 400F for approximately 20 minutes or until you need them.
• Chop up the bacon into small pieces. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until lightly browned (approx. 5-8 minutes depending on the size of the bacon pieces).
• Chop up a 1/2 onion and add it the bacon. I usually reduce heat to mediumish after the bacon is cooked. Let the onion cook for 3-5 minutes or until tender.
• Add 2 minced cloves of garlic and cook briefly, 30-60 seconds.
• Add the roasted tomatoes to the pan (roughly chopping them up in the pan is fine). Also add: 2 cans pinto beans (drained and rinsed), 3 minced chipotles in adobo, 1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano (optional), 1/2 teaspoon salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and 2 cups of stock (or water). Combine well and let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the liquid has reduced down a bit.
• Salt to taste. I added another generous pinch to this batch (so that is approx. 1 teaspoon total) but keep in mind that if you are using store-bought stock that's high in sodium then you won't need to add as much salt. You can also add more heat at this point if you want a more fiery batch.
• Serve immediately. Note that these beans are best served in some of the broth.
• Alternatively, you can use part of the batch to make a bean puree. Simply add them to a blender or food processor and combine into a puree.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

CHARRO BEANS

Steps:

• Pour dry beans into a colander and rinse them off, removing any unwanted pieces. Add to a large pot with 6 cups of water (or enough to cover them by about 2 inches), a small chunk of onion, bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 1 to 2 hours, until the beans are tender, but not bursting. (Mine usually take about 1 hour but depends on how dry/old your beans are). Check them a few times during cooking to make sure they are covered in water and add a little more water if needed.
• Once the beans are tender, drain them, reserving the liquid and pouring it into a measuring cup. Add additional water (or reduce liquid if needed) to make 2 ½ cups of total liquid. Stir in 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon. Set aside.
• Add the bacon and chorizo to a large pot and cook for about 5 minutes or until bacon is cooked. Remove some of the grease. Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent. Add ham (sausages, if using), diced tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, oregano, paprika, cumin, black pepper and cook for 5 additional minutes.
• Add cooked beans and broth and simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper, or additional spices if needed. Garnish with cilantro before serving.
• Serve as a main dish, wish warm tortillas, or as a side dish. When serving as a side dish I like to thicken the beans by adding a cornstarch slurry at the end (1 tablespoon of corn starch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water).

EASY 'CHARRO' BEANS

Steps:

• Fry bacon strips in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. With a slotted spoon, remove bacon to paper towels. Reserve 1/2 cup bacon drippings.
• Place drippings in a large pot, and warm over medium heat. Fry onions until light brown. Stir in ham and chorizo. Reserve 1 cup of beans, and add the rest to the pot, along with the chipotle and garlic.
• Mash the reserved beans, then add to the pot. Simmer beans until thick and soupy, about 30 minutes. (If the beans become too dry, stir in water). Remove chipotle and garlic, and serve.