Charros Bean Recipe (Mexican Pinto Beans)

• servings: 12 servings
• active time: 15 minutes
• total time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

8 slices thick-cut Bacon (– cut into small dice, about 10.5 ounces)

1 pound uncooked Mexican Chorizo (– casings removed & roughly chopped)

1 small Yellow Onion (– small dice, about 1 ½ cups)

2 large Jalapenos (– seeded, ribbed & small dice, about ½ cup)

3-4 cloves Garlic (– minced)

1 ½ tsp EACH: Ground Cumin & Dark Brown Sugar

¾ tsp EACH: Chipotle Chili Powder, Mexican Dried Oregano, Smoked Paprika & Coriander

3 (15 ounce) cans reduced-sodium Pinto Beans

1 (15 ounce) can Fire Roasted Tomatoes (– do NOT drain)

1 ½ Cups No-Sodium Chicken or Vegetable Broth (SEE NOTES for making Borracho Beans!)

Kosher Salt (– to taste)

1/3 – ½ Cup Fresh Cilantro (– chopped, or more to taste)

Optional topping: Pico de Gallo

Optional garnish: Lime Wedges

Directions

Cook Bacon

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 tablespoons of bacon grease (fat) from the pot.

Cook Chorizo

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

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 remaining ingredients: Add in the beans and liquid, 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 Beans

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

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 Charro Beans

Serve: Garnish with remaining cilantro, along with fresh tomatoes or Pico de Gallo and jalapenos if using. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

• Calories: 221 kcal
• Total Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 39 mg
• Sodium: 431 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 3 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g
• Total Sugars: 1 g
• Protein: 9 g