Authentic Charro Beans

Experience the bold, rich flavors of *Authentic Charro Beans*, a classic Mexican dish that’s bursting with smoky, spicy, and savory goodness. This hearty recipe combines tender pinto beans with crispy bacon, zesty Mexican chorizo, and a medley of fresh ingredients, including roma tomatoes, jalapeños, and cilantro, all simmered to perfection in a fragrant broth infused with cumin and cayenne pepper. Slow-cooked to develop its deep, comforting flavors, this dish makes an ideal side for tacos, enchiladas, or carne asada, but is satisfying enough to stand on its own when served with warm tortillas. Whether you're hosting a fiesta or looking for a soul-warming meal, these charro beans are an authentic, crowd-pleasing staple that will transport your taste buds straight to Mexico. Perfect for meal prep and packed with protein, it’s a dish that’s as nourishing as it is delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:210 mins

Total Time:230 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried pinto beans
• 8 slices bacon
• 8 ounces Mexican chorizo
• 1 large white onion
• 4 garlic cloves
• 4 medium Roma tomatoes
• 2 medium jalapeños
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 6 cups vegetable stock or water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 lime

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and sort 1 pound of dried pinto beans, removing any debris or stones.

Step 2

Place the beans in a large bowl and cover with water. Let them soak overnight or for at least 8 hours.

Step 3

Drain and rinse the soaked beans and set aside.

Step 4

In a large pot over medium heat, cook 8 slices of bacon until crispy. Remove and crumble the bacon, setting it aside, but leave the bacon fat in the pot.

Step 5

Add 8 ounces of Mexican chorizo to the same pot and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Remove the chorizo and set aside.

Step 6

Finely chop 1 large white onion and mince 4 garlic cloves. Add them to the pot and sauté in the remaining fat until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 7

Dice 4 medium Roma tomatoes and 2 medium jalapeños, and add them to the pot. Stir and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 8

Add the drained beans, 6 cups of vegetable stock or water, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, and 0.5 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the pot.

Step 9

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer until the beans are tender, about 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally.

Step 10

Add the cooked bacon and chorizo back into the pot, stir to combine, and raise the heat to medium. Cook uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to thicken the sauce.

Step 11

Chop 1 bunch of cilantro and stir it into the beans. Adjust the seasoning with more salt or spices, if necessary.

Step 12

Squeeze the juice of 1 lime over the beans, give it a final stir, and serve hot as a side dish or as a main course with warm tortillas.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2860.7 grams (2860.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2255

Total Fat 115.00g	147%
Saturated Fat 38.50g	193%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.00g
Cholesterol 236mg	79%
Sodium 13287mg	578%
Total Carbohydrate 187.20g	68%
Dietary Fiber 56.30g	201%
Total Sugars 29.40g
Protein 128.00g	256%

Vitamin D 10IU	51%
Calcium 472mg	36%
Iron 18mg	102%
Potassium 6132mg	130%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.1%

Protein: 22.3%

Carbs: 32.6%