Easy Gaucho Beans

Bring bold, hearty flavor to your table with this recipe for Easy Gaucho Beans, a savory South American-inspired dish that's perfect as a side or standalone meal. Made with tender pinto beans, smoky bacon, and a medley of aromatic spices like smoked paprika and cumin, this one-pot wonder is simmered to perfection, allowing all the flavors to meld beautifully. Fresh jalapeño adds a subtle kick, while a squeeze of lime and optional cilantro brighten the dish with a zesty finish. Ready in just over two hours, this crowd-pleasing recipe is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep. Easy to make and packed with protein and flavor, these Gaucho Beans are the ultimate comfort food with a Latin twist. Perfect keywords: Easy Gaucho Beans, smoky pinto beans, South American recipes, one-pot bean dish, flavorful side dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried pinto beans
• 6 cups water
• 4 slices bacon
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes (canned)
• 1 jalapeño, finely diced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
• 4 lime wedges (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried pinto beans under cold water and remove any debris or damaged beans.

Step 2

In a large stockpot, combine the beans and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 60-75 minutes or until the beans are tender. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet, crumble it, and set it aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the skillet.

Step 4

Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the bacon drippings and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and diced jalapeño and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juice), smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 6

Add the cooked beans to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 15-20 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 7

Stir in the crumbled bacon and top with chopped cilantro, if desired.

Step 8

Serve warm with lime wedges on the side for a burst of brightness. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2398.8 grams (2398.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	831

Total Fat 15.30g	20%
Saturated Fat 4.40g	22%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.80g
Cholesterol 32mg	11%
Sodium 4511mg	196%
Total Carbohydrate 133.10g	48%
Dietary Fiber 41.10g	147%
Total Sugars 20.00g
Protein 50.00g	100%

Vitamin D 5IU	26%
Calcium 405mg	31%
Iron 12mg	68%
Potassium 2851mg	61%

*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: 15.8%

Protein: 23.0%

Carbs: 61.2%