Frijoles Charros

Embark on a journey of bold, authentic Mexican flavors with Frijoles Charros, a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for any occasion. This traditional cowboy beans recipe combines tender pinto beans simmered to perfection with smoky bacon, zesty Mexican chorizo, and a medley of fresh ingredients like tomatoes, jalapeño, and cilantro. Enhanced with aromatic spices and a splash of chicken broth, each spoonful delivers a rich, savory taste that's both comforting and irresistible. Ready in just under 2 hours, this one-pot wonder is ideal as a crowd-pleasing side dish or a standalone meal. Garnished with a squeeze of fresh lime, Frijoles Charros will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Mexico. Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or weeknight dinners, this flavorful recipe is sure to become a new favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:140 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups Dried pinto beans
• 8 cups Water
• 6 slices Bacon
• 8 ounces Mexican chorizo
• 1 medium White onion
• 2 large Tomatoes
• 1 large Jalapeño
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves
• 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground cumin
• 2 cups Chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Vegetable oil
• 4 pieces Lime wedges (for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried pinto beans in a colander under cool water. Inspect and remove any debris or damaged beans.

Step 2

Place the rinsed beans in a large pot, add 8 cups of water, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for about 1.5 hours, or until the beans are tender. Drain the beans and set aside.

Step 3

Dice the bacon into small pieces. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the Mexican chorizo. Cook the chorizo thoroughly, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Remove it with a slotted spoon and set it aside with the bacon.

Step 5

Dice the onion, tomatoes, and jalapeño. Mince the garlic cloves.

Step 6

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in the skillet or Dutch oven (if needed) over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3–4 minutes.

Step 7

Stir in the tomatoes, jalapeño, and garlic. Cook for another 4–5 minutes until the tomatoes soften.

Step 8

Add the cooked beans, bacon, and chorizo back into the pot. Stir in 2 cups of chicken broth, salt, pepper, and ground cumin.

Step 9

Lower the heat to medium-low and allow the mixture to simmer gently for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally to let the flavors meld together.

Step 10

Chop the fresh cilantro and stir it into the pot during the final 5 minutes of cooking.

Step 11

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 12

Serve the Frijoles Charros hot, garnished with lime wedges for a bright, tangy finish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3513.6 grams (3513.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2046

Total Fat 120.30g	154%
Saturated Fat 38.20g	191%
Polyunsaturated Fat 12.40g
Cholesterol 220mg	73%
Sodium 9960mg	433%
Total Carbohydrate 131.20g	48%
Dietary Fiber 39.00g	139%
Total Sugars 16.70g
Protein 114.60g	229%

Vitamin D 8IU	39%
Calcium 444mg	34%
Iron 14mg	79%
Potassium 4286mg	91%

*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: 52.4%

Protein: 22.2%

Carbs: 25.4%