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Bowl of Charro Beans garnished with sliced jalapeños.
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5 from 3 votes

Charro Beans

Charro beans are the perfect side dish for any Mexican-inspired meal and a flavorful alternative to simply seasoned pinto beans. Try them tonight!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican/Spanish
Keyword: Charro Beans, Charro Beans Recipe, Frijoles Charros
Servings: 8
Calories: 494kcal
Author: Erica Walker

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried pinto beans
  • 1 pound bacon
  • 1 onion diced
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 12 ounces Rotel
  • 1-2 ounces canned diced jalapeños (add more if you like the heat)
  • 1 bunch cilantro
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Soak the beans 8 hours or overnight or do a quick soak by bringing water to a boil, add beans. Take off the heat and cover with the lid for 1 hour.
    Soaked pinto beans in a wooden spoon holding over the dutch oven.
  • After beans have soaked, cook the bacon, crumble, and set aside.
    Cooking bacon in a dutch oven.
  • Completely drain all but a little of the bacon grease to cook the onion. Sauté onion for 5 minutes until it becomes translucent.
    Onions in a dutch oven.
  • Place soaked beans in the pot with seasonings, beef broth, Rotel, jalapeños. Cook for an hour adding more broth if needed if the beans are soaking it up too quickly.
    Stirring together Charro Bean ingredients with a wooden spoon in a dutch oven.
  • Stir in cilantro and bacon. 
    Stirring in bacon and cilantro into Charro Beans with a wooden spoon.
  • Optional to top with fresh jalapeño slices, cheese, pico, salsa, sour cream, and/or cilantro.
    Large bowl of Charro Beans with a wooden spoon.

Nutrition

Calories: 494kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 1.698mg | Potassium: 1.302mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 292IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 5mg