Heart Healthy Cowboy Beans (Frijoles Charros)

bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: smoked sausage

Turkey bacon is lower in fat, while smoked sausage can be more affordable.

chorizo

🥗Healthier: lean ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Lean ground turkey has less fat, while ground beef is often cheaper.

Soak 1 pound of dried pinto beans overnight in a pot of water in the fridge.

On the day of cooking, drain and rinse the soaked beans.

If using canned beans, substitute 1 pound dried beans with 3 cans (15 oz each) of pinto beans without rinsing them.

In a pot, add 12 ounces of soyrizo and cook until warm, breaking it up as it cooks.

Add 1 diced medium onion to the pot and cook until softened.

Add 4 diced cloves of garlic and cook until fragrant.

Stir in 1.5 teaspoons each of brown sugar, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and coriander.

Add 1 can of fire roasted tomatoes and the drained pinto beans to the pot.

Pour in 1.5 cups of beer or vegetable broth and mix well.

Let the mixture simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and the dish thickens slightly.

Serve garnished with chopped cilantro and lime wedges.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary