How to make ⎮Charro Pinto Beans⎮ Frijoles Charros ⎮Recipe

bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: smoked paprika

Turkey bacon reduces fat while adding a smoky flavor.

chorizo

🥗Healthier: chicken chorizo

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Chicken chorizo is leaner, while ground beef is often less expensive.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier but vegetable oil is more budget-friendly.

jalapeños

🥗Healthier: banana peppers

💰Cheaper: bell peppers

Banana peppers are milder, while bell peppers are often cheaper.

Rinse 2 cups of pinto beans after soaking them for about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Drain the beans and transfer them to a pot.

Add 3 liters of water to the pot with the beans.

Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 2 hours.

While the beans are cooking, dice 12 ounces of bacon into 1-inch cubes and cook it in a skillet until crispy.

Remove the bacon from the skillet, leaving about 2 tablespoons of fat in the pan.

Remove the casing from 12 ounces of chorizo and add it to the skillet, cooking for about 10 minutes until browned.

Chop 1/2 of a large onion, 2.5 garlic cloves, and 3 serrano peppers, and prepare to add them to the skillet.

Once the chorizo is cooked, add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, avoiding browning the garlic.

After the beans have simmered for 1.5 hours, add the cooked bacon and the vegetable mixture to the pot.

Add 2 teaspoons of salt to the pot and let it simmer for the last 45 minutes of cooking time.

In the last 5 minutes, add chopped cilantro leaves to the pot and adjust seasoning as necessary.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens