Frijoles Charros (Cowboy Beans)

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

Servings: 6–8 servings

Country of Origin

Mexico (Northern Mexico)

Description

Frijoles Charros ("Cowboy Beans") is a hearty, soup-like side dish named after Mexican horsemen (charros). Tender pinto beans are simmered in a rich broth studded with bacon, chorizo, ham, tomatoes, onions, and pickled jalapeños.

Presentation & How It's Eaten

Served hot in bowls alongside grilled meats (like Carne Asada or Pollo Asado), topped with fresh cilantro. It is eaten with a spoon or scooped with warm tortillas.

Ingredients

• 4 cups cooked pinto beans with their broth (or 2 cans undrained)

• 150g (5 oz) thick-cut bacon, chopped

• 100g (3.5 oz) Mexican pork chorizo, casing removed

• 100g (3.5 oz) cooked ham or hot dogs (salchichas), diced

• 1/2 white onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 ripe tomatoes, diced

• 2 pickled jalapeños, chopped (plus 1 tbsp pickle juice)

• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• 1 cup beef or chicken broth

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Crisp Bacon & Chorizo: In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat, fry chopped bacon until crisp. Add Mexican chorizo, crumbling with a spoon, and cook for 5 minutes until fully rendered.

2. Add Meats & Aromatics: Stir in diced ham, onion, and garlic. Cook for 3–4 minutes until onions soften in rendered fat.

3. Incorporate Tomatoes & Peppers: Add diced tomatoes and chopped pickled jalapeños. Cook for 4 minutes until tomatoes soften.

4. Simmer Beans: Pour in cooked pinto beans with broth, plus 1 cup additional beef/chicken broth and jalapeño pickle juice. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 15–20 minutes to meld flavors.

5. Finish & Serve: Stir in fresh cilantro, adjust salt, and serve piping hot in bowls.

Optional

• Beer Broth: Replace half of added broth with Mexican dark beer (like Negra Modelo) for deeper complexity.

Cooking Tips

• Keep it Brothy: Frijoles Charros should remain soupier than refried beans; don't boil off all the liquid.

Nutrition Facts

(Estimated per serving, based on an 8-serving breakdown)

Calories: ~290 kcal

Total Fat: 15g

Saturated Fat: 5g

Cholesterol: 30mg

Sodium: 680mg

Total Carbohydrates: 24g

Dietary Fiber: 7g

Sugars: 3g

Protein: 14g