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Frijoles Charro beans, also known as Cowboy Beans, is a Mexican dish that can be served either as a main dish or as a side dish. They are hearty and meaty, made with various ingredients like bacon, beef links, chipotle in adobo sauce, tomatoes, onions, garlic, chunks of ham, chorizo, and more
The charro beans are unique since in this dish the beans are immersed in a world of ingredients and flavors. Imagine a plate with beans that also has ham, diced tomatoes, bacon, beef franks, chorizo, and many more ingredients. This authentic Mexican bean recipe originated in the Northern parts of Mexico
Why Are They Called Frijoles Charro Beans?
Charro beans, also known as Frijoles Charros or Mexican Cowboy Beans, are a popular dish in Mexican cuisine. These beans are believed to have derived their name from the traditional Mexican cowboys called “Charros”, who used to cook this dish while out on the range. Today, Charro beans are a beloved food item in Mexico and are often served as a side dish with many Mexican dishes.
Ingredients in Cowboy Beans
- Beans – You can use either canned or homemade pinto or kidney beans, or a combination.
- Vegetables – onion and diced tomatoes with green chiles
- Meat – bacon, Mexican chorizo, ham, beef hot dog
- Spices – black pepper, garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, and Mexican oregano
- Liquid – chicken broth or water
- Chile – chipotle in adobo sauce
How to Make Frijoles Charro Beans | Cowboy Beans
Everything will be in the same pot, so make sure you use a pot large enough for beans and ingredients
- Start with the bacon: I place my bacon in the freezer 30 minutes before cutting…so much easier to cut.
- Cook bacon in your Dutch oven or large pot for 5-7 minutes, or until bacon is crispy on high heat
- Lower heat to medium-high, then diced onions are next, cook for 5 minutes.
- Then Chorizo, I had Homemade Chorizo, but store-bought chorizo comes in tubes or packages of 9 -11 ounces, continue cooking until cooked.
- Add ham cubes and hot dog cubes, and cook for 5 -7 minutes.
- Add the can of diced tomatoes, and minced chipotle in adobo sauce (more if you want spiciness). Add all spices, and garlic and cook for 5 minutes more.
- Add Pinto beans: Home-cooked pinto beans ( 6 1/2 cups) or canned Pinto beans 2 large cans 30 oz. or 4 – 15 oz. cans. Add broth. If you want to add a can of kidney beans, that would add a little more chunkiness to Cowboy beans.
- Bring to a light boil for 10 – 15 minutes, until all is well incorporated. Sprinkle some chopped cilantro on top, grab a crusty loaf of bread, slice it, and dig in!
What Else can I make with Charro Beans?
- Tostadas with Charro Beans – Warm up beans, and mash them like refried beans. Layer on top of a warm tostada shell, beans, cheese, lettuce & tomatoes. Garnish with guacamole, Pico de gallo, or Roasted Jalapeño Salsa.
- Charro Bean Burrito – Charro beans, flour tortilla, and guacamole…wrap up the tortilla and enjoy!
How do I store Charro Beans?
Your cooked beans last about 3 to 5 days in the fridge. To store them, let the beans cool down after cooking, then pop them in the refrigerator within an hour.
Freezing Instructions: Allow the charro beans to cool and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then re-warm in a pot.
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Quick & Easy Frijoles Charro/Mexican Cowboy Beans
Ingredients
- 2 30 oz cans of Pinto Beans
- 1 onion diced
- 1/2 pound 8 slices cooked bacon cut into pieces
- 9 oz. package Mexican chorizo
- 1 1/2 cups ham diced
- 3 Beef hot dogs diced
- 1 14.5 oz Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic minced
- 1 chipotle in adobo sauce minced
- 1 teaspoon chile powder
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp Mexican Oregano
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or large skillet on medium heat put bacon pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes, then add onions.
- Add chorizo next to skillet, and cook for 7-9 minutes on medium-high heat, then add ham and hot dog cubes and cook for 5 minutes. Then add a can of tomatoes and minced chipotle pepper.
- Then add all spices to skillet, then garlic, and cook for about 5 minutes
- Add beans, and broth (water), and bring to a light boil for 10 to 15 minutes. Salt to taste
- Serve alone with a warm crusty loaf of bread or as a side dish
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