Charro Beans Recipes

CHARRO BEANS - AUTHENTIC MEXICAN RECIPE

Steps:

• Add the rinsed beans to a large pot with plenty of water, salt, and a small piece of onion.
• Let boil for about 1.5 hours, checking often to make sure that there is still enough water.
• Add the rinsed beans to a slow cooker with plenty of water, salt, and a small piece of onion.
• Turn the slow cooker on to high and heat for 3 hours.
• Add the bacon to a large pot and cook for about 5 minutes.
• Add the chorizo and continue cooking until cooked through.
• After about 5 minutes, add the ham, the beef franks, and the seasonings (including the garlic).
• Next, add the tomatoes, the cilantro, the onion, the jalapeno, and the chipotle pepper and cook for 5 additional minutes.
• Finally, add the cooked pinto beans and the water that they were cooked in and let boil for about 15 minutes so that all of the flavors can combine.
• If you want to thicken your charro beans, you can combine 2 tablespoons of corn starch with 1/4 cup of cold water and mix well before adding it to the pot.
• Serve hot as a side dish or on its own.

CHARRO BEANS

Steps:

• Give the tomatoes a good rinse and roast them in the oven at 400F for approximately 20 minutes or until you need them.
• Chop up the bacon into small pieces. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until lightly browned (approx. 5-8 minutes depending on the size of the bacon pieces).
• Chop up a 1/2 onion and add it the bacon. I usually reduce heat to mediumish after the bacon is cooked. Let the onion cook for 3-5 minutes or until tender.
• Add 2 minced cloves of garlic and cook briefly, 30-60 seconds.
• Add the roasted tomatoes to the pan (roughly chopping them up in the pan is fine). Also add: 2 cans pinto beans (drained and rinsed), 3 minced chipotles in adobo, 1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano (optional), 1/2 teaspoon salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and 2 cups of stock (or water). Combine well and let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the liquid has reduced down a bit.
• Salt to taste. I added another generous pinch to this batch (so that is approx. 1 teaspoon total) but keep in mind that if you are using store-bought stock that's high in sodium then you won't need to add as much salt. You can also add more heat at this point if you want a more fiery batch.
• Serve immediately. Note that these beans are best served in some of the broth.
• Alternatively, you can use part of the batch to make a bean puree. Simply add them to a blender or food processor and combine into a puree.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

CHARRO BEANS

Steps:

• Pour dry beans into a colander and rinse them off, removing any unwanted pieces. Add to a large pot with 6 cups of water (or enough to cover them by about 2 inches), a small chunk of onion, bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 1 to 2 hours, until the beans are tender, but not bursting. (Mine usually take about 1 hour but depends on how dry/old your beans are). Check them a few times during cooking to make sure they are covered in water and add a little more water if needed.
• Once the beans are tender, drain them, reserving the liquid and pouring it into a measuring cup. Add additional water (or reduce liquid if needed) to make 2 ½ cups of total liquid. Stir in 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon. Set aside.
• Add the bacon and chorizo to a large pot and cook for about 5 minutes or until bacon is cooked. Remove some of the grease. Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent. Add ham (sausages, if using), diced tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, oregano, paprika, cumin, black pepper and cook for 5 additional minutes.
• Add cooked beans and broth and simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper, or additional spices if needed. Garnish with cilantro before serving.
• Serve as a main dish, wish warm tortillas, or as a side dish. When serving as a side dish I like to thicken the beans by adding a cornstarch slurry at the end (1 tablespoon of corn starch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water).

EASY 'CHARRO' BEANS

Steps:

• Fry bacon strips in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. With a slotted spoon, remove bacon to paper towels. Reserve 1/2 cup bacon drippings.
• Place drippings in a large pot, and warm over medium heat. Fry onions until light brown. Stir in ham and chorizo. Reserve 1 cup of beans, and add the rest to the pot, along with the chipotle and garlic.
• Mash the reserved beans, then add to the pot. Simmer beans until thick and soupy, about 30 minutes. (If the beans become too dry, stir in water). Remove chipotle and garlic, and serve.

SLOW COOKER CHARRO BEANS

Steps:

• Place pinto beans into a large container and cover with several inches of cool water; let soak, 8 hours to overnight. Rinse and drain.
• Place beans in a slow cooker with just enough water to cover.
• Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until almost browned and crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomatoes, onions, bell pepper, jalapenos, cilantro, and garlic. Saute in bacon drippings for 2 minutes, then slowly pour in the beer. Add salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin. Bring to a boil. Add this mixture to the beans and water in the slow cooker.
• Cook on Low for 8 hours. Serve.

MEXICAN CHARRO BEANS

Steps:

• Rinse and pick over beans.
• Bring the beans to a boil in a large pot of water and cook over medium heat for 1½ to 2 hours until they tender but still firm.
• Before the beans are done, fry the bacon in a large skillet until halfway cooked.
• Add garlic, tomatoes, onions, and green pepper; continue cooking with bacon until the bacon crisp.
• Add a can of beer to bacon mixture and simmer a few additional minutes, or longer if you like your beans softer.
• Add chopped cilantro and jalapenos; combine everything in one large pot.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.