The Best Mexican Beans Recipes

AUTHENTIC TRADITIONAL MEXICAN BEANS- FRIJOLES AUTENTICOS MEXICANOS

Steps:

• Check for a date on the beans; freshness matters. Dried beans last up to two years, but are best cooked within a year of harvest.
• Always rinse beans before cooking, and check for stray rocks, twigs and leaves.
• Wash them well and place them in a pot with clean water to soak over night. Next day, drain the water and put fresh water over them, then continue with the recipe.
• If you do not want to let them soak overnight, place the chopped onions, salt and garlic together in the pot, cover it with a lid and bring it to a boil.
• When the beans start boiling, reduce the heat and let them simmer for about 90 minutes to 2 hours until the beans are soft. The time varies based on the type of beans or how dry they are.
• Make sure that there is enough water during the cooking process. There should always be liquid covering your beans as they cook.
• To make sure your beans are cooked thoroughly, scoop up a couple of beans and blow on them. The skin should curl and wrinkle. Then taste. They are done when they're tender and cooked through to the center (but not mushy). Let them cool in their cooking liquid.
• Before removing the beans from the heat, add the epazote.
• Serve them with salads, rice, warm corn tortillas, grilled meats etc.

THE BEST MEXICAN BEANS

Steps:

• Place pre-soaked and rinsed beans in a large stockpot. Fill with water to cover two inches above beans.
• Add garlic, peppers, onion, cumin, chili powder and bring to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I keep the lid off. Stir occasionally.
• Keep checking the beans to taste until tender and lovely. Add salt little by little until it's perfect for you.
• Add cilantro on top of individual servings. Yum!

MEXICAN RICE AND BEANS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven. Add the garlic, green onions and jalapeno and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add the rice. Cook, stirring to make sure the rice doesn't burn, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken broth, cumin, salt, pepper, turmeric, beans, diced tomatoes and diced tomatoes and green chiles and stir together. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer until the rice is not quite done, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Top the rice and beans with the cheese, then bake with the lid off until the cheese is melted and the rice is fully cooked, about 15 minutes more. Top with chopped cilantro before serving.

MEXICAN BEANS

Steps:

• Combine beans and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 3 hours. Add more water if necessary while beans are cooking.
• In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until it is beginning to brown. Stir in onion, and continue cooking until onion is tender. Stir in tomato, and jalapeno, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in cilantro.
• Stir bacon and onion mixture into the beans, and continue cooking for 1 hour, or until beans are soft.

CLASSIC MEXICAN FRIED BEANS WITH ONIONS AND GARLIC

Steps:

• In a large well seasoned or nonstick skillet, heat the oil or pork fat over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until deep golden, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, cook for a minute or so, then use a slotted spoon to scoop in about 1/4 of the beans, leaving most of the liquid behind. With a bean or potato masher, or the back of a large spoon, mash the beans into a coarse puree. Add another portion of the beans, mash them in, and continue until all the beans have been added and coarsely mashed. Add about a cup of bean liquid or water and stir frequently over the heat until the beans are still a little soupier than you'd like to serve them (they'll thicken as they sit.) Taste and season with salt if needed.

MEXICAN BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
• In a large bowl, combine beans, tomato sauce, onion, beer, molasses, mustard, jalapeno pepper, Worcestershire sauce and red pepper flakes; mix well.
• Transfer to a 1-quart casserole dish and bake 45-50 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed.
• Remove from oven; stir in cilantro and serve.