Charro Beans
Charro Beans! You won't find a heartier, more delicious batch of beans anywhere in Mexico. This version uses bacon and chipotles but feel free to add in some chorizo if you have it. So good!
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 20 min
- Yield
- 6 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 2 cans pinto beans (drained and rinsed, approx. 4 cups)
- 1/2 lb. bacon (approx. 7-8 slices)
- 4-5 plum tomatoes
- 1/2 onion
- 3 chipotles in adobo
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 cups stock (or water)
- 1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
- freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- 1
Give the tomatoes a good rinse and roast them in the oven at 400F for approximately 20 minutes or until you need them.
- 2
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).
- 3
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.
- 4
Add 2 minced cloves of garlic and cook briefly, 30-60 seconds.
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
- 7
Serve immediately. Note that these beans are best served in some of the broth.
- 8
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.
- 9
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.