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A photo of frijoles charros in a ceramic bowl with tortillas and rice in the background.

Frijoles Charros - Mexican Beans with Chorizo

Discover the rich and hearty flavors of frijoles charros, a traditional Mexican dish packed with savory and smoky notes.
5 from 4 votes
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: pinto bean recipe, sausage and beans, spicy beans
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 292kcal
Author: Analida Braeger

Ingredients

  • 6 oz Mexican chorizo fresh, uncooked
  • 2 slices Bacon smoked, diced
  • 1 Onion medium, diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic crushed
  • 1 tsp Oregano
  • ½ tsp Cumin ground
  • 1 Ancho chile toasted, stemmed, seeded, minced
  • 2 Bay leaves whole
  • 1 tsp Chipotle chile in adobo pureed
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • 3 ½ Cups Pinto beans cooked
  • 1 tsp Apple cider vinegar
  • 1 ½ Cups Chicken stock

Instructions

  • Spit the ancho chile in half, remove the stem and seeds. Toast in a pan on medium heat until just crispy. Allow to cool and mince.
  • Cook the chorizo and bacon on medium heat until fat is rendered.
  • Pour off half of the fat.
  • Continue cooking and add the onion and garlic.
  • Cook until the onion is translucent then add the oregano, cumin, ancho chile, bay leaves and chipotle.
  • Add salt, beans, vinegar and stock. Simmer on low for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Notes

Tips for success:
    • Taste and Adjust: Taste the frijoles charros as they cook and adjust the seasoning as needed with salt, pepper, or additional spices. Remember, seasoning is subjective, so adjust to suit your taste.
    • Add Fresh Ingredients at the End: If using fresh ingredients like cilantro or lime juice, add them towards the end of cooking to preserve their brightness and flavor.
    • Let Rest Before Serving: Allow the frijoles charros to rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld further and the beans to absorb any remaining liquid.
    • Simmer Slowly. Allow the beans to simmer gently until they are tender and the flavors have melded together. Avoid boiling vigorously, as this can cause the beans to break apart.

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 533mg | Potassium: 552mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 172IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 3mg