Name: Delicious Charro Beans: A Cozy Tex-Mex Delight Recipe
Prep time: 6 h
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 7 h 10 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: 2 cups Dried Pinto Beans (Soak for optimal tenderness.); 4 cups Low-Sodium Chicken Broth (Use vegetable broth for vegetarian version.); 2 cups Water (Important for hydrating the beans.); 1 medium Onion (Shallots can be used for a milder taste.); 2 whole Jalapeño Peppers (Seed and devein for milder heat.); 4 cloves Garlic (Minced for essential aromatic depth.); 1 can Fire-Roasted Tomatoes (Can substitute with diced tomatoes.); 0.25 cup Cilantro (Optional but recommended for extra zing.); 6 slices Bacon (For vegetarian option, use turkey bacon or smoked tofu.); 2 tablespoons Chili Powder (Adjust based on heat preference.); 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin; 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground for best flavor.); 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano; 1 teaspoon Salt (Add at the end of cooking.)

Description

Delicious Charro Beans are a cozy, flavorful Tex-Mex classic made with tender pinto beans simmered in a savory broth with bacon, jalapeños, garlic, and fire-roasted tomatoes. Perfect for a comforting meal or a hearty side dish, this recipe offers a rich combination of smoky, spicy, and aromatic flavors that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

Beans and Broth

2 cups Dried Pinto Beans (Soak for optimal tenderness.)
4 cups Low-Sodium Chicken Broth (Use vegetable broth for vegetarian version.)
2 cups Water (Important for hydrating the beans.)

Vegetables and Aromatics

1 medium Onion (Shallots can be used for a milder taste.)
2 whole Jalapeño Peppers (Seed and devein for milder heat.)
4 cloves Garlic (Minced for essential aromatic depth.)
1 can Fire-Roasted Tomatoes (Can substitute with diced tomatoes.)
0.25 cup Cilantro (Optional but recommended for extra zing.)

Meat

6 slices Bacon (For vegetarian option, use turkey bacon or smoked tofu.)

Spices

2 tablespoons Chili Powder (Adjust based on heat preference.)
1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
1 teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground for best flavor.)
1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
1 teaspoon Salt (Add at the end of cooking.)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Soak the Beans: Soak the dried pinto beans for at least 6 hours or overnight. Rinse them thoroughly and set aside to prepare for cooking.
Cook Bacon: In a large pot over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pot.
Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onions and jalapeños to the pot with the bacon grease. Sauté for about 5 minutes until soft, then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to develop aroma.
Combine Ingredients: Return the crispy bacon to the pot. Add the soaked beans, low-sodium chicken broth, water, chili powder, ground cumin, black pepper, and dried oregano. Stir everything well and bring to a boil.
Simmer the Beans: Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for about 45 minutes, checking occasionally to stir and ensure even cooking of the beans.
Add Tomatoes and Final Simmer: After 45 minutes, uncover the pot. Stir in the fire-roasted tomatoes and adjust seasoning with salt, if needed. Continue to simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes to meld the flavors.
Serve: Ladle the Charro Beans into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro for an extra burst of flavor. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

Soaking the beans overnight greatly reduces cooking time and improves digestibility.
For a vegetarian version, substitute bacon with smoked tofu or turkey bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Removing seeds from jalapeños reduces heat if you prefer a milder dish.
Adjust chili powder to control spiciness according to your taste.
Adding salt at the end of cooking prevents beans from becoming tough.

Prep Time: 6 hours (including soaking time)
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Tex-Mex