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December 10, 2024
If you’re a fan of Mexican cuisine or looking to try something new, charro beans are a must-try dish. These flavorful, hearty beans are a staple in Mexican cooking and are typically served as a side dish or used as a filling for burritos and tacos. Charro beans are made with pinto beans cooked in a flavorful broth, seasoned with bacon, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and various herbs and spices.
To cook charro beans, start by soaking the pinto beans overnight to soften them and reduce the cooking time. Then, in a large pot, cook the bacon until crispy, and set it aside. In the same pot, sauté onions, garlic, and tomatoes until they are soft and fragrant. Add the soaked beans, along with the broth, herbs, and spices, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded together.
Charro beans are incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit your taste. You can add additional ingredients like jalapeños for some heat or use different types of beans like black beans or kidney beans. Once the beans are cooked, you can serve them as a side dish alongside grilled meats, or incorporate them into your favorite Mexican dishes. They also make a delicious filling for burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. So, whether you’re hosting a Mexican-themed party or simply craving a flavorful side dish, give charro beans a try. Your taste buds will thank you!
Ingredients for cooking charro beans
To prepare delicious charro beans, you will need the following ingredients:
1. Beans:
1 pound of pinto beans
2. Meat:
- 4 ounces of bacon, chopped
- 1/2 pound of Mexican chorizo, casings removed
- 1/2 pound of pork shoulder, diced
3. Vegetables:
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
- 1 tomato, diced
4. Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 teaspoon of chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
5. Broth:
4 cups of chicken or vegetable broth
Make sure to gather all these ingredients before starting the cooking process. They will create a flavorful and authentic dish of charro beans.
What you need for cooking charro beans
To cook delicious charro beans, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups of pinto beans: These will be the main ingredient of the charro beans.
- 6 cups of water: You will need water to cook the beans.
- 1 onion: This will be used to add flavor to the charro beans.
- 2 cloves of garlic: Garlic will enhance the taste of the dish.
- 1 jalapeño pepper: This will add a spicy kick to the charro beans.
- 4 slices of bacon: Bacon will give the beans a rich and smoky flavor.
- 1 tomato: Tomato will add a tangy taste to the dish.
- 1 teaspoon of cumin: Cumin will provide a warm and earthy flavor to the beans.
- Salt and pepper: These will be used to season the beans to taste.
- Chopped cilantro: Cilantro will be used as a garnish.
Note: The quantities mentioned above are for reference. You can adjust them according to your taste and preferences.
Preparing the beans for cooking
Before cooking the charro beans, it’s important to properly prepare the beans to ensure they cook evenly and become tender. Follow these steps to prepare the beans:
1. Sort and rinse the beans
- Spread the dried beans out on a clean surface and pick through them to remove any small stones, debris, or damaged beans.
- Rinse the beans under cold water to remove any dust or debris.
2. Soak the beans
Soaking the beans helps to rehydrate them, soften their texture, and reduce the cooking time. There are two methods for soaking beans:
- Overnight soak:
- In a large bowl, cover the sorted and rinsed beans with water. Ensure the water covers the beans by at least a few inches.
- Allow the beans to soak overnight, or for at least 8 hours.
- Quick soak:
- In a large pot, cover the sorted and rinsed beans with water. Ensure the water covers the beans by at least a few inches.
- Bring the water to a boil, then remove the pot from heat.
- Cover the pot and let the beans soak for 1-2 hours.
3. Drain and rinse the soaked beans
- After soaking, drain the beans and rinse them under cold water.
- Discard the soaking water as it may contain indigestible sugars and starches.
Now that the charro beans are prepared and ready for cooking, you can move on to the next steps in the recipe.
How to prepare the beans for charro beans
Before you begin cooking charro beans, you need to prepare the beans by following these steps:
-
Sort and rinse the beans
Start by sorting through the beans, picking out any rocks, dirt, or damaged beans. Rinse the beans thoroughly with cold water to remove any debris.
-
Soak the beans
Place the rinsed beans in a large pot and cover them with water. Let the beans soak overnight or for at least 8 hours. This helps soften the beans and reduce cooking time.
-
Drain and rinse the soaked beans
After soaking, drain the beans and rinse them with fresh water to remove any remaining impurities.
-
Prepare the flavorings
While the beans are soaking, you can prepare the flavorings for charro beans. This typically includes diced onion, minced garlic, chopped tomatoes, chopped jalapeños, and spices like cumin and oregano.
Once you have completed these steps, you are ready to start cooking the charro beans and incorporating the prepared beans into the recipe.
Cooking charro beans
To cook delicious charro beans, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups of pinto beans
- 6 cups of water
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
- 1/2 cup of bacon, diced
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro, chopped
Now, let’s get started with the cooking process:
- First, rinse the pinto beans under cold water and remove any debris or stones.
- In a large pot, combine the beans and water. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 1 hour.
- In a separate pan, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan, but leave the bacon grease.
- Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, and jalapeño to the pan with the bacon grease. Sauté them until they become soft and fragrant.
- Once the beans are cooked, drain them and add them to the pan with the sautéed ingredients.
- Stir in the cooked bacon, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Cover the pot and let the beans simmer for another 30 minutes to an hour, until they are tender and the flavors have melded together.
- Before serving, garnish the charro beans with fresh cilantro.
Now, your delicious charro beans are ready to be enjoyed as a side dish or a main course. Serve them with warm tortillas and enjoy!
Instructions for cooking charro beans
To cook delicious charro beans, follow these simple steps:
| Step 1: | Place the pinto beans in a large pot and cover them with water. Let them soak overnight. |
| Step 2: | Drain the soaked beans and return them to the pot. Add enough water to cover the beans. |
| Step 3: | Add the chopped bacon, diced onion, minced garlic, and jalapeno slices to the pot with the beans. |
| Step 4: | Season the beans with salt, black pepper, cumin, and chili powder. Stir well to combine. |
| Step 5: | Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 2 hours, or until the beans are tender. |
| Step 6: | Once the beans are tender, remove the pot from the heat. Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to mash some of the beans against the side of the pot. This will help thicken the broth. |
| Step 7: | Return the pot to low heat and simmer uncovered for an additional 30 minutes, or until the broth has thickened to your desired consistency. |
| Step 8: | Taste the beans and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or spices according to your taste. |
| Step 9: | Serve the charro beans hot as a side dish or as a main course. Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, if desired. |
Serving charro beans
Charro beans are a popular Mexican dish that can be served as a main course or as a side dish. Here are some suggestions for serving charro beans:
1. Serve as a side dish: Charro beans can be served alongside grilled meats, such as steak or chicken. They can also be served with rice, tortillas, and salsa for a complete meal.
2. Garnish with toppings: To add extra flavor and texture, garnish the charro beans with toppings such as chopped cilantro, diced onions, crumbled queso fresco, or sour cream.
3. Pair with Mexican dishes: Charro beans complement a variety of Mexican dishes. Serve them with enchiladas, tacos, or tamales for a delicious and filling meal.
4. Make it vegetarian-friendly: If you have vegetarian guests, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth in the charro beans recipe. You can also add extra vegetables, such as bell peppers or corn, to make it even more nutritious.
5. Serve with a squeeze of lime: Before enjoying the charro beans, squeeze fresh lime juice over them for a tangy and refreshing taste.
Whether you serve charro beans as a side dish or as a main course, they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy!
Q&A
What are charro beans?
Charro beans, also known as cowboy beans, are a traditional Mexican dish made with pinto beans cooked in a flavorful broth with bacon, onions, garlic, and various spices.
What ingredients do I need to cook charro beans?
To cook charro beans, you will need pinto beans, bacon, onions, garlic, jalapenos, tomatoes, cilantro, cumin, oregano, salt, and water.
How long do I need to soak the pinto beans before cooking?
It is recommended to soak the pinto beans in water overnight before cooking. This helps to soften the beans and reduce cooking time.
Can I substitute the pinto beans with another type of beans?
While pinto beans are traditionally used in charro beans, you can substitute them with other types of beans such as black beans or kidney beans if desired.
What can I serve with charro beans?
Charro beans are often served as a side dish with Mexican meals. They pair well with grilled meats, tacos, enchiladas, or as a filling for burritos.
