Frijoles Charros
A hearty Tex-Mex bean soup loaded with bacon, chorizo, and a kick of jalapeño. It's smoky, savory, and the perfect side dish for any barbecue or a comforting meal on its own. A true taste of cowboy cooking.
For 6 servings
4 steps. 45 minutes total.
- 1
Place a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat
- a.Add the chopped bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp (6-8 minutes). Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered fat in the pot. Add the chorizo to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (5-7 minutes). Remove the chorizo with a slotted spoon and set it aside with the bacon, leaving the fat in the pot.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Add the chopped onion to the pot with the rendered fat and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and jalapeños and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
- 3
Return the cooked bacon and chorizo to the pot
- a.Stir in the drained pinto beans, undrained diced tomatoes, chicken broth, cumin, and oregano. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover partially and simmer gently for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 4
Stir in the chopped cilantro
- a.Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra cilantro if desired.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For a smokier flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or a canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce along with the cumin.
- 2Don't drain the fat from the bacon and chorizo! It's the flavor base for the entire dish.
- 3If you prefer to use dried beans, soak 1 pound of pinto beans overnight, then simmer in water until tender (about 1.5-2 hours) before starting this recipe.
- 4Frijoles Charros taste even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld.
- 5For extra richness, you can add 1/2 cup of a light Mexican beer (like Modelo) along with the chicken broth and let it simmer.
- 6Serve with warm corn tortillas or cornbread for dipping.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetarian
Omit bacon and chorizo. Sauté vegetables in 2 tbsp of oil with 1 tsp smoked paprika for a smoky flavor. Add a can of black beans or plant-based sausage for heartiness.
high proteinHigh protein
Add 2 cooked and sliced hot dogs (salchichas) or kielbasa sausage during the last 15 minutes of simmering.
gluten freeGluten free
Ensure your brand of Mexican chorizo is certified gluten-free, as some contain fillers. If adding beer, use a gluten-free variety.
kid friendlyKid friendly
Omit the jalapeños or replace them with a small, finely chopped green bell pepper for flavor without the heat.