If you have ever been to a Mexican restaurant, then you have probably seen charro beans on the menu for a side. They are a popular Tex-Mex side dish and one of my favorite side dishes that I like to enjoy. Charro beans are made with pinto beans that get strewed with smoky bacon, onion, garlic, spices, and more to make them extra flavorful and delicious. I started making my own charro beans a few years back and they are so delicious that you could honestly make a meal out of them on their own, you just need a side of tortillas and some avocado. I would 100% be a happy girl to eat these for dinner any night of the week. My charro beans are easy to make, are packed with flavor, and will make the best side dish for any Tex-Mex or Mexican meal that you make at home.

Beans are one of those ingredients that most of us don’t cook with enough. They are full of fiber, protein, iron and so many other vitamins, not to mention they are affordable and can feed many! I love that you can flavor them so many different ways and they can take on so many different cuisines’ flavor profiles. I like to keep a variety of beans on hand in the pantry and pinto beans happen to be some of my favorite, which is the type of bean traditionally used to make charro beans.

I make mine most of the time with dried beans if I have time, but I have also used canned pinto beans in a pinch and both turn out delicious, so use what you have on hand. You can also adjust the heat based upon your preference but I love mine with a little bit of spice to them. I cook down some smokey bacon with onions, garlic,  jalapeño, and spices and then after the beans are added I top off with water and then the beans simmer for a couple of hours until tender and they have absorbed all of those delicious flavors. They are just so so good. Traditionally this dish is not only served as a side but also can be served more like a soup, which is why I said they would also make a great main course.

If you have never thought about making your own charro beans or just want to switch up your regular refried beans or black beans, I cannot recommend my recipe for charro beans enough. I think you will really love them!

You might like to pair these charro beans with some of these recipes:

• The Best Chicken Tacos

• Sheet Pan Beef Fajitas

• Chipotle Chicken Skillet Enchiladas

• Fish Tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 Lb. Dried Pinto Beans, soaked overnight (could also sub canned beans, drained and rinsed, if needed)

• 5 Slices Bacon

• 1 Onion, Finely Diced

• 3 Finely Minced Garlic Cloves

• 1 Jalapeño finely diced, seeds removed if desired for less heat

• 1 Cup Chopped Tomato

• 1/2 Cup Chopped Cilantro + more for topping

• 1/2 Tsp. Oregano

• 1 Tsp. Paprika

• 1 Tsp. Cumin

• 1 Tsp. Kosher Salt

• 1/2 Tsp. Black Pepper

• Enough Water to Cover the Beans, about 5 Cups (can also use stock)

• Fresh Lime Wedges for finishing

Directions:

• Chop bacon and sauté until browned. Remove from the pan.

• Add onion, garlic, and jalapeño to the pan with the leftover bacon grease and sauté for 1-2 minutes.

• Add in tomatoes and cilantro at this time and continue cooking for 1-2 minutes.

• Add in oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper and cook another 2 minutes to let the spices cook.

• Add in soaked beans and then cover with water or stock until beans are completely covered.

• Stir and bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 hours until beans are tender.

• Taste test for salt and pepper and add more at this time if needed.

• Serve with extra Jalapeño slices, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

Don’t they look so so good? So full of flavor y’all and I promise that you are going to want to make this recipe over and over again!