My Gringo Version of Charro Beans
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Mike 
I had some legit charro beans at a Mexican spot while visiting Heath Riles BBQ, and I couldn’t stop thinking about them. So naturally, I had to try my own version at home. This one’s loaded with smoky meats, bold seasoning, and slow-simmered flavor. Traditional? Maybe not. Delicious? Absolutely.
📋Quick Recipe Card
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Servings | Difficulty | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 minutes | 1 hour 30 minutes | 6-8 | Easy | Smoky, Savory, Hearty |
🛒Ingredients
Beans
- 1 lb dried pinto beans
- 6 cups water
- 1 tbsp Blazing Star Beef Rub and Seasoning
- 1 tbsp chicken bouillon
- ½ onion
- 1 jalapeño
Meat & Flavor Base
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- ½ lb diced ham
- 9 oz pork chorizo
- ½ onion, diced
- 1 jalapeño, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can fire-roasted tomatoes with chilies
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp Blazing Star All In One Seasoning
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
🔥Step-by-Step Instructions
-
Start the beans.
Add pinto beans, water, Beef Rub, and chicken bouillon to a large pot. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, add ½ onion and 1 jalapeño, cover, and cook for 1 hour. -
Cook the meats.
In a separate pot, cook chopped bacon until rendered. Add diced ham and cook until lightly browned. -
Add chorizo and aromatics.
Stir in chorizo and cook until fully rendered. Add diced onion and jalapeño and sauté for a few minutes. -
Build the sauce.
Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in fire-roasted tomatoes with chilies. -
Combine everything.
Remove the onion and jalapeño from the bean pot and add them to the meat mixture. Stir in tomato sauce, All In One Seasoning, and chopped cilantro. -
Final simmer.
Combine the meat mixture with the beans. Cover and simmer together for 20 minutes. -
Serve.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot as a side or main.
💡Pro Tips
- Soak beans overnight to cut cook time if you prefer.
- Stir occasionally to keep beans from sticking.
- Add a splash of broth if beans thicken too much.
- These taste even better the next day.
🛒Shop the Flavors
➡️Try Next
- My Go-To Black-Eyed Peas Recipe
- Picnic Pork Tacos with Fresh Guacamole
- Lamb Ribs Cooked on a Drum Smoker
