Easy Charro Beans Recipe for a Hearty Meal
These charro beans recipe are savory, comforting, and brimming with the flavors of onions, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. They’re perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or quick weeknight meals.
Equipment
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven (or Instant Pot/Slow Cooker)
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoon or spatula for stirring
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pinto beans soaked or 4 cans pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 2 large tomatoes diced (or 1 can diced tomatoes)
- 4 cups vegetable stock or chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ cup chopped cilantro + extra for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
(Optional) Cooked turkey sausage or chicken sausage slices
(Optional) Jalapeños or serranos, for heat
Instructions
- Prepare Beans
- o For dried beans, soak overnight or use the quick-soak method. Drain and rinse.
- o If using canned, simply drain and rinse before cooking.
- Sauté
- o Heat oil in a large pot and sauté onion and bell pepper until soft (about 5–7 minutes). Add garlic and cook for another minute.
- Combine Ingredients
- o Stir in tomatoes, cumin, and chili powder. Pour in stock. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add Beans
- o Gently stir in the beans. Bring the pot to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover.
- Simmer
- o Cook until the beans are tender, about 1½ to 2 hours if using dried beans. Check and stir occasionally, adding more liquid if needed.
- Finish and Serve
- o Turn off the heat and stir in chopped cilantro. If desired, add cooked turkey or chicken sausage. Adjust seasonings, and enjoy.
Notes
For a vegetarian or vegan version, use vegetable stock and omit any meat. For added smokiness, try a pinch of chipotle powder or smoked paprika.