Don Pablo's Frijoles a La Charra

Dive into the bold, smoky flavors of Don Pablo's Frijoles a La Charra, a hearty and traditional Mexican charro bean dish that's perfect for any occasion. Made with tender, slow-simmered pinto beans, savory crumbled bacon, and a medley of fresh ingredients like roma tomatoes, jalapeños, and cilantro, this recipe brings vibrant, rustic flavors to your table. Infused with cumin and cooked in a rich broth, these beans are the perfect side dish or standalone meal. Whether served with warm tortillas for dipping or enjoyed as is, this crowd-pleasing recipe delivers comfort in every bite. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, Don Pablo’s Frijoles a La Charra is a delicious way to elevate your homemade Mexican cuisine game!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:200 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 cups Dried pinto beans
• 8 cups Water
• 6 slices Bacon
• 1 large Onion, diced
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 3 medium Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 large Jalapeño, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
• 4 cups Chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Butter (optional)
• 8 pieces Tortillas (optional for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and sort the pinto beans to remove any debris. Place them in a large bowl and cover them with water. Soak the beans overnight, or for at least 8 hours.

Step 2

Drain the soaked beans and set them aside.

Step 3

In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the cooked bacon and crumble it into small pieces. Set aside.

Step 4

Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot. If there is excess grease, carefully discard it. If there's too little, you can add a tablespoon of butter for additional flavor.

Step 5

Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 6

Stir in the minced garlic, diced tomatoes, and chopped jalapeño. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and aromatic.

Step 7

Add the drained beans, chicken or vegetable broth, 8 cups of water, crumbled bacon, salt, cumin, and black pepper to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the beans simmer uncovered for about 2-3 hours, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally and add more water if needed to maintain a soup-like consistency.

Step 9

Once the beans are fully cooked, taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if desired. Stir in the fresh chopped cilantro just before serving for a burst of flavor.

Step 10

Serve the Frijoles a La Charra hot in bowls with warm tortillas on the side, if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4353.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2217.7

Total Fat 71.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 29.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.8g
Cholesterol 109.5mg	0%
Sodium 11516.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 314.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 59.8g	0%
Total Sugars 28.1g
Protein 87.2g	0%

Vitamin D 21.7IU	0%
Calcium 817.7mg	0%
Iron 22.4mg	0%
Potassium 3741.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 28.5%

Protein: 15.5%

Carbs: 56.0%