Frijoles Charros (Cowboy Beans)
Soft pot beans simmered with smoky bacon, sausage, tomato and jalapeno into a thick, spoonable northern Mexican stew.
Made with Salsa roja (cooked red salsa) and Frijoles de la olla (pot beans) and Homemade Mexican chorizo. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.31 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Put the bacon in a large, heavy pan over a medium heat and fry for 6 to 8 minutes, until the fat runs and the pieces are crisp.
7 min - 2
Add your ready made Mexican chorizo (see the base recipe) and cook for 6 minutes, breaking it up, until browned and cooked through.
6 min - 3
Add the onion, garlic and jalapeno and cook for 4 minutes until soft and smelling sweet.
4 min - 4
Stir in the tomatoes and your ready made salsa roja (see the base recipe) and cook for 3 minutes.
3 min - 5
Tip in your ready made pot beans (see the base recipe) with their broth. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 15 minutes, until the broth has thickened and the flavours have come together.
15 min - 6
Season with salt, stir in most of the coriander and serve in bowls with the rest scattered on top.
Tips
- Cook the chorizo until no pink remains. It is raw pork, so it needs thorough cooking.
- If the beans are too thick, add a splash of water. If too thin, mash a few beans against the side of the pan.
- For a vegetarian version, fry the vegetables in oil and use the vegan chorizo from the chorizo base notes, with a pinch of smoked paprika, instead of bacon and chorizo.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze in portions for up to 2 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What does charro mean?
Charro refers to a traditional Mexican horseman, and the dish is a rancher-style stew from northern Mexico, made with beans, pork and chillies.
Can I use tinned beans?
Yes. Use 3 drained, rinsed tins of pinto beans and 400 ml water, simmering 20 minutes so they absorb the flavours.
Is it very spicy?
Medium. The jalapeno and salsa roja add a gentle warmth. Deseed the jalapeno for milder beans, or add another for more heat.
More made with salsa roja (cooked red salsa)
Tortitas de Papa en Salsa Roja (Potato Patties in Red Salsa)
GFNFVHuevos al Albañil (Bricklayer's Eggs)
GFDFNFArroz a la Tumbada con Pollo y Camarones (Brothy Mexican Rice with Chicken and Prawns)
GFDFEFPapas con Rajas y Huevo (Potatoes with Pepper Strips and Eggs)
DFNFVDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.