Frijoles Charros (Cowboy Beans) with Pickled Jalapeños
A smoky pot of pinto beans simmered with bacon, chorizo, tomato and chilli, finished with tangy pickled jalapeños.
Made with Escabeche (pickled jalapenos and carrots) and Frijoles de la olla (pot beans). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.11 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
Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Fry the bacon lardons and diced chorizo for 6 minutes, until the fat runs and they start to brown.
6 min - 2
Add the onion and garlic and cook for 4 minutes until soft. Add the tomatoes, fresh jalapeño and oregano and cook for 5 minutes, until the tomatoes collapse.
9 min - 3
Tip in your ready made pot beans with their broth (see the base recipe). Bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 15 minutes, until the broth has thickened slightly.
15 min - 4
Mash a few beans against the side of the pan to thicken the broth. Taste and add salt only if needed, as the bacon is salty.
- 5
Stir in most of the coriander and take off the heat.
- 6
Serve in bowls topped with a spoonful of your ready made escabeche (see the base recipe), the rest of the coriander and a lime wedge.
Tips
- Mash a ladleful of beans against the pot to thicken the broth rather than adding flour.
- Taste before salting. Bacon and chorizo bring plenty already.
- Serve with warm corn tortillas or rice for a fuller meal.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Why are they called charro beans?
Frijoles charros means cowboy or horseman's beans. They are a northern Mexican dish of pinto beans cooked with pork, tomato and chilli, often served at barbecues.
Can I make this without pork?
Yes. Use smoked paprika, a little extra oil and vegetarian sausage instead, or just leave the meat out. The pot beans already have plenty of flavour.
More made with escabeche (pickled jalapenos and carrots)
Sincronizadas con Jamón y Queso (Ham and Cheese Quesadillas)
EFNFTostadas de Atún con Escabeche (Tuna Tostadas)
GFDFEFTortas de Pollo Asado (Mexican Chicken Sandwiches)
EFNFTortas de Frijol y Aguacate (Bean and Avocado Rolls)
DFEFNFSee every dish made with escabeche (pickled jalapenos and carrots)
Double 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.