📍 Nuevo León

Frijoles charros (cowboy beans)

Name: Frijoles charros (cowboy beans)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 110 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 500 g bayo or pinto beans; 150 g bacon, chopped; 150 g chorizo; 2 hot dogs, sliced; 2 tomatoes, chopped; 1/2 onion and 2 serrano chiles, chopped; Cilantro and salt

· Lunch

Brothy beans with bacon, chorizo, hot dog, and chile — the classic side for northern grilled meats.

Editorial content by WorldBites · 2026-10-04 · Contact

⏱ 110 min🍽 6 servings📊 Easy🏷 Commonly associated

Preparation: 20 min
Cooking: 90 min
Waiting and resting: 0 min

History

Tied to the cowboy culture of the north, frijoles charros were cooked over an open fire to feed the ranch hands. In Nuevo León they accompany the weekend carne asada; the broth carries cured meats, tomato, onion, and chile, and is served in a little clay mug.

Ingredients

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Only numeric quantities at the start of an ingredient are adjusted. Descriptive quantities, seasoning to taste and timings remain unchanged; check them when changing servings.

Preparation

1
Cook the beans with onion and salt until tender.
2
Separately, fry the bacon and chorizo; add the sliced hot dog and brown.
3
Add tomato, onion, and chile and sauté into a base.
4
Pour this sauté into the pot of beans with their broth and boil for a few minutes.
5
Sprinkle with cilantro, adjust the salt, and serve hot.

Cooking tips

Dried-bean cooking time depends on their age; add hot water if the level drops before they soften.

Technique and preparation

What to check during preparation

Start with tender cooked beans and save their broth. Brown bacon first, then cook the chorizo completely before adding vegetables. Keep a gentle simmer once everything is combined so the beans retain their shape. Loosen a thick stew with small additions of reserved broth. Taste before salting because cured meats already contribute salt. Add cilantro near the end to preserve its aroma.