Charro Beans (Frijoles Charros)

Charro Beans (Frijoles Charros) are hearty Mexican pinto beans cooked with bacon, chorizo, hot dogs, jalapeño, tomatoes, and a savory bean broth. This easy one-pot recipe is full of flavor and perfect with warm tortillas or grilled meats.

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A blue bowl of Frijoles Charros bean soup with sausage slices, topped with fresh jalapeño slices, sits on a matching plate. Cilantro and extra jalapeño slices are nearby on a wooden table. A spoon is in the background.

Charro Beans (Frijoles Charros) 🤠 are hearty Mexican beans cooked with bacon, chorizo, hot dogs, jalapeño, tomatoes, and a flavorful bean broth.

This is one of those recipes that is simple, filling, and meant to be shared. The beans simmer with smoky, savory ingredients until the broth is rich and flavorful.

My dad’s family has a ranch in Durango in Northern Mexico, and this is the recipe he and I put together. He was very clear about one thing: you need the hot dogs. 😂 In our family, that’s what makes these Frijoles Charros.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️

Full of flavor: Bacon, chorizo, jalapeño, tomato, and bean broth make these beans incredibly savory.
Easy to make: Once your beans are cooked, everything comes together in one pot.
Great for a crowd: Make a big pot for carne asadas, family gatherings, or weekend meals.
A family recipe: My dad and I put this recipe together, inspired by his family’s ranch in Durango.

-Maggie

A hand holding a pile of uncooked pinto beans, with more beans in the background.

🫘 Beans, the Magical Fruit

You will need cooked pinto beans and their broth for this recipe. I usually use Frijoles de la Olla.
This is a great recipe for using leftover Mexican pinto beans, so don’t throw away that cooking liquid. The bean broth adds a lot of flavor.
You can also make a fresh batch of Instant Pot Pinto Beans if you don’t already have cooked beans.
Yes, you can use canned pinto beans. Just drain them and use beef broth or water with bouillon instead of bean broth. But don’t tell my mother I said that. 😂
You can also use black beans if that’s what you have on hand.
Don’t confuse this with Frijoles Puercos which is an appetizer/ side dish made with refried beans and spices.

Frijoles Charros are also called frijoles a la charra, Charro Beans, or Mexican cowboy beans. The word charro refers to a traditional Mexican horseman, and this hearty bean dish is often associated with ranch cooking.

🤠 Charro vs. Vaquero

The words charro and vaquero are sometimes used together when talking about Mexican cowboy culture, but they have different meanings.

A vaquero is a working cowboy who tends cattle and works on a ranch.
A charro is a skilled horseman who practices traditional Mexican horsemanship, including roping and other riding skills.
A vaquero typically wears practical work clothes, while a charro is known for wearing a more elaborate outfit with embroidery, fitted pants, a jacket, and a traditional sombrero.

So while both are associated with horses and ranch life, a vaquero is a working cowboy, while a charro represents the tradition and sport of Mexican horsemanship.

Six-step cooking process: browning bacon, cooking ground meat, adding onions and peppers, then tomatoes, then garlic, and finally mixing all ingredients together in a pot on a stovetop.

👩🏼‍🍳 Instructions

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy.
Remove the cooked bacon and discard any bacon grease. Reserve the bacon.
In the same pot, add the ground spicy chorizo and cook.
Discard any chorizo grease and return the bacon to the pot. Add the onion and jalapeño chiles. Cook for 2 minutes.
Add the diced roma tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes at medium-high heat, or until the tomatoes have released the juices.
Stir with a large spoon to combine.

Stir occasionally so nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot. The beans should be chunky and hearty, not overly soupy.

A close-up of cooked pinto beans in a large black pot, with some liquid visible at the bottom.

🌶️ Adjusting the Spice Level

If you don’t want it to be spicy, omit the jalapeno chili peppers.
If you like it spicier, add 2 diced jalapenos or add some chipotle pepper for a smoky taste.
Some people will add diced roasted poblano peppers for a milder heat.

This is a hearty Mexican dish, similar in spirit to other comforting recipes like Carne en Su Jugo, Birria de Res, Caldillo Durangueño.

A pot of cooked pinto beans mixed with ground meat and vegetables, simmering in broth, with a black spoon resting in the pot.

Add the garlic, salt, cooked beans, and 2 cups of bean broth.
Stir to combine. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

NOTE: Instead of the bean broth, you can use 2 cups water + ½ cube beef bouillon. Or, you can use 2 cups beef broth. If you want it more soup-y, add 2 cups of beef broth in addition to the bean broth.

A hand holds a blue and white bowl filled with sliced hot dogs, with a pot of food cooking on a stovetop in the background.

Add the sliced hot dogs.
Stir to combine. Cook for 5 minutes.
Top with some chopped cilantro.
Serve with warm tortillas and enjoy!

Hot dogs, or “wienies” as we call them in my family, are a must according to my dad. 😂 Beef franks, like the ones I use in Huevos con Salchicha, are my favorite, but you can use whatever kind of hot dog you have on hand.

➕ Optional Additions

Crushed chicharron (or pork rinds crackling) makes a great addition. I love to garnish mine with sliced jalapeños.
Some people also add ham to their Charro Beans.

🙋🏻‍♀️ Frequently Asked Questions

What are Frijoles Charros?

Frijoles Charros are Mexican pinto beans cooked with ingredients such as bacon, chorizo, hot dogs, jalapeño, tomatoes, and spices. They are also known as Charro Beans or frijoles a la charra.

Why are they called Charro Beans?

The name comes from the charro, a traditional Mexican horseman. Charro beans are associated with hearty meals made with beans and meat and are especially popular as a side dish for grilled meats and carne asadas.

Can I use canned pinto beans?

Yes. Canned pinto beans will work if you don’t have cooked beans on hand. Drain and rinse the beans, then use beef broth or water with bouillon in place of the bean broth.

Can I make Charro Beans ahead of time?

Absolutely. In fact, the flavors get even better as the beans sit. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.

Can I freeze Frijoles Charros?

Yes. Let the beans cool completely, then store them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove.

A blue patterned bowl filled with hearty Charro Beans, pinto beans simmered in broth with sausage slices, and topped with fresh jalapeño slices. Cilantro and a spoon are nearby on a wooden surface.

🍴 Serve With

Pickled Mexican Carrots
Pickled Jalapenos
Totopos (Tortilla Chips)
Arroz Mexicano
Slices of Serrano Peppers
Corn Tortillas

Frijoles Charros are the kind of beans I like to have on the table when we’re making a big Mexican meal. They’re hearty enough to stand on their own, but they are especially good with Carne Asada Street Tacos, grilled meats, and warm tortillas.

And because this is a recipe I wrote with my dad, it has an extra-special place in my kitchen. His family has a ranch in Durango, and these are the kind of beans that remind me of home and family. Buen provecho!

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