Frijoles Charros (Mexican Charro Beans Recipe)

Frijoles charros or Mexican cowboy beans are a whole different level above refried beans. It’s a hearty pinto bean stew that’s savory, smoky and a delight to serve as a main dish or as a side dish.

Mexican Charro Beans

When I think of these Mexican beans, I think of hot summer days with family when we would have cook outs with carne asada (back then I ate meat) and a large pot of frijoles charros with countless other foods and drinks.

These beans remind me of summer…but can really be enjoyed all year round. In the hot months I make them in my pressure cooker (like the Instant Pot) and on cold days I make them on the stove top.

The traditional Mexican stew is a complete or full meal, and you can serve it as such. Maybe add some warm tortillas on the side — either corn or flour tortillas is fine. Or you could also serve smaller portions as and appetizer or it also makes a perfect side dish.

🤠 What are Frijoles Charros

Frijoles charros, or cowboy beans, are a hearty Mexican bean stew that originated in the Northern states of Mexico. They were invented by the Mexican cowboys using whatever ingredients they had on hand.

The traditional method was to cook them in an earthenware pot and over the fire.

Often times they were served with some carne asada or with just tortillas being that it’s such a hearty soup…or is it technically a stew?

Frijoles charros are a very popular dish not only in Northern Mexico, but over the years became well known and loved all over Mexico. They are very popular at most Mexican restaurant and you’ll see them a lot at sit down taquerias offered as one of the side dishes. 

My family is from Jalisco and we all love them and make them often.

Other Similar Bean Stews

There are other similar Mexican bean stews you may have heard of, like frijoles rancheros or ranchero beans which means ranch or rancher beans. Then there’s also frijoles borrachos or borracho beans, which mean drunken beans. These have beer added to them.

I suppose any or all of these authentic Mexican recipes could have been where the inspiration for Americanized version of chili con carne came from.

🧅 Traditional Ingredients Used for Frijoles Charros

Being that whatever ingredients they had on hand were what was used, the recipes can vary a bit. But below is a list of the most common foods used in the original recipe.

• frijoles (either dry beans or cooked beans can be used)
• hot dogs
• bacon
• onion
• garlic
• spices
• water (or broth from the cooked beans)

As time passed and it spread around Mexico, other ingredients began being incorporated. Different meats like spicy chorizo, diced bacon, ham, chicharron or pork rinds are also added by some.

Some people will also add chile peppers or chili powder instead of fresh chili peppers. In my mom’s recipe she used chile guero, which are like banana peppers. I don’t have those available where I live so I add serrano peppers or jalapeños for a milder heat. I also like to add poblano peppers.

Canned chipotle peppers are another chili variation.

Herbs and spices may also be added. I like to add salt, black pepper, cumin and fresh cilantro. But occasionally I’ll also add bay leaves.

What Beans to Use

In the Northern states they prefer to use frijoles bayos or peruanos.

I’ve used both of them but I mostly grew up eating pinto beans so most often times I use Mexican pinto beans. In a pinch you could also even use black beans or kidney beans — both of which will not only give the dish a different color, but different flavors too.

I personally like to start with dry beans, but if you want you could also use cans of pinto beans. Just rinse them before using.

🌱 Are Frijoles Charros Vegan

Well, traditionally no…not in any way! In fact they are very much a meat heavy dish.

But don’t worry because with my easy recipe, we’ll transform these meaty recipe into a delicious vegan version with all the same amazing flavors as the meat version.

You’re going to have a large pot of this authentic Mexican bean recipe, that I promise even the carnivores will love!

Vegan Frijoles Charros Ingredients

So for the vegan recipe for my charro beans is pretty much the same traditional recipe. The only exception, of course, is that we’ll be using vegan meats instead of the animal-based ones.

For the hot dogs use vegan hot dogs, for the chorizo use your favorite soyrizo, swap the bacon for vegan bacon. If you want to add more cruelty-free meat then toss some chopped up vegan ham into the pot.

How to Make Vegan Frijoles Charros in The Pressure Cooker

This is a very easy way to make the pot of beans without having to warm up the kitchen or having to keep checking on the beans. Stove top instructions are below.

Make sure you have all of the ingredients ready to go because this recipe moves rather quickly.

• Select the Sauté function on the pressure cooker or Instant Pot and wait until it warms up. Then add the oil and the onion. Sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, then add the garlic and sauté a couple of minutes.
• Add the chorizo and hot dogs and sauté another few minutes. (If using bacon or ham, add it at this time too.)
• Now add the chilies, fresh roma tomatoes, stir until well combined then add the dry pinto beans and mix until well combined. Add the seasonings and seasoned broth and mix until well combined.
• Cancel the Sauté function and carefully place the lid on the pressure cooker. Set valve to Sealing then set to High Pressure and time to 50 Minutes.
• Once finished cooking do a natural release for 10 minutes then a forced release of any leftover steam – be very careful and stand away from the pot. The r
• Allow to cool slightly before serving topped with some roughly chopped cilantro. You can also serve topped with sour cream, or pico de gallo or some lime wedges and warm tortillas. Enjoy!

👩‍🍳How to Make Charro Bean on The Stove Top

This is the more traditional method used, I just live in a place that’s very pretty much all year long, so I use my pressure cooker. But on the stove is perfectly fine too.

To start grab a large heavy pot, I love to use my Dutch oven. Heat the oil over medium heat, then sauté the onion and garlic. Then add the “meats” and cook for a few minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and give the pot a good stir.

Cover the pot and turn the heat down to medium low. Allow to simmer until you have tender beans and the broth is thickened. You’ll need to keep some vegetable broth (or some cups of water) on hand so that you can add liquid as needed. Check on the beans now and then. To thicken the broth remove the pot’s lid and simmer to help evaporate the liquid.

Serve with any of the suggested foods.

🍽 How are Traditional Charro Beans Served

In my family when we had them at cookouts we were served bowls to go with our grilled meats. For the toppings we usually did it just plain since there was so many other foods on offer.

You can enjoy charro beans for any special occasion too — great for cookouts, potlucks, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, 15 de Septiembre or even if you like to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, these beans are a great crowd pleaser.

I personally love a big bowl of frijoles charros topped with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. Some warm tortillas — usually corn, but if I have homemade flour tortillas I’ll use those.

That’s eat, traditionally they are served as a main dish on their own. Or you can serve them as a side dish to tacos. Below are some great drinks you can serve with your frijoles charros.

• Chelada | Easy Mexican Beer Cocktail
• Easy Agua de Piña | Mexican Pineapple Agua Fresca
• Watermelon Agua Fresca
• Blackberry Mint Agua Fresca
• Agua de Jamaica | Ice Cold Hibiscus Tea
• White Cucumber Agua Fresca

How to Store Leftovers

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Alternatively you can freeze leftovers — beans actually freeze quite well. Freeze frijoles charros for up to a 3 months.

Vegan Frijoles Charros Recipe

Ok amigos, below you’ll find the recipe card that you can print out or save for later — make sure you click on the heart to save the recipe. Please read through the entire recipe before you begin and feel free to reach out with any questions.

Buen provecho and don’t forget to leave me a comment and rating if you make this recipe. Gracias!

Other Mexican Bean Main Dishes to Try

• How to Make Vegan Enfrijoladas
• Molletes
• Frijoles Negros Recipe
• Refried Black Beans
• Black Bean and Oaxaca Cheese Empanadas 
• Bean Stuffed Poblano Peppers with Ancho-Guajillo Chile Sauce
• Tinga Tostadas