SLOW COOKER CHARRO BEANS RECIPE

OMG, I am obsessed with this slow cooker charro beans recipe! They are ridiculously easy to make, and the flavor is incredible. Packed with smoky, savory goodness, these charro beans are the perfect addition to any meal. Seriously, these are hands down my favorite beans to whip up, and they never disappoint. The smoky goodness of applewood bacon combined with tender pinto beans and fresh, savory ingredients creates a dish that’s so incredibly delicious. Plus, your slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with irresistibly flavorful beans that complement any meal! Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be hooked!

Why You Will Love This Charro Beans Recipe

• This recipe is effortless to make in the slow cooker! It does all of the work to cook the beans.
• The combination of applewood smoked bacon, fresh tomatoes, jalapeño, and beef broth makes these charro beans incredible.
• It’s customizable to suit your preferences. If preferred, you can make this recipe lighter by using turkey bacon.
• These charro beans are easy to prepare, the slow cooker does the rest of the work.
• Applewood smoked bacon, garlic, and cumin give these beans the ultimate depth of flavor.
• This recipe is great for meal prep! Enjoy these charro beans throughout the week or freeze leftovers for later.

What Are Charro Beans?

Charro beans (or “frijoles charros”) are a traditional Mexican dish made by simmering pinto beans in a flavorful broth with tomatoes, bacon, jalapeño, and spices. The beans are named after Mexican horsemen, ‘charros’. This recipe is effortless to make in the Crockpot. It allows the beans to cook slowly, allowing the rich, smoky flavors to deepen and fully develop.

Ingredients Needed

• Pinto Beans: Use one pound of dried pinto beans for this recipe. Make sure to rinse the dried pinto beans, removing any debris or small stones, before cooking them.
• Tomatoes: Seed and chop the Roma tomatoes. You will need about 3 medium tomatoes.
• Beef Broth: Helps cook the pinto beans and infuses them with incredible flavor. We really like the flavor the beef broth adds to the beans. You can substitute beef broth for chicken broth if preferred. 
• Water: Adding water to the slow cooker is important for cooking the dried pinto beans.
• Bay Leaves: Add two bay leaves to the slow cooker to infuse the beans with flavor as they cook.
• Jalapeño: Finely dice the jalapeño. It adds spice to the charro beans. If you prefer less spice, remove the seeds from the jalapeño.
• Onion: Dice a white or sweet onion.
• Bacon: Cook 3-4 slices of applewood smoked bacon. The bacon adds a rich and smoky flavor that is not to be missed!
• Garlic: Crush fresh garlic cloves for flavor.
• Cumin: Adds incredible flavor to the charro beans.
• Oregano: For added depth of flavor.
• Cilantro: Top with fresh chopped cilantro for a bright and fresh finish.
• Salt and Pepper: Season with salt and pepper to taste at the end once the beans are cooked.

How To Make Charro Beans In The Slow Cooker

Step 1: Place the bacon slices on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake them at 400°F for 15-20 minutes.

Then, let the cooked bacon rest on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Once the bacon is cooled, chop it into smaller pieces.

Step 2: Chop and seed the tomatoes and finely dice the jalapeño, removing the seeds for less heat.

Step 3: Rinse the dried pinto beans under cool water, removing any debris or small stones before cooking.

Then, add them to the slow cooker.

Step 4: Add the chopped tomatoes, beef broth, water, bay leaves, jalapeño, onion, garlic, cumin, and oregano to the slow cooker.

Step 5: Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook everything on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beans are tender.

Step 6: Once the beans are cooked, stir in the salt and pepper to taste. Top with freshly chopped cilantro, serve, and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

There are so many ways you can serve these charro beans! Here are some dishes that pair well with them.

• Rice: Pair the beans with a side of Mexican rice or try our cilantro lime cauliflower rice.
• Tacos: Serve these charro beans as a side dish for tacos. We like to serve them with our sheet pan tacos, air fryer shrimp tacos, or breakfast tacos.
• Grilled Meat: These beans complement grilled chicken, steak, or carne asada.
• Tortillas: Enjoy them warm with flour or corn tortillas to scoop up the delicious broth.
• Bowls: These charro beans are the perfect addition to any taco bowl! They add an incredible depth of flavor! Pair these beans with cooked rice, creamy guacamole, and cooked shredded chicken or your protein of choice for a well-rounded meal.

Topping Ideas

These charro beans are delicious as is or with additional toppings. Some delicious topping ideas are crumbled cotija or feta cheese, Pico de Gallo, sliced avocado, Greek yogurt, sour cream, or sliced green onions.

Expert Tips

• Chop The Bacon: I prefer to finely chop the bacon so every bite gets a hint of that smoky flavor. But if you love bigger chunks of bacon, go for it!
• Check The Liquid Level: Ensure there is at least 2 inches of liquid above the beans while they cook. If they start to dry out, add boiling water to keep them submerged and ensure they cook evenly.
• Sauté For Extra Depth: For even more flavor, sauté the onions and garlic before adding them to the slow cooker. This step adds an extra layer of richness.
• Season The Beans At The End: It is important to season the beans with salt and pepper at the end. Seasoning them too early can result in tough beans. Also, this allows you to fine-tune the flavors without over-salting early on. Taste and adjust so the beans have a balanced flavor.

Storage Instructions

Storing: Allow the charro beans to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They will last 4-5 days in the refrigerator.

Freezing: These charro beans also freeze well. Store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Reheating: You can reheat leftovers in a saucepan on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Variations

• Bacon Alternatives: If you want to lighten things up, you can use turkey bacon or reduce the amount of applewood smoked bacon. See our post on how to cook turkey bacon in the oven. You’ll still get that delicious smoky flavor but with fewer calories.
• Tomato Variations: No fresh Roma tomatoes? No problem! Substitute them with a small can of diced tomatoes like fire-roasted tomatoes or Rotel.
• Broth Options: We love the depth of flavor that low-sodium beef broth brings, but if you don’t have it on hand, low-sodium chicken broth also works.
• Onion Swap: I love using sweet onion for its mild flavor, but you can easily swap it with white onion or brown onion if that’s what you have.
• Spice Level: For spicier charro beans, keep the seeds in the jalapeño. The seeds contain much of the heat, so leaving them in will give your beans an extra kick. For a milder spice level, remove the seeds from the jalapeño.
• Low-Sodium Option: Use low-sodium broth, reduce or omit the added salt, and use unsalted bacon or turkey bacon.
• Soak The Beans: You can make this recipe without soaking the dried beans beforehand. However, if you prefer to soak the beans, you will need to reduce the cooking time. To soak the dried beans, place them in a large bowl and cover them with water. Then, let them soak for 8-12 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse the beans before adding them to the slow cooker. Also, reduce the cooking time in the slow cooker to 4-6 hours and keep an eye on the water level to ensure the beans stay covered as they cook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Canned Beans Instead Of Dried Beans?

Yes, for a quicker option, you can use three to four 15-ounce cans of pinto beans instead of the dried beans. However, you won’t need as much liquid and the beans will only need to cook on low for about 2 hours. Rinse and drain the canned beans before adding them to your slow cooker. Also, omit the water from this recipe and only use 3 cups of broth. This will provide enough liquid for the ingredients to cook without the mixture being too soupy. If needed, you can always add a bit more broth or water to reach your desired consistency.

Can I Make Charro Beans Vegetarian?

Yes, you can make these charro beans vegetarian. Omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of beef or chicken broth. To replace the smoky bacon flavor, add about 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika.

What Should I Serve With Charro Beans?

Charro beans are incredibly versatile! Enjoy them on their own or serve them with tacos or rice. They also pair well with grilled meats such as chicken or your favorite Mexican dishes.

Can Charro Beans Be Frozen?

Yes, you can freeze charro beans. Let them cool before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. Freeze these charro beans for up to 3 months. When ready to serve them again, thaw them in the fridge or reheat them on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Are Charro Beans Gluten-Free?

Yes, charro beans are gluten-free as long as you ensure all your ingredients, especially the broth and bacon are certified gluten-free.

More Recipes To Try Next!

• Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga
• Ground Turkey Enchilada Skillet
• Mexican Street Corn Dip
• Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken
• Easy And Healthy Cowboy Caviar
• Spicy Black Bean Soup
• Avocado Crema

If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.