Frijoles Charros / Rancheros {Cowboy Beans} #SundaySupper



This week's #SundaySupper theme is one I hold near and dear to my heart, because today we're celebrating Mexican Independence Day!

Most years, I like to go all out for el Día de la Independencia, with a big feast of traditional Mexican dishes like Tamales, Pozole, or Mole de Espinazo.  But this year, I was in the mood for something simpler.  Something homey and comforting.  Maybe something soupy like Pappy (my abuelito) used to make.  But I also wanted something that would use the gorgeous little red beans I found at my favorite produce store earlier in the week.  That's when I remembered Pappy's Frijoles Rancheros, which my grandmother always argued were actually called Frijoles Charros.  I really didn't care what they called them, I just wanted to dive into the hearty bean soup with pieces of pork meat.  Sometimes that pork meat was bacon, but most of the time, Pappy made his Frijoles Charros with smoked patitas de puerco (pigs feet).  Either way, it was always delicious.

For me, Frijoles Charros is the perfect dish to serve this year for Mexican Independence Day, because it's made with one of the most important staple ingredients of Mexican cuisine: beans.  And it gets much of it's flavor from a tricolor Salsa Mexicana, with the same colors of the Mexican flag.  And because it reminds me of the stories Pappy used to tell me about his childhood en el rancho (on the ranch) in the mountains of Chihuahua.  It's an awesome Mexican recipe any way you look at it.

Feliz Día de la Independencia!  Viva México!  Viva México!!! Viva México!!! 


Frijoles Charros o Frijoles Rancheros
(Cowboy Beans) (Recipe adapted from Mexican Everyday by Rick Bayless)

Ingredients:
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 3 large roma tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 fresh serrano chilies, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped
  • 4 cups Cooked Beans with bean broth
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Directions:
In a large 2 to 3-quart saucepan or stockpot, saute the bacon over medium heat, stirring regularly, until  completely cooked and crispy.  Add the onion, garlic, and serrano chilies.  Saute for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Stir in the tomatoes and let cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.  Add the beans with their broth and 2 tablespoons of the chopped cilantro.  Taste and season with salt, if necessary.  Cover and let simmer over medium-low heat for 15 to 20 minutes.  Serve in bowls and garnish with more chopped cilantro.  Enjoy!!!


For more Fiesta food & drinks, be sure to check out all of the #SundaySupper recipes!

Sopas (Soups), Ensaladas (Salads), and Entremeses (Starters)
La Comida (the food)
Postres (desserts)
Bebidas (beverages)

Please be sure you join us on Twitter throughout the day (this coming Sunday, September 16) during #SundaySupper. We’ll be meeting up at 7:00 pm (Eastern) for our weekly #SundaySupper  live chat where we’ll talk about our favorite recipes for a Mexican Fiesta! All you have to do is follow the#SundaySupper hashtag, or you can follow us through TweetChat!  We’d also love to feature your Mexican Fiesta recipes on our #SundaySupper Pinterest board and share them with all of our followers!


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37 comments

  1. Oh this does sound really nice. I usually make Frijoles Negros so it will be a nice change to use red beans.

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  2. I have been waiting for this recipe ever since you posted the photo in the Sunday Supper group on facebook. I absolutely love cowboy beans and cannot wait to try your recipe.

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  3. Very easy but sounds so good! loving it!

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  4. beautiful, lovely flavors - nothing beats the small red beans which are my favorite... I use them in so many dishes - Frijoles Rancheros or Charros, it's all good to me... one of my all-time bean recipe.... now I would really like to see your version of frijoles vs. your grandmother's way...

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    1. Hi Drick! Always nice to hear from you, my friend. I loved the cooked red beans. I thought they had a much heartier taste than pintos or peruvian beans, which are what I usually use. Next recipe on my list to try with them is your Salsa Beans. :)

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  5. Never mind the name, it sounds like the perfect, easy recipe to celebrate! Nice memories associated with it. Have a great independence day!

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  6. Looks delicious! I was stalking your blog the other day and found some many recipes I want to try. We love Mexican food!

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  7. Amazing! This recipe is definitely getting added to my list of ones to try ASAP! Sounds delicious...thanks for sharing!

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  8. Lovely rendition of a Mexican classic--thanks for sharing. The fireworks have started! Feliz Fiestas

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  9. I hope you're having an amazing day! So jealous that you're in Mexico!

    I would LOVE to have a bowl full of these!

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  10. Beautiful picture and this look so awesome!!

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  11. Just looking at the pictures warmed me up a bit! I love these!

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  12. Looks delicious, Leslie! Thanks for sharing!

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  13. I just love beans!!! Could I please get a plate right now :) It looks so, so good!

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  14. My daughter would eat that whole pail in no time flat. She is a huge lover of beans. Just showed it to her and she is drooling on me!! LOL

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  15. Love the colors and the flavors. Have to try it soon :)

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  16. You can never go wrong with pork and bean dishes. Love that this reminds you of family.

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  17. Yum! I love frijoles however they come, so I will be trying this recipe very soon!

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  18. Oh Yumminess!! I just want to eat it all up! Thank you for sharing. Happy #SundaySupper

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  19. My husband would love this. He is all over beans any time that I make them!

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  20. I need to make this asap. It is really fabulous. I am so hungry now.

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  21. wow these look great! We love beans, and I need to make these!

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  22. Your cowboy beans look delicious! My hubbie will love these!

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  23. Charro beans are not only one of my favorite sides...I could eat them as a meal alone with some tortillas and queso fresco. They look awesome!

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  24. These are my favorite way to eat beans~~ they look yummy Leslie!!

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  25. What a beautiful recipe and outstanding photography. Loved that you shared it during #Sundaysupper

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  26. This looks and sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing!!

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  27. These sound great Leslie! Love Pappy's recipe!

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  28. I've always wanted to make baked beans from scratch since I've only ever had canned (bleh). This is going on my list!

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  29. I love hearing stories of your life in Mexico. They sound so romantical like telenovela. I imagine you in the Mexican countrylooking gorgeous making this dish. uhhh did that sound a little weird? I love this dish!

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    1. Not weird at all, Sarah! I often imagine myself the same way when I'm cooking the more traditional Mexican dishes. LOL :)

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  30. I love these beans! I don't know if it's the cilantro or the bacon...maybe both!

    Jamie @ www.mamamommymom.com

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  31. It has just turned a little cool here which means big pot of beans weather. I made black beans but now I am wishing I had read this first because this recipe looks amazing!

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  32. Beautiful & I just wanna steal all your accessories :)

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  33. Love this...spicy beans with bacon is a perfect combo.

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  34. Girl where are the hot dogs and ham ? Lol my family is mexican we add about 5 more chiles and hot dogs cut in fours and lots of sliced ham and 3 pieces of chorizo ;D yum

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