Instant Pot Charro Beans are made with smokey bacon, fire-roasted tomatoes, pinto beans, and a little spice for the perfect Frijoles Charros you have ever eaten! These are the perfect side dish for any Mexican Food Meal!
With Cinco de Mayo coming up, I have one more Mexican-inspired dish to add to your lineup. These Charro Beans will make your maracas shake. They have a great smoky flavor and are oh so good!
Now don’t run away when you see Instant Pot if you do not have one! I have stovetop instructions too! I use my instant pot to cut out the soaking time. (You know sometimes I just forget to do that)
The combo of the bacon and the roasted garlic creates a smokiness you cannot resist! These beans will add just a little something special to your Taco Tuesday or in this case Cinco de Mayo Celebration! Pair them with Mexican Rice to complete a perfect plate! Creamy Green Chile Enchiladas just want these as a sidekick for Fiesta Friday! Or maybe Easy Beef Barbacoa or Salsa Verde Chicken may just win out for the celebrations too! Why not make them all!
What you need to make Instant Pot Charro Beans
- Dried Pinto Beans
- Bacon
- Onion
- Jalapeno
- Chicken Stock or Broth
- Salt
- Cumin
- Diced Tomatoes or Diced Fire Roasted Tomatoes
- Roasted Minced Garlic (or regular)
- Bay Leaf
How to Make the best Instant Pot Charro Beans
Step 1. Grab your bacon and let’s get to cookin’. It’s sauté time. Saute for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add in onion and jalapeno cook another minute or 2. During the last minute add in garlic.
Step 2. Add in chicken stock and scrape any bits stuck to the bottom. Then you are ready to dump everything else in and stir. Put your lid on and cook for 1 hour. Let Natural Release, this will take about 30 to 40 minutes. It is well worth the wait!
Then you have amazingly delicious charro beans!! I mean smoky bacon flavors greatness with a touch a spice. But not too much! If you want more spice you can add in more jalapeno or leave those seeds on - at your own risk of course 😉
Enjoy!
Charro Beans | Instant Pot & Stove Top
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pinto beans, rinsed
- 8 ounces of bacon, chopped
- ¼ cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno, seeds removed, diced, (if you want spicy you can leave some seeds in)
- 2 teaspoons sea salt, (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon cumin, (optional)
- 2 teaspoons roasted minced garlic, I used spice world brand
- 1 can fire roasted tomatoes or diced tomatoes
- 5 cups chicken stock or broth
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
- Set Instant Pot {6 Quart} to sauté and let get hot. Add in the bacon and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add in onion, garlic, and jalapeno and cook another 1 to 2 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape any bits off the bottom.
- Add in salt, tomatoes, beans, cumin and bay leaves, Stir. Lock on lid and set to manual high pressure and cook for 60 minutes.
- Once cooking is done let the beans NATURAL RELEASE. This will take about 30 to 40 minutes.
- Stir and serve.
Long Sue says
I made this recipe exactly as documented and had no issues. I actually thought it was soupy and didn’t know any better if it should or should not be. Delicious!
Nikki Lee says
Thank you Sue! I am so glad you loved it!
Brian says
Hi tried this recipe and added 1-1.5 cup of chicken broth. This really helped in having juicy beans. The flavor was good as was the spicy ness.
Nikki - Soulfully Made says
Thank you Brian! I am so happy you enjoyed them!
Duane Robert Jones says
I followed the recipe but added about a cup and a half more liquid. Beans were stilla bit under cooked. Added another 12 oz of liquid because they need to be a bit soupy especially if you are going to heat leftovers. I also added 2 tsp chili powder
Dianne says
I doubled the recipe in the IP and it was tasty! I usually use recipes and "guidelines" but followed this exactly. Next time I'll add a bit more broth but I left them on warm for a long time. Serving this to company tonight as Charro Beans and tomorrow the leftovers will be refried beans along with your chicken enchilada recipe. Thanks for a great recipes and a very good site!
Dianne
[email protected] says
Thank you so much! I With beans you never know sometimes they need more liquid than others. I really do love the flavor of these Charro's and oh yum as refried beans the next day! It's going to be a great meal for Cinco de Mayo or any day! I hope you enjoy <3 - Nikki
Shelley says
Made these per recipe - absolutely delish! Had to cook my beans a few more minutes but hands down the best beans I’ve made in some time. Served with some jalapeño cheese corn bread!
[email protected] says
Thank you Shelley! I am so glad you enjoyed them. Oh jalapeño cheese corn bread is the best! Now you have me craving some.
Kristina says
Loved this recipe so much! I added in a bottle of beer in place of part of the water and 2 tbsp of pinto bean seasoning! Turned out delicious! I added about 10 extra minutes to the cook time, because I like my beans a tad on the mushy side.
[email protected] says
I love the addition of the beer! I will have to try it next time! I bet it adds terrific flavor! I am still experimenting with my IP and love any feed back! Thank you for stopping by to chat and share your changes. I hope you will come back often. This is why I blog to share and to hear from my readers! You have made my day! If you are on social media would love for you to join in our group! We share encouragement, recipes and have lots of fun! <3 https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfullymade
Melissa says
Your directions in recipe don't say when to add beans?
[email protected] says
Melissa, I am so sorry I have added it in the recipe section. It was in the post but not in the recipe section. Big oops on my part. Thank you so much for letting me know. Hope you come back to visit soon! Sorry this is so late in getting back. I have been working on preparations for the storm and have been away a bit.