• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Fall Favorites
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Subscribe

Chicken Fried Kitchen

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Fall Favorites
  • Recipe Index
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Fall Favorites
    • Recipe Index
    • About Me
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Pressure Cooker

    Published: Mar 9, 2021 · Modified: Feb 17, 2023 by Jeremy Klae · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Instant Pot Charro Beans

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    These Instant Pot Charro Beans are the best side for so many types of main dishes! The smokey, somewhat spicy, chili-like flavor makes for a true comfort food that's easy to make and fairly hands-off for most of the cooking time.

    Charro Beans served in a decorative dish garnished with cilantro.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Recipes You'll Love
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    These Charro Beans are always a crowd-pleaser, and trust me; there will be days that you'll find yourself craving them. The bacon and chorizo add a wonderful smokiness, while the combination of herbs and spices make this a comfort food classic. This is a no-soak bean recipe, meaning you can dump them right into the Instant Pot.

    I love serving these beans with a lot of different dishes, but one of my favorites is to serve them with Texas-Style Smoked Brisket with Hatch Chile Mac and Cheese.

    Ingredients

    Meat: I like using Hickory Smoked Thick Cut Bacon and Pork Chorizo in this recipe.

    Beans: Dry Pinto Beans will be all that you need.

    Vegetables: You'll need canned, Fired Roasted Tomatoes and Yellow Onions.

    Liquids: Chicken Broth/Stock and Water will take care of you.

    Herbs and Spices: You'll need Minced Garlic, Chili Powder, Cumin, Ground Black Pepper, Dried Mexican Oregano, and Epazote.

    Extras: I like to garnish each bowl with fresh cilantro, but that's completely optional.

    See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Set the Instant Pot to the sauté mode on high and follow the next steps in the Instant Pot itself. This will save you some extra cleanup and add a bit more flavor to the beans because you aren't wasting anything.

    In a Cast Iron Skillet or the instant pot set to sauté(high), I start by cooking a diced yellow onion in some olive oil. Once the onion becomes translucent and brown, I add chopped, hickory, smoked, thick-cut bacon. I like to cut the bacon before it goes into the pan, so I'm not trying to mess around with it while it's cooking and grease splatters on me.

    When the bacon begins to crisp up, I add a couple of tablespoons of minced garlic and stir that in with the onions and bacon until it becomes fragrant.

    Now, I add the pork chorizo and mix it in, stirring frequently until it all breaks down and resembles a chili-like consistency.

    Lastly, I set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook, High, for 50 minutes.

    Let it do its thing and allow a natural release for at least 15 minutes. Then, you can quickly release it if need be.

    Expert Tips

    • Try serving these charro beans in these Pioneer Woman Ramekins. We like to really do it up and even use these taco holders. And when you get the whole set, it includes a matching bowl and serving spoons. They're super fun; loading the tacos and making clean-up a breeze is much easier.
    • If you're looking for an alternative to Tacos, these Instant Pot beans pair well with Copycat Taco Bell Chalupas.
    • Be sure to cut the bacon into pieces first so you aren't trying to mess with that while they are frying. This also allows you to keep the bacon grease in the beans, adding a ton of flavor.

    Recipe FAQs

    What Are Charro Beans?

    Charro Beans are stewed Pinto beans with bacon and seasonings. Sometimes, they include chorizo, ham, or beef franks.

    Also known as Frijoles Charros or Cowboy Beans, they got their name from the traditional Mexican Cowboy Horsemen, Charros.

    While they are an authentic Mexican dish, they can also be found in most Tex-Mex restaurants throughout the United States.

    Can Charro Beans be made in a Crockpot?

    Yes, they can! When cooking crock pot charro beans, follow the same instructions as before, but do all the browning and sautéing in a cast iron skillet. Place everything from the cast Iron skillet along with all other ingredients into the slow cooker. I recommend starting high for the first two hours to allow the beans to soften, then cooking on low for two more hours.

    Can Charro Beans be made on the stovetop?

    Yes, they sure can! The main difference here is the preparation of the beans. As usual, you want to rinse them and remove any rocks. Then, place them in a bowl of water overnight to allow them to soak. This softens the beans before you put them in the Dutch Oven.

    After soaking them overnight, drain the water, follow the above recipe, but make it all in one Cast Iron Pot or heavy Enameled Dutch Oven.

    Bring all the ingredients to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about an hour and a half.

    Are charro beans the same as black beans?

    No. Charro beans are a Mexican dish that traditionally includes pinto beans, bacon chorizo, onions, tomatoes, herbs, and spices.

    More Recipes You'll Love

    • Pollo Asado sliced on a cutting board.
      Pollo Asado: Mexican Style Grilled Chicken
    • Elotes, Mexican-style street corn served in a cup, topped with Cotija Cheese, and garnished with a lime wedge and cilantro.
      Elote en Vaso: Mexican-Style Street Corn
    • Pico de Gallo served in a glass bowl with tortilla chips on the side.
      Easy Classic Pico de Gallo
    • Guacamole served with tortilla chips and topped with red onions.
      Guacamole Recipe: Easy, Homemade, & Spicy!

    If you made this Instant Pot Charro Beans recipe or any other of my recipes, please leave a Star Rating and let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

    Don't forget to tag @chickenfriedkitchen on Instagram, Subscribe on YouTube, and Follow on Pinterest and Facebook! I'll see you there!

    📖 Recipe

    Two bowls of charro beans with tacos and toppings blurred in the background.

    How to Make Charro Beans

    When I show you how to make charro beans you'll be blown away by how easy u0026amp; delicious these really are. Let the cravings begin!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Any
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 342kcal
    Author: Jeremy Klae

    Ingredients

    • 1 lb Dry Pinto Beans - Rinsed
    • 10 Strips Hickory Smoked Thick Cut Bacon - Chopped
    • 9 Oz Pork Chorizo
    • 1 Yellow Onion - Chopped
    • 2 tablespoon Minced Garlic
    • 1 - 15 Oz Can Fire Roasted Tomatoes
    • 4 Cups Chicken Broth
    • 2 Cups Water
    • 2 teaspoon Chili Powder
    • 2 teaspoon Cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • ½ teaspoon Dried Mexican Oregano
    • 1 Bunch Epazote (Epazote De Comer)
    • Cilantro for Garnish

    Instructions

    • In the Instant Pot, set to Sauté, High, or a 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet, heat olive oil, and sauté diced onion until translucent and just beginning to brown.
    • Once the onion is browning add chopped bacon and cook just until it begins to crisp up.
    • Add Garlic mixing well and cooking until it becomes aromatic.
    • Stir in the pork chorizo until the whole mixture begins to resemble chili.
    • Pour this mixture into the pressure cooker pot and stir in the rinsed beans.
    • Add the can of fire roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, and water stirring to combine.
    • Stir in the chili powder, cumin, black pepper, and Mexican Oregano.
    • Sprinkle the top with a pinch or two of Epazote.
    • Seal the pressure cooker and set to 50 minutes on the soup setting.
    • When cooking is done allow for a natural release for at least 15 minutes and then you can quick release if need be.
    • Serve garnished with fresh cilantro and ENJOY!

    Video

    Notes

    • Try serving these charro beans in these Pioneer Woman Ramekins. We like to really do it up and even use these taco holders. And when you get the whole set, it includes a matching bowl and serving spoons. They're super fun; loading the tacos and making clean-up a breeze is much easier.
    • If you're looking for an alternative to Tacos, these Instant Pot beans pair well with Copycat Taco Bell Chalupas.
    • Be sure to cut the bacon into pieces first so you aren't trying to mess with that while they are frying. This also allows you to keep the bacon grease in the beans, adding a ton of flavor.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 342kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 707mg | Potassium: 633mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 369IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ChickenFriedKitchen or tag #chickenfriedkitchen!

    More Pressure Cooker Recipes

    • Barbacoa served with lime wedges and toped with Cilantro.
      Instant Pot Barbacoa
    • Coq au Vin Served in a large platter.
      Coq au Vin: An Easy Instant Pot Recipe
    • Instant Pot Baked Beans served in a vintage baking dish with a wooden serving spoon.
      Baked Bean Recipe
    • Instant Pot Filipino Pork Adobo Served with rice.
      Super Easy Pork Adobo Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Trackbacks

    1. Instant Pot Side Dishes Recipe Roundup - Making It All Work says:
      July 26, 2021 at 2:11 am

      […] How to Make Charro Beans by Chicken Fried Kitchen […]

      Reply
    2. Instant Pot Side Dishes Recipe Roundup - Down Home Dish says:
      May 20, 2021 at 3:51 pm

      […] How to Make Charro Beans by Chicken Fried Kitchen […]

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Jeremy Klae Headshot.

    I'm Jeremy Klae and allow me to be the first to say, it's a pleasure meeting you. I believe that sharing food with friends and family is the most comforting thing a person can do. Which is why i'm here to share my recipes with you!

    More about me →

    Favorite Fall Recipes

    • Two bowls of Italian sausage soup with tortellini, fresh basil, and a dutch oven full of soup.
      Italian Sausage and Tortellini Soup
    • Coq au Vin Served in a large platter.
      Coq au Vin: An Easy Instant Pot Recipe
    • Tomato Basil Soup served and garnished with parmesan and fresh basil.
      Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
    • Tater Tot Casserole on a blue metal plate with a cast iron skillet full of casserole blurred in the background.
      Easy Tater Tot Casserole
    • Creamed Spinach Served in a Cast Iron Skillet.
      Creamed Spinach
    • Full 9x13" casserole dish of Bananas Foster Bread Pudding.
      Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

    Popular Recipes

    • Brown Gravy in a black contemporary gravy boat.
      Brown Gravy
    • Italian Sausage Stuffing served in a baking dish.
      Italian Sausage Stuffing
    • Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes served in a white baking dish.
      Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes
    • A stemless wine glass of aperol spritz with two oranges next to it.
      Aperol Spritz
    • Rosemary bread slices on a wooden serving board.
      Rosemary Bread Recipe
    • Tzatziki served with toasted pita bread.
      Tzatziki Sauce

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 chickenfriedkitchen.com