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    Home » Side Dish

    Low Calorie Charro Beans

    Published: June 16, 2023 · Modified: September 15, 2023 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Pinterest pin of low calorie charro beans.

    These Low Calorie Charro Beans is a hearty side to accompany your Mexican dinner night. Made easy with canned pinto beans, onion, bacon and spices to make them extra flavorful and delicious.

    Beans in a bowl with liquid.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • Step-By-Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • Variations
    • Storing & Freezing
    • Recipe FAQ's
    • More Recipes You'll Love
    • Low Calorie Charro Beans
    • #respond

    Check out my Low Calorie Pinto Beans and my Low Carb Corn Tortillas for more delicious recipes!

    These low calorie charro beans are made easy with canned beans and is a perfect way to use some pantry staples!

    All the ingredients for these beans are available at any grocery store and won’t break the budget.

    Beans in a bowl topped with green leaves.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Excellent side to go along with any type of grilled meat or tacos.
    • This recipe is hearty, filling and perfectly enjoyed on their own.
    • Highly flavorful, versatile and budget friendly.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    Labeled ingredients for the beans.
    • Bacon: You can use regular or thick cut bacon.
    • Ham: Use leftover ham for this delicious side or main dish recipe.
    • Salsa: Mixture of chopped tomatoes and onions, cilantro, fresh chiles, lime juice, and salt.
    • Pinto Beans: Canned beans make this recipe a cinch.
    • Onion: You can use yellow or white onions.
    • Salt: Adjust to taste.

    Step-By-Step Instructions

    Steps to make the charro beans.

    Step 1: In a large skillet, fry bacon with ham until bacon is fully cooked. Add salsa and sauté for approximately 1 minute.

    Step 2: Transfer the bacon and ham mixture to a large pot and add the beans and onions. Simmer for 15-30 minutes. Add salt to taste.

    Step 3: Add small amounts of water to the beans, until the desired soupiness is achieved.

    NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

    Cooked pinto beans in a bowl.

    Expert Tips

    • Add a few tablespoons of water if the sauce is too thick, or you prefer the beans to be soupier.
    • Omit any meats if you prefer a vegetarian bean dish.
    • Use your favorite type of bacon. Applewood smoked is one of my favorites.

    Variations

    • Make charro beans in the slow cooker! Once the bacon and ham are fried, transfer all the ingredients to the slow cooker and simmer for several hours, adding additional water as needed.
    • Chop up a jalapeño and add it to the beans while they simmer.
    • Add more spices! Garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and cumin are favorites.

    Storing & Freezing

    Storing: Store cooled beans in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.

    Freezing: Place cooled beans in a freezer safe airtight container or zip top bag and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw beans overnight in the refrigerator and heat through on the stove top.

    Recipe FAQ's

    What are charro beans?

    Charro beans (frijoles charros) are a popular Mexican dish consisting of pinto beans in a flavored broth with other types of meat (chorizo, bacon, ham), chili peppers, tomatoes, and spices.

    Is there a difference between charro beans and borracho beans?

    Borracho beans and charro beans are very similar, however, borracho beans are cooked in beer.

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    If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to signup for my newsletter!

    Thumbnail of low calorie charro beans.

    Low Calorie Charro Beans

    5 from 2 votes
    By Kate
    These low calorie charro beans is a hearty side to accompany your Mexican dinner night. Made easy with canned pinto beans, onion, bacon and spices to make them extra flavorful and delicious.
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep 10 minutes mins
    Cook 30 minutes mins
    Total 40 minutes mins
    Servings 4
    Calories 325kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Special Equipment

    • Ceramic Covered Stockpot

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 4 slices bacon, diced
    • 1 cup diced cooked ham
    • 16 ounces salsa
    • 30 ounces canned pinto beans undrained
    • 1 medium onion peeled and diced
    • Salt to taste

    Instructions
     

    • In a large skillet, fry bacon with ham, until bacon is fully cooked. Add salsa and sauté for approximately 1 minute.
    • Transfer the bacon and ham mixture to a large pot and add the beans and onions. Simmer for 15-30 minutes.
    • Add teaspoons of water as needed until the desired soupiness is achieved. Add salt to taste.

    Notes

    • Add a few tablespoons of water if the sauce is too thick, or you prefer the beans to be soupier.
    • Omit any meats if you prefer a vegetarian bean dish
      Use your favorite type of bacon. Applewood smoked is one of my favorites.
    • Storing: Store cooled beans in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
    • Freezing: Place cooled beans in a freezer safe airtight container or zip top bag and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw beans overnight in the refrigerator and heat through on the stove top.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 325kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 21gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 1942mgPotassium: 950mgFiber: 13gSugar: 10g

    All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Tried this recipe?Give it a star rating and leave a comment below!

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