These beans are my choice when I go to a Mexican restaurant. Charro beans are named for the traditional Mexican horsemen, or Charros. The key ingredient in Charro beans are dried Pinto beans – which translated means “spotted beans” or “speckled beans” – sort of like the horse. According to Wikipedia, Pinto beans are the most popular bean in the United States and Northwestern Mexico, and were once a food staple, especially during the winter months.

These beans are most often stewed with Bacon, onions, garlic, and other ingredients such as peppers, tomatoes, cilantro, ham, sausage, chorizo, potatoes, etc. They are served warm, in a bowl, and have a somewhat thick soupy consistency.

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