Mexican Beans

Name: Mexican Beans
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 210 min
Total time: 225 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Dried Borlotti beans 1 ½ cup; Tomato purée 1.3 cups; Yellow onions ½; Fresh chili pepper habanero 1; Cinnamon sticks 1; Powdered cumin 1 tsp; Parsley to taste; Baking soda 1 pinch; Water to taste; Extra virgin olive oil to taste; Fine salt to taste

it de fr es br nl

309

Calories per serving

Energy Kcal 309
Carbohydrates g 42
of which sugars g 6.2
Protein g 19.1
Fats g 7.1
of which saturated fat g 1.14
Fiber g 14.3
Sodium mg 305

Gluten Free
Lactose Free
Vegetarian
Vegan

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 3 h 30 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Low
Note + the soaking time for the dried beans (overnight)

PRESENTATION

Recipe by
Stephanie Cabibbo

Mexican-style beans? Seriously, they’re a must-have for any meal. Whether it's breakfast burritos or late-night tacos, these beans add a bright flavor punch. And look, this version uses borlotti beans instead of the usual black beans. Which is great. Super accessible, especially if you're out of the standard ingredients. I mean, who always has cilantro on hand? Here, parsley steps in, giving a different, fresh vibe. You still get that spicy kick from fresh chili peppers. Plus, there's a touch of aromatic cumin and even a hint of cinnamon. Unexpected, right? But really really good.

These Mexican-style beans turn out tender and moist—which is awesome—full of flavor but not too heavy. Honestly, a few smart swaps and you still nail the heart of Mexican cuisine. Known by some as frijoles charros or borracho beans, these beans truly shine when you splash in some beer or add bacon. Pretty much. They're so versatile, perfect as a hearty side dish or a taco filling.

Have you tried frijoles refritos? They're mashed and fried, creating that super creamy texture. And, you know, no matter how you serve them, Mexican-style beans bring an authentic taste of Mexico to the table. You can mix in pinto or black beans, add extra spices—go wild! This dish is easygoing, packed with rich flavor, like that friend who's always around when you need something comforting and satisfying. Whether it’s a family dinner or a quick snack, these beans are a no-brainer. Really. They never disappoint, keeping your meals exciting every single time. Can't go wrong with that.

How to prepare Mexican Beans

To prepare Mexican beans, first put the dried beans in a bowl with cold water 1, add a pinch of baking soda 2, and let them soak overnight. The next day, pour the drained beans into a pot of boiling water and, when it returns to a boil, drain them again; this way they will be more digestible.

Peel and finely chop the onion 4, then slice the chili pepper into rings 5. In the same pot where you blanched the beans, add the onion with a generous drizzle of oil and let it fry gently 6.

Once the onion has wilted, add the chili pepper 7 and let it flavor. At this point add the beans 8 and sauté them for a few minutes on high heat, then lower the heat and add the tomato sauce 9.

Cover the beans with water 10, then add the cinnamon stick 11 and cumin 12.

Cook with the lid on for about 3 hours on low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a little water if necessary 13. Meanwhile, chop the parsley 14. After the cooking time, season with salt 15.

Let it thicken on the stove without the lid, stirring for a few more minutes until you reach the desired consistency 16. Finally, scent with chopped parsley 17 and serve your Mexican beans 18!