Borracho Beans
One of my absolute favorite things to eat are freshly made pinto beans. I mean seriously, I could eat them all day long! This is by far the best recipe I’ve ever used for them. It’s super easy & incredibly delicious! This is a recipe that is a STAPLE in our house & I’m sure it will become one in yours too! If you don’t have a Crock Pot, then this recipe is worth getting one for. I cannot tell you how amazing these will turn out. We love to use them as a side dish with tacos or to just eat up with some fresh homemade flour tortillas (which I will have that recipe up soon!)
Enjoy!
You will need:
1 pound dried pinto beans (about 2 cups)
¼ pound (4 thick strips) bacon, cut into ½ pieces
1 Tbsp onion powder, plus more as needed
1 tsp garlic powder, plus more if needed
¼- ½ cup chunky salsa (I use Pace)
1- 3.98 ounce package Maggi or other sofrito seasoning paste
Salt & pepper
1 bunch cilantro, leaves chopped (optional)
To make:
First off, this is a crucial step! DO NOT SKIP.
Place the beans in a strainer & pick through them. Throw away any pebbles, shriveled beans, or debris. Rinse the beans WELL & then drain.
Soak the beans overnight in a large mixing bowl. Add cold water to cover the beans by about 2 inches & set aside to soak 8+ hours.
The next day, drain & rinse the beans & place in a Crock Pot.
Add boiling water to cover the beans by 1 inch.
Add onion & garlic powder & cook on high 5-6 hours, continually adding more boiling water to keep the beans submerged & gently stirring to keep them from sticking to the bottom.
About 2 hours into cooking, stir in the salsa & a little more onion & garlic powder.
Then in a small skillet, fry the bacon until cooked, not crispy. Transfer to towel lined plate & set aside.
About 1 hour before the end of cooking, add the bacon (cut into ½ inch pieces), sofrito, 1 tsp salt, & a little black pepper.
When the beans are fully cooked, taste & season with salt & pepper. Ladle into a bowl & top with cilantro!
Delicious recipe. I would just caution to not add salsa (tomato based) until beans are soft. If tomatoes, or tomato based ingredients are added while beans are hard…..beans will stay hard!
Toni,
Yes great tip! I always soak mine the night before so that problem doesn’t occur!
Thanks for your tip!