Description
This hearty and flavorful Pinto Beans with Chorizo recipe is a comforting dish packed with smoky, spicy, and savory goodness. The creamy pinto beans absorb the bold flavors of chorizo, garlic, and spices, making this dish perfect as a main meal or a side. Serve it with rice, tortillas, or crusty bread for a delicious and satisfying experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups dried pinto beans (or 3 cans, drained and rinsed)
- 8 oz (225g) chorizo sausage, casing removed and crumbled
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional for extra spice)
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beans: If using dried beans, rinse and soak them overnight in water. Drain and rinse before cooking.
- Cook the Chorizo: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add crumbled chorizo and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, and chili powder, stirring for another minute until fragrant.
- Simmer the Beans: Add soaked (or canned) pinto beans, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, bay leaf, and the cooked chorizo back into the pot. Stir well.
- Cook: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours (or 30 minutes if using canned beans) until beans are tender. Stir occasionally and add water if needed.
- Season and Serve: Remove the bay leaf, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot with lime wedges on the side.
Notes
- For a quicker version, use canned pinto beans instead of dried.
- If you like extra spice, add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
- Serve with cornbread, rice, or warm tortillas for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1.5 to 2 hours (or 30 minutes if using canned beans)
- Category: Main Course, Side Dish
- Cuisine: Mexican, Latin American
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 20g