Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner! You just have to start with a pot of beans. For years I wasn’t happy with my Mexican beans. Recently I told my mom that mine just never taste as good as the beans I eat at home or in the Valley, as we like to refer to the South Texas region where they live. She told me that the secret was in the bacon, and she was right! Here is my perfect Mexican beans recipe:
2 lbs of pinto beans
1 lb bacon
1 large onion
1 can Rotel Tomatoes
1 bunch cilantro
I use the quick soak method. Separate and wash the beans. Cover with about 10 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and cover. Let stand for an hour.
Meanwhile, chop and fry the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and fry the chopped onion in the bacon grease until tender.
Then bring the beans to a boil again, and reduce heat. Add the tomato, bacon, onions and all–yes all the bacon grease. Simmer for an hour or until the beans are tender.
Just before serving add salt to taste and the leaves from a whole bunch of cilantro. Perfection!
varunner7 says
April 20, 2011 at 7:13 amSounds very easy and of course, easy on the budget too. Yum!
Nancy says
April 20, 2011 at 7:21 amYummy! But you forgot to add Bean-o as an ingredient. 🙂
Christa says
April 20, 2011 at 9:46 amsounds yummy!!
Rachel says
April 20, 2011 at 10:03 amI have never had Mexican Beans they sound really good! Well anything with a lb of bacon (and the grease!) sounds good to me right now!!
h. rae says
April 20, 2011 at 11:48 amThey really do sound good! And they look even better! Oh, that I were a cook! My kingdom for a spatula! No, not really. I’ll pass on the recipe to Mom. She’s a whiz. But this one looks simple enough.
Have a wonderful day!
Frieda says
April 20, 2011 at 11:48 amThe bacon grease makes the beans delicious, but you don’t absolutely have to put that much if you have worries about colesterol (or pounds). I save part of the grease to make refried beans with the leftovers. I guess I still eat it all one way or another, though!
Carla says
April 20, 2011 at 2:40 pmOoooh! I am so excited to try this! I have a bag of beans that I was just (as in two hours ago) wondering how I would cook them. I might have to buy some bacon, though!
Mariana says
April 20, 2011 at 7:23 pmomg you make it sound so easy!! i’ve always wanted to know how to make beans!! i’m going to give it a try!!
ali @ an ordinary mom says
April 20, 2011 at 8:27 pmYum! I’m going to have to try this recipe, thanks for sharing!
Dottie says
April 20, 2011 at 8:48 pmSounds good, except I’ll use turkey bacon. Thanks!
Janelle says
April 21, 2011 at 3:40 pmGreat post!
We have beans at least once a week!
I will have to try your tips!
Thanks for sharing!!
Blessings,
Janelle
PS – stopped by from Works for Me Wednesday!
Elsa says
March 6, 2015 at 5:47 amYou can add a whole fresh jalapeno, no stem, to the potnof beans to add a little kick!
Ujb says
May 31, 2016 at 12:57 amInstead of water I use stock. Comes out even better.
Susan says
December 20, 2018 at 8:50 amI’m looking forward to trying these. What size can of rotel do you use with two pounds of beans?
EstherIrish says
December 20, 2018 at 8:55 amOh my goodness! Great question. 10 oz can. I need to update this recipe. 🙂