Mexican Charro Beans with Ham
Dress up pinto beans with bacon, ham, and pico de gallo salsa to make this stick-to-your-ribs Mexican Charro Beans with Ham recipe!
Are you needing inspiration for leftover ham? Or you just love pinto beans? I love this Mexican Charro Beans with Ham recipe that I made a while back because it’s a lovely side dish, main dish, or even delicious served in a wrap. You may also want to try my Homemade Refried Pinto Beans recipe!
Why we love this recipe
- This recipe includes ham! I love ham and bacon!
- It’s an easy charro beans recipe!
- Recipe is on the table in less than 30 minutes.
- Great potluck dish, or side dish for Cinco de Mayo!
What are Mexican Charro Beans with Ham made of?
Charro beans, or “cowboy beans” are Mexican-style pinto beans made from bacon, onions, garlic, chipotle peppers, tomatoes and other spices. For this recipe, we took a short cut and used Bush’s canned pinto beans, ham, and picco de gallo! For this best charro beans recipe, you can cook the beans from scratch, in broth, if you prefer.
Ingredients for pinto beans recipe
- Bacon (and leftover ham)
- Pico de Gallo
- Pinto beans (canned)
- Onion
- Salt
- Fresh cilantro
- Sour cream
I get into ruts with cooking. I love the simplicity and taste of this easy recipe today, made with beans, leftover ham, and salsa.
How do you serve Mexican Charro beans?
You can serve it as a main dish (on rice), side dish (with chicken), or even in a wrap.
Or, how about as a quick snack? I eat several snacks throughout the day. Mini meals are the best!
You can also grab a bag of chips and eat is as a dip (chips and salsa). So good.
Serve these charro beans at your next Mexican potluck!
How do you make Charro beans?
- In large skillet, fry bacon with diced ham.
- Next add in Pico de Gallo and saute (approximately one minute). Add the drained beans and onion.
- Simmer and then add small amount of water as needed. Add salt to taste. Sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro.
- Serve individual servings in a bowl with a dab (spoonful) of sour cream, and fresh cilantro sprinkled on top.
Tips and substitutions:
- Swap out the beans for your favorite beans. But to make authentic charro beans, you really do want to use pinto beans!
- Use leftover ham. We love the leftovers from this Brown Sugar Glazed Ham recipe.
- This makes a great potluck dish!
- Make this dish in the slow cooker – heat on LOW for 1-2 hours.
More bean recipes to try:
Cheesy Vegetarian Sweet Potato Bean Enchiladas
Stovetop Cuban Style Black Beans
Instant Pot Mexican Pinto Beans
Get the Recipe:
Mexican Charro Beans with Ham
Ingredients
- 4 slices uncooked bacon chopped
- 1 cup diced precooked ham
- 14 ounces prepared Pico de Gallo sauce
- 4 cups canned pinto beans
- 1 medium onion
- 1 pinch Salt to taste
- fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- sour cream, a dab on each serving for garnish
Instructions
- In large skillet, fry bacon with diced ham. When done, add Pico de Gallo and saute (approximately one minute). Add beans and all ingredients to stock pot.
- Simmer 10 to 15 minutes. Add small amount of water as needed. Add salt to taste. Sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro.
- Serve individual servings in a bowl with a dab (spoonful) of sour cream, and fresh cilantro sprinkled on top.
Notes
I’m making this right now… Do I drain the beans?
Totally optional! It’s fine to not drain them!
I made this tonight and really liked it. I left out the onions, though. I had it as a burrito in a flour tortilla. Delish! Thanks for sharing it.
I do a lot of thinking during this time of year…I guess at the change of all the seasons really. I’m really so focused on being more intentional with my time, and yes how it affects others. Great post Sandy…so much to think about.
I love the bean recipe too!! I could totally eat this over rice, so good.
Yum! It looks yummy, easy and versatile! Perfect meal :)
I love that quote! I’m looking up some of his quotes right now. Have a great week!
Leftover ham dilema solved! This sounds wonderful, Sandy!