Mexican Cowboy Beans With Longaniza Sausage Recipe

This hearty bean recipe comes from Mexico, where it is known as frijoles charros. It is believed that the stew is named after the famous Mexican charros or horseman. The English translation of this dish is horseman beans or cowboy beans. 

Mexican families love to eat a bowl of these beans alongside a freshly grilled piece of steak. In my family, we could not have a cookout without a huge pot of frijoles charros to accompany our carne asada. Across Mexico and expat Mexican communities these beans area always present at cookout parties and special occasions or celebrations. They are also commonly found in restaurants that specialize in grilled meats. 

There are several tales that claim charro beans originated in the Northern states of Mexico, then there are others that say the Western Mexican state of Jalisco created the dish. The disagreements don't end there. Some prefer the beans as a side dish, while others as a main meal. Additionally, there are people that like a soupier bean stew, while others want them drier. People also disagree as to what ingredients must be included in the recipe in order to call them true frijoles charros. The basic or most common ingredients are pinto beans, bacon, chorizo sausage, hot dogs, tomatoes, onions and so on; but every family has their own unique recipe and ingredients list. I believe that there is no right or wrong recipe. I alone have three different charro bean recipes that I've created and like to switch between depending on my mood. 

For this version of Mexican cowboy beans, I gave the recipe a twist. Instead of using Mexican chorizo I used longaniza sausage (similar to chorizo but longer links and spicier), and I also added poblano peppers. Typically charro beans are a mild dish, but adding serrano chilies and longaniza sausage makes the stew spicy. Additionally, by omitting the bacon we create a healthier meal. 

You'll notice the recipe calls for dried pinto beans, I always start off this way so that the boiling broth may be used later. I highly recommend that you to do the same -- the difference in taste is amazing! Lastly, if Mexican longaniza is not available feel free to use Mexican chorizo instead. You can even make your own like I do.