Frijoles Puercos, or “pork beans,” is a rich and flavorful Mexican dish that combines refried beans with chorizo, bacon, and cheese.
>>>Get the Recipe in Details: Frijoles Puercos Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cooked pinto beans (or 2 cans of pinto beans, undrained)
- 1/2 cup pork lard or vegetable oil
- 1/2 pound Mexican chorizo, casing removed
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup shredded Chihuahua or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños, chopped (optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Cook the Bacon and Chorizo: In a large skillet, heat the pork lard or vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside. In the same skillet, add the chorizo and cook until fully browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Remove the chorizo and set aside with the bacon.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the Beans: Add the cooked pinto beans (with their liquid) to the skillet. Stir in the ground cumin and cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Blend the Beans: Using an immersion blender or a regular blender, blend the beans until smooth. If using a regular blender, you may need to do this in batches.
- Combine and Cook: Return the blended beans to the skillet. Stir in the cooked bacon, chorizo, and pickled jalapeños (if using). Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the Cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the shredded cheese until melted and well combined.
- Serve: Transfer the Frijoles Puercos to a serving dish and garnish with additional cheese or chopped cilantro if desired. Serve warm with tortilla chips or as a side dish.