These Crockpot Borracho Beans are a simple and adaptable Mexican side dish that brings a wealth of flavor to any meal! With just 10 minutes of prep, you’ll enjoy a rich, flavorful, and creamy pinto bean creation.
I appreciate a quick and straightforward bean recipe to complement my favorite Mexican-inspired dishes. This recipe for Crockpot Borracho Beans could easily be my top choice.
This is an exceptionally simple recipe that produces the most delicious and tasty beans. You might even find bean skeptics asking for a second serving!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Incredibly quick prep – It just takes 10 minutes to toss everything into a crockpot. After that, you can step away and return to a delightful, home-cooked side dish in a few hours.
- Elevated side dish – While I do enjoy a classic bean-based side, the combination of beer, broth, add-ins, and the long cooking time in this recipe really meld to create a mouth-watering flavor.
- Versatile – Serve it as a side with any of your favorite meals or incorporate it into other recipes to enhance their flavor.
What is Borracho?
Borracho beans are pinto beans cooked in beer and broth, enhanced with aromatic ingredients and spices. The term “borracho” translates to “drunk” or “intoxicated,” reflecting the beer used in the process.
Recipe Notes
This Crockpot Borracho Beans recipe is as straightforward as it sounds! Just a quick, 10-minute preparation for a family-friendly meal.
In this section, I’ll share a few tips and tricks for making the most delicious borracho beans possible.
Be sure to scroll to the bottom for the COMPLETE recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Pinto Beans – Use dried, uncooked beans as the base for this recipe.
- Aromatics – A mix of onion, jalapeño pepper, canned tomatoes with green chiles, and garlic adds a burst of flavor and texture.
- Liquid – Dark beer and chicken broth combine to impart a rich flavor and wonderfully creamy texture.
- Spices – A straightforward blend of dried oregano, black pepper, and cumin enhances the beans’ taste.
Don’t forget to check the recipe card at the end of this post for the complete quantities and ingredient list.
Recipe Variations
If you enjoy this recipe as much as we do and are looking for quick ways to mix it up for variety, here are a few tips:
will do the trick!
- Frijoles Borrachos with Ham – Enhance the flavor with a touch of extra saltiness by including some bacon or ham hocks in the crockpot alongside your other ingredients.
- Salsa Borracha Recipe – Elevate the spice level of your beans by replacing the canned tomato with your preferred jar of salsa.
Recipe Step by Step
Here, I’ll outline a few important steps in the recipe, but please be sure to refer to the recipe card below for detailed instructions on preparing these slow cooker Borracho Beans.
In the slow cooker, mix together beans, onion, jalapeño, garlic, and tomatoes.
Next, pour in the broth and beer, and then sprinkle in the oregano, black pepper, and cumin.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly, cover with a lid, and cook on high for 6-8 hours or until the beans reach the desired tenderness.
Add fresh cilantro and salt to taste, then serve and savor!
Tips for the Recipe
- Rinse the beans – Occasionally, dried beans can have some dirt or debris. Ensuring your beans are clean by rinsing them before cooking is a good practice.
- Begin with dried beans – Using dry beans produces the finest texture and flavor.
- Avoid overcooking – The beans need about 6-8 hours to become fully cooked, but it’s best not to exceed that time. Overcooking can lead to a mushy texture instead of a creamy consistency.
Recipe Shortcuts
If you’re in a hurry but still want to prepare this recipe, consider these tips to speed up the process!
- Soak the dried beans overnight – By soaking your dried beans in water overnight, you initiate the cooking process, which reduces the required cooking time in the crockpot.
- Prepare the beans ahead of time and store – Cooked Borracho Beans can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or stored in the freezer for as long as three months. You can prepare them in advance and reheat when needed!
Freezer Meal Instructions
Transforming this Crockpot Borracho Beans recipe into a freezer meal is easy! Just follow these simple steps to store your recipe safely in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to Freeze Borracho Beans After Cooking
- Allow the cooked beans to cool completely, then transfer them into a freezer-safe container.
- Store in the freezer for no longer than 3 months.
- To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm them on the stove until fully heated.
What to Serve with Crockpot Borracho Beans
This protein-rich dish brings the delightful flavors of Mexican cuisine, making it a great accompaniment to plenty of your favorite Mexican-inspired sides and mains.
Choose from one or multiple recipes below to create a balanced and delicious dinner. You’ll find a mix of traditional and healthier options to suit your meal.
Side Dish Ideas
- Mexican Chicken Street Tacos – Complete a street taco meal with beans on the side! Mexican Chicken Street Tacos are a family favorite packed with marinated chicken thighs and fresh salsa.
- Easy Baked Chicken Fajitas – These quick Baked Chicken Fajitas can be ready in just 15 minutes. Pair them with Borracho Beans for a satisfying meal.
- Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice – Rice and beans are a timeless combination, and this Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice makes a delightful and light companion to Borracho Beans.
Crockpot Borracho Beans Leftovers
Got leftovers from your cooking session? You’re in luck! They store and reheat wonderfully, providing great opportunities for another tasty dish.
To preserve leftovers, divide them into portion-sized servings and place them in an airtight container, storing them:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer for up to 3 months
Leftover Recipes
Here are several creative ideas to transform those leftovers into exciting new meals!
- 7 Layer Taco Casserole with Ground Beef – Substitute the refried beans in this Ground Beef Taco Casserole with 16 ounces of your Borracho Beans.
- Loaded Taco Dip – Enhance your Loaded Taco Dip by adding a generous amount of Borracho Beans to the mix. This dip is filled with ground beef, sour cream, taco seasoning, and all your preferred toppings.
- Easy Ground Beef Enchiladas – Bulk up a hearty pan of enchiladas with these leftover beans! This Ground Beef Enchilada recipe features soft corn tortillas stuffed with succulent ground beef and cheese, topped with enchilada sauce.
Recipe FAQs
What is the difference between Borracho Beans and Charro Beans?
Although Borracho Beans and Charro Beans are quite similar, the main distinction lies in one ingredient: beer! Borracho beans are cooked in a mixture of beer and broth, whereas charro beans typically simmer only in broth.
What is the best beer for Borracho Beans?
For a rich, flavorful result, it’s ideal to use your favorite dark beer. If dark beer isn’t available, lighter beers can be a substitute, but avoid sour beers!
Can kids eat Borracho Beans?
Yes! Even though the recipe includes beer, the alcohol cooks off during the cooking process, making them safe for children.
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Additional EASY Side Dish Recipes
If you liked this recipe, I truly hope you’ll take a moment to explore some more easy recipes for another hectic evening!
Feel free to browse all my simple side dish recipes here, or check out a selection of our readers’ beloved Mexican side dish recipes listed below.
Crockpot Borracho Beans
These Crockpot Borracho Beans are a simple and adaptable Mexican side dish that introduces a wealth of flavor to any dish! Just 10 minutes of preparation yields a rich, tasty, and creamy pinto bean meal.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8
hours 10 minutes
Servings
Instructions
- Rinse the pinto beans, removing any foreign particles.
Optional: Soaking the beans overnight is suggested, but not necessary. In the slow cooker, combine the pinto beans, onion, jalapeño, garlic, and tomatoes. Pour in the broth and beer, then add oregano, black pepper, and cumin. Stir well and cover with a lid.
Cook on high for 6-8 hours until the beans reach tenderness. When finished, mix in fresh cilantro and season with salt to preference.
Recipe Notes
Optional: For enhanced flavor, consider adding ham hocks or other meats while the beans are cooking.
Nutrition Information
Calories:
90
kcal
(5%)
,
Carbohydrates:
15
g
(5%)
,
Protein:
5
g
(10%)
,
Fat:
1
g
(2%)
,
Saturated Fat:
0.1
g
(1%)
,
Polyunsaturated Fat:
0.1
g
,
Monounsaturated Fat:
0.1
g
,
Cholesterol:
2
mg
(1%)
,
Sodium:
1025
mg
(45%)
,
Potassium:
325
mg (9%), Fiber: 4g (17%), Sugar: 2g (2%), Vitamin A: 184IU (4%), Vitamin C: 9mg (11%), Calcium: 53mg (5%), Iron: 2mg (11%)
