Borracho Pinto Beans with Beer and Bacon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-13 · Updated 2026-06-13

A rustic dish of pinto beans simmered with smoky bacon and beer, enriched with aromatic herbs for a rich flavor. This Mexican-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs dried pinto beans, rinsed, water, bacon strips, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried pinto beans, rinsed
• 5 cups water
• 6 ounces bacon strips, chopped
• 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 12 ounces lager beer
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• for serving fresh lime wedges

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot over medium heat, cook 6 ounces chopped bacon until crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving rendered fat in the pot.
2. Step 2: Add 1 cup chopped yellow onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 chopped jalapeño pepper to the bacon fat. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until onion is translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1 bay leaf. Cook for 1 minute to release aromas.
4. Step 4: Add 1 pound rinsed dried pinto beans, 5 cups water, and 12 ounces lager beer to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until beans are tender.
5. Step 5: Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir in reserved crispy bacon pieces.
6. Step 6: Remove bay leaf and serve beans hot with fresh lime wedges for squeezing over each serving.