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Tender and filling, these Borracho Beans, also known as Drunk Beans, are an easy to make Tex Mex side! Pinto beans are slow simmered in a flavorful broth made of bacon, onion, tomato, spices and beer! Serve these beans alongside your favorite tacos or with some fresh homemade flour tortillas.

Dutch oven filled with cooked borracho beans topped with cilantro and lime wedges.


 

All about these beans..

  • What are they? Borracho beans or Frijoles Barrachos translates to Drunken Beans or Drunk Beans. These beans are simmered in a dark mexican beer instead of just water or broth to help give flavor. 
  • Easy to make: starting from dried beans does take longer, but it’s hands off soaking and simmering time to ensure a flavorful broth. The steps are easy and the recipe comes together with pantry ingredients.
  • The perfect side dish: this is a great side dish option for all of your favorite Tex Mex and Mexican meals!

Ingredients:

Ingredients needed to make Borracho Beans laid out on the counter.
  • Pinto Beans: using dried beans gives a creamier, more flavorful finished dish. But it does take longer due to the soaking and cooking of the beans. If needed you can make this recipe using canned beans, instructions are detailed below.
  • Jalapeno: this can be substituted for any other green chile or pepper of choice.
  • Beer: use a dark lager, avoid using lighter sour beers.

How to Make Borracho Beans

  • Prepare your beans: if using dried beans, soak them overnight then drain. Add to a large pot or dutch oven and cover with water. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium allowing the beans to simmer for about 2 hours. They should be tender and cooked through. If using canned, then drain and rinse first before using.
Step by step how to make borracho beans, showing sauteing onions, jalapeno and garlic in bacon grease, then adding remaining ingredients to cook broth.
  • Step 1: Cook the bacon, then remove the bacon and saute the vegetables in the bacon grease.
  • Step 2: Make Broth, add beans and remaining ingredients to create a thick, flavorful broth while the beans continue to cook.
  • Step 3: Simmer, let the beans simmer another 20 minutes. Then add the bacon back in and add toppings.
Up close view of cooked borracho beans topped with diced cilantro and lime wedges.

Expert Tips:

  • You can change up the type of pepper you are using. I like to use Poblano peppers, you can also use jalapeño peppers, or even a Serrano pepper if you want a bit more heat. 
  • Add fresh diced tomatoes if desired. Let them simmer with the beans to soften. 
  • You can use any beer you prefer. A dark beer is going to give a deeper, more savory flavor to the beans. I typically grab a Shiner Bock or Negra Modelo. I would advise against using a lighter, sour beer.
  • If more liquid is desired, you can add more beer, water or some chicken broth to the pot while the beans cook. 
  • The beer is simmered, meaning the alcohol amount will be reduced not eliminated. The amount it reduces is determined by how long you allow it to simmer. Please use your own discretion in serving these beans. 

FAQ’s:

What is the difference between Borracho and Charro Beans

These are two very similar bean recipes, the main difference will be the addition of beer to the broth. 

Can I make Borracho beans with canned beans?

Yes you can, simply drain and rinse the beans and continue the recipe from step 4. 

Does the alcohol cook out of the broth?

Some of the alcohol will cook out, but not all of it. For further information here is an interesting article. Please use caution with this recipe if you are needing to avoid alochol. If needed you can make a pot of Charro Beans instead. 

Pot filled with cooked borracho beans topped with cilantro and lime wedges.

What to serve with these Borracho Beans:

These pinto beans are the perfect side for tacos and enchiladas! 

Borracho Beans (Frijoles Borrachos)

4.99 from 61 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 2 hours 25 minutes
Soaking Time: 8 hours
Total: 10 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Author: Serene
Borracho beans, or frijoles borrachos are flavorful, savory, and the perfect Tex Mex side dish! Pinto beans cooked up with bacon, onion and garlic all simmered in a dark beer broth for even more flavor. 
Dutch oven filled with cooked borracho beans topped with cilantro and lime wedges.

Ingredients  

  • 1 lb pinto beans notes below on using canned beans
  • 8 cups water
  • 2 bayleaves
  • 5 slices bacon uncooked
  • 1 jalapeno seeds & membranes removed, diced
  • ½ cup onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 12 ounces beer Shiner Bock or Negra Modelo
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 (14 ounce can) diced tomatoes

Toppings

  • ¼ cup Cilantro diced
  • lime juice

Instructions 

  • Soak Beans: Sort through the beans, then pour into a colander and rinse off. Add the beans to a large bowl and cover with water. Set aside to soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. After they have doubled in size, drain the excess water and rinse the beans off.
  • Cook Beans: Add the beans to a large pot or dutch oven and cover with water, about 8 cups, enough to cover by 2 inches. Add the bayleaves. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium allowing the beans to simmer for about 2 hours. Beans should be tender and cooked through.
  • Drain: Drain the beans, reserving about 1/3 a cup of the bean broth from cooking the beans, and set aside. Rinse out the pot and wipe dry.
  • Cook Bacon: Heat the large pot or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside. Drain the grease, reserving 1 tablespoon in the pot.
  • Cook veggies: Add the diced onion and jalapeno. Cook until the onion and jalapeno are soft and tender. Add in the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds. 
  • Make Broth: Add in the pinto beans, reserved broth, beer, diced tomatoes, oregano, cumin, chili powder and salt. 
  • Simmer: Bring to a simmer, let the beans simmer covered for about 15-20 minutes over medium heat. 
  • Add Bacon: stir in the bacon and diced cilantro before serving.

Video

Equipment

Notes

*Recipes containing alcohol are intended for those 21 years of age and older only. Please drink responsibly. 
  • Pinto Beans: recipe can be made using four 14 ounce cans of pinto beans. Skip soaking the beans and precooking the beans. Proceed to step 4 with cooking the bacon. 
  • Jalapeno: use any kind of Chile you would prefer, poblano will have a milder heat, Serrano would give more heat. 
  • Beer: use a dark beer, either a Shiner Bock or Negra Modelo. 
  • Omit the beer: If you don’t want to add alcohol, make charro beans instead.
  • Vegetarian/Vegan Borracho Beans: leave out the bacon and substitute with additional vegetables as desired: bell peppers, diced tomatoes, celery.
  • To make ahead: Prepare the dry pinto beans by soaking and cooking, then storing in a sealed container 2-3 days in advance. The completed recipe can be made 2-3 days in advance and stored in a sealed container in the fridge. Reheat on stovetop over low heat.
  • To freeze: Once the beans are cool store them in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 490mg | Potassium: 1027mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 73IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Recipe first published on September 20, 2019. Updated July 9, 2021 with new images and information. Recipe is unchanged.

Photography done by the talented @KJandCompany.co


Welcome to my kitchen!

Welcome to the House of Yumm!! My name is Serene. I’m the food photographer, recipe developer, and official taste tester around these parts.

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18 Comments

  1. The alcohol dissipates during cooking,. just like wine when added to a hot pan or deglazing when deglazing.

    1. “Some” of the alcohol will dissipate. There are many studies available online that show not all of it will. The fact that there could be some alcohol remaining in the dish when served is why there is a disclaimer.

  2. My cousin added slices of hotdogs and served it with a side of fresh handmade flour tortillas.