Ambush Beans

Prep: 120 min Cook: 150 min Serves: 6 Cuisine: Mexican

Ambush Beans is a hearty, smoky dish with tender beans, salt pork, chili, and jalapenos, perfect for comforting gatherings and those who enjoy bold, spicy flavors.

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Ingredients

  • 2 lb. pinto beans
  • 1/4 lb. John Morrell salt pork
  • 1 large onion
  • 3 large garlic cloves
  • 3 Tbsp. Santa Cruz chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 3 Tbsp. lard
  • 2 or 3 jalapeno peppers

Instructions

  1. Soak the pinto beans overnight or bring them to a boil and soak, covered, for one hour, using just enough water to cover the beans by about an inch.
  2. Cut the salt pork into 1/4-inch slabs and fry in a cold skillet with 3 tablespoons of lard over medium heat until golden brown and fat is rendered. Remove salt pork and set aside to cool.
  3. Brown the chopped onion and garlic in the rendered fat until very slightly browned.
  4. Pierce the jalapeno peppers and add them whole or chopped to the beans.
  5. Add the chili powder to the beans.
  6. Cut the cooked salt pork into small squares and add to the beans.
  7. Add the rendered fat and browned onions to the beans.
  8. Simmer the mixture until the beans are tender, about 2 to 3 hours, adding water as needed to keep the beans covered.
  9. When the beans are done, mash a small amount through a sieve to thicken the mixture to your desired consistency.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

501 kcal 25% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 9g 18% DV
Total Fat 38.7g 50% DV
Carbs 35g 13% DV
Fiber 5.2g 18% DV
Sugar 4.2g 8% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 378.3mg 16% DV
Potassium 592mg 13% DV
Cholesterol 23.8mg 8% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 23.5mcg 3% DV
Vitamin C 24.6mg 27% DV
Vitamin D 0.7mcg 3% DV
Calcium 260.3mg 20% DV
Iron 18.2mg 100% DV

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

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