Frijoles Colorados - Red Beans
Creamy, flavorful red beans simmered with ham hock, beef, and aromatic spices, perfect for comforting dinners and hearty gatherings, with rich savory notes and balanced seasonings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Soak beans overnight covered in water, or bring beans to a boil, boil for 5 minutes, cover and turn off heat, then let sit for 1 hour.
- Ensure beans are covered by two fingers of water and cook on simmer with meat until tender.
- In a small frying pan, sauté onion, green pepper, and garlic in olive oil with bay leaf.
- Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add can of tomato sauce and remaining ingredients such as oregano, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Stir to mix well and add to the beans.
- Continue cooking until the seasoning is well absorbed and beans are soft.
- If using chorizo, add it whole to the sauce before adding to the beans.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider adding smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne pepper. If you don't have beef short rib, any cut of beef like brisket can work. You can also substitute the ham hock with smoked turkey for a lighter option. Always soak beans overnight to reduce cooking time, but if short on time, the quick soak method is effective.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Frijoles Colorados with warm tortillas or over rice for a hearty meal. It pairs beautifully with Steak Creole for a flavorful dinner. Garnish with fresh cilantro or diced avocado for added freshness. A side of cornbread or a simple green salad complements this dish nicely.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, add a splash of water to prevent drying out, and warm gently on the stove or in the microwave. This dish also freezes well; just ensure it's cooled completely before freezing.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Frijoles Colorados - Red Beans contains roughly 181 calories, with 6g protein, 26g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (46% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (34% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1365mg per serving (59% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned beans instead of dried?
Yes, you can use canned red beans for a quicker preparation. Drain and rinse the beans before adding them to the pot. Reduce the cooking time significantly, as canned beans are already cooked; just simmer until heated through.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable broth instead of water for cooking the beans. You can add extra vegetables like carrots and zucchini for added flavor and texture.
What if I don't have chorizo?
If chorizo is unavailable, consider using another type of sausage or simply omit it for a lighter dish. You can enhance the flavor by adding extra spices like cumin or smoked paprika.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).