Authentic Charro Beans Recipe [+Video]

Discover the traditional flavors of Mexico with this authentic charro beans recipe. Made with slow-cooked pinto beans, bacon, and a blend of flavorful spices, this hearty dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

I’ve never eaten so many beans in all my life! Testing and developing this recipe has filled my freezer with more beans that my family will eat in our lifetime😂. But I had to figure out the best charro beans recipe!

I’ve tried them with chorizo, without, with ham, without ham, spicy, way too mild and bland. And finally I’ve come up with what I believe are the best charro beans with fantastic flavor and best of all, the perfect method. The bay leaves are essentially though I could never describe the flavor they lend to the beans. Without the bay leaves it was a flatter dish. I also tested dried beans vs canned beans and have a whole section below on what I found there.

What are Charro Beans?

Charro beans or frijoles charros (cowboy beans) are a savory Mexican side dish consisting of pinto beans slowly cooked with different meats (ham, chorizo and bacon) in a rich flavorful broth with peppers, onions and tomatoes.

Ingredients for Charro Beans

You have the option in this recipe to use dried or canned pinto beans. The recipe card lists all the ingredients for the dried beans version so there are a few more ingredients since you need to cook the dried beans before making the charro beans. Here is everything you will need:

• Dried Pinto Beans: see section below for using canned beans
• Yellow Onion: a white onion would work great too
• Garlic: adds flavor
• Bay Leaves: adds flavor
• Kosher Salt: adds flavor
• Dried Mexican Oregano: an absolute must! It can be found at most grocery stores – Walmart, Kroger, Harmon’s etc.
• Water: needed to soften and cook the beans

For the Charro Beans

• Meat: Bacon, Ham and Chorizo
• Yellow Onion: a white onion also works
• Jalapeño: adds flavor and little bit of heat
• Garlic: adds flavor
• Better Than Bouillon: adds flavor, can be substitute with water and a bouillon cube
• Roma Tomatoes: You could also used canned diced tomatoes if needed.
• Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce: You will find this in the Hispanic food section is in a can. Our favorite brand is La Costeña.
• Smoked Paprika: adds smoky rich flavor
• Ground Cumin: adds the signature Mexican food flavor
• Kosher Salt: adds flavor
• Fresh Cilantro: adds a pop of freshness that balances everything out

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card down below. Keep scrolling for all the details.

Dried vs Canned Beans

The most authentic recipes use dried beans, but I have to tell you, I prefer canned. The

The Best Cheesy Funeral Potato Casserole [+Video]

Funeral potato casserole is a creamy, cheesy comfort food packed with rich, savory flavors. Made with tender hash browns, melted cheese, sour cream, and a crunchy golden topping, it’s the perfect balance of smooth and crispy.

Perfect for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving or just a cozy Sunday dinner with the fam!

I grew up not knowing about “funeral potatoes,” but moving to Utah introduced me to this classic dish. It’s essentially a cheesy potato casserole or a hash brown casserole, and the funny name comes from its tradition as a side dish often served at funeral luncheons.

This comforting, popular dish is perfect for feeding a crowd, making it ideal for family gatherings, holiday dinners, or even as a main dish when paired with ham. While I’ve never actually had it at a funeral, I’ve enjoyed it countless times during the holidays, and it’s always a hit!

Why Do They Call It Funeral Potatoes?

You might wonder why these cheesy delights are called “funeral potatoes,” and let me tell you, it’s not as gloomy as it sounds! Everyone—seriously, everyone—has their own special recipe for this potluck superstar. While they’re known by different names all over the place, the tradition of serving them at funeral luncheons in Utah is what sticks. I was a bit skeptical at first, thinking, “How good can cheesy potatoes really be?” But after one bite, I was a total convert! The creamy, cheesy goodness combined with that crunchy topping is pure magic. Whether it’s a holiday dinner or a family gathering, these potatoes are always a hit and bring a comforting vibe to the table. So, let’s celebrate this quirky name and dig in!

Variations

Swap the Soup
For a deeper, earthier flavor, substitute cream of mushroom soup for the cream of chicken soup. It adds a subtle richness that pairs perfectly with the cheesy potatoes.

Change Up the Topping
Instead of the classic cornflake topping, sprinkle one of these delicious alternatives on top for a different texture and flavor:

• Ritz Crackers: Crushed Ritz Crackers add a buttery, golden crunch.
• Potato Chips: Crushed potato chips create a salty, crispy topping that complements the creamy casserole.
• Bread Crumbs: Use plain or seasoned bread crumbs for a lightly crisp topping.
• Extra Cheese: Skip the crunch and sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese over the casserole for an extra layer of gooey, cheesy goodness.

Ingredients Needed for Funeral Potato Casserole

Ok, I’m not going to lie about this dish, there is nothing healthy about it. Haha! That is probably why it is so dang good! It’s a dish you want to have on special occasions, but probably not multiple times a week. Here is your grocery list:

• Cream of Chicken Soup – You can use store-bought or make it from scratch yourself. Head to our Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole post for a from-scratch recipe. You

Green Beans and Potatoes in the Instant Pot [+Video]

This is a Southern recipe with an electric pressure cooker twist! These Green Beans and Potatoes in the Instant Pot are so flavorful and tender, and there’s bacon on top!

Easy Instant Pot Side Dish

You read that right — these green beans and potatoes are topped with BACON! It all starts by sautéing the bacon and ends by mixing the bacon into the dish. Bacon is just SO GOOD, and it really takes these soulful Instant Pot green beans and potatoes to the next level.

So basically, we are taking one delicious side dish, combining it with another delicious side dish, and adding bacon. You just can’t go wrong! Then it’s all cooked in just a few minutes in the Instant Pot! Winning!

Green Beans and Potatoes

Green beans and potatoes would make a great side dish for any holiday dinner you have coming up. And I’m telling you, that bacon just reels people in. It’s irresistible! It complements the green beans and potatoes perfectly.

These pressure cooker green beans and potatoes also could be made just for a simple weeknight meal. Our kids love this dish, and it’s a great way to get some vegetables in their bellies.

Instant Pot Green Beans and Potatoes Ingredients

To make Instant Pot green beans with bacon and potatoes, you’ll need the following: 

• Bacon
• Red Onion
• Fresh Garlic
• Potatoes
• Butter
• Green Beans
• Chicken Broth
• Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper
• Fresh Parsley

Which Green Beans Should I Buy?

There are a lot of different kinds of green beans. Not all green beans are created equal!  You want to buy haricot vert green beans. Pardon my French there! It is actually French for the long, slender green beans you can find in your produce section.

It is pronounced “heir covair,” not “harry cot vert.”  Although I like to say “harry cot vert” in my brain because it sounds so dang funny! Say “heir covair” in your best French accent and you’ll be impressing all your dinner guests!

Haricot vert are thinner than green beans native to the U.S.A. and are picked at an earlier point in their growth, making them more flavorful.  

Which Potatoes Should I Buy?

When all is said and done, really any potato would get the job done here, but Yukon Gold potatoes are our favorite for this dish.  They are smooth and soak in that yummy bacon flavor so well!  They also have a very light and flaky skin, which means you don’t have to peel them.  If you don’t have Yukon Gold in the house, here is our ranking of which potatoes to use:

1. Yukon Gold Potatoes — golden flesh inside, waxy, buttery flavor

Air Fryer Crispy Smashed Broccoli

Discover a simple and tasty way to cook broccoli using an air fryer. This recipe is perfect for busy individuals looking for a healthy and quick vegetable side dish. Those crispy edges are everything!

I have been on an air fryer recipes kick lately and one night I wanted to try something different with our veggies. So instead of roasting our broccoli, I tried cooking it in the air fryer. I loved that I got similar results to roasting it but in a fraction of the time. You can make this recipe from start to finish in less than 15 minutes!

Ingredients for Broccoli in the Air Fryer

First we will air fry the broccoli with a little oil and salt, and we will toss it in a delicious maple garlic sauce. Here are the items you will need to make this recipe:

• Broccoli Florets: cut into similar bite-sized pieces
• Olive Oil: helps the broccoli get crispy around the edges
• Salt: adds flavor
• Garlic: adds flavor
• Maple Syrup: adds a subtle natural sweetness
• Sesame Oil: adds flavor to the sauce we toss the roasted broccoli in at the end

The measurements for everything can be found in the recipe card down below.

Can I Use Frozen Broccoli?

Yes, frozen broccoli works great for this recipe. I would steam it until just heated through and then smash it as written in the instruction. Then proceed with the recipe as written to air fry it.

How to Make Air Fryer Broccoli

Here are the step-by-step directions for making this air fryer vegetable recipe:

1. Steam: We are going to parboil the broccoli first to get it nice and tender before sticking it in the air fryer. Place the broccoli in a steamer basket in a large sauce pan with boiling water. Cover the pan and let it steam until tender.
2. Flatten: Spread the steamed broccoli into a single layer on a cutting board or right in the air fryer basket and smash each one with the bottom of a sturdy drinking glass until it’s about 1/2 inch thick.
3. Toss: Put the smashed broccoli into a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil and salt and then toss to coat. Return them to the air fryer basket or baking sheets in a single layer (you may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer) and cook at 400 degrees F for 8 minutes. You’ll want the edges to just start to get charred.
4. Stir: In a small bowl, stir together the garlic, maple syrup and sesame oil and then drizzle it over the broccoli and toss to coat.
5. Serve: Serve immediately while it’s crispy and hot!

The instructions can also be found in the recipe card down below so keep scrolling for the complete recipe.

Watch This Video to See How It’s Done…

Smoky Fried Potatoes [+Video]

Learn how to make crispy and flavorful smoky fried potatoes with this easy recipe and step-by-step video tutorial. Perfect for a hearty and satisfying breakfast or a tasty side dish for any meal!

A while back, we did a series of Farm to Table posts with McCormick Gourmet Spices and it was so much fun for us to do as it’s how we live in our own home. It’s so fun to share our passion. This potato side dish recipe taps into my family history too, which is the reason I love cooking and food so much! It connects us!

Family History and Potatoes

These potatoes are really simple and all about using what you have on hand all winter versus buying expensive, out of season produce at the store. My grandpa served in World War II while my grandma held down things back home. Both were from Idaho and we all know what Idaho grows a lot of, potatoes!

Well they were clearly a staple that were kept in cellars to eat all winter long, but they have taken on a little more meaning for my family. Grandpa was honored for the work he did in the Czech Republic after he had passed and Grandma went and learned how to make these potatoes there. Little did we know, they are really just potatoes with seasoning, the salt being key, but Grandma said her secret was that if she called them Czech potatoes the kids all ate them, even the picky eaters. Sometimes you just need a fun name!

They are simple, fried potatoes with smoked paprika and salt and pepper, though occasionally we throw a little garlic powder in there as well. Now whenever we make them we think of them and our history. I’m going to share information below about how to be smart about produce just like my grandparents, so scroll to the end for all our tips!

Ingredients for Fried Potatoes

You only need a few household ingredients to make these home fries. Here is everything you will need:

• Vegetable Oil: cooks the potatoes so that they are crispy outside and soft inside
• Russet Potatoes: , chopped in 1″ pieces
• Smoked Paprika: adds the smoky flavor , or Hungarian paprika
• Salt: adds flavor
• Garlic Powder: adds flavor
• Black Pepper: adds flavor and a little heat
• Butter: adds extra flavor

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post. Keep scrolling for all the details.

How to Make Smoky Fried Potatoes

As you can see from the video, this crispy potatoes recipe is all made on the stove top and in one pan. It is so easy to pan fry potatoes! Here are the basic steps:

1. Prep: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat.
2. Toss: When the skillet is hot, add the oil. Once it is shimmering, add the potatoes and spices and toss everything together to coat.
3. Cook: Leave the potatoes alone and let them cook for about 10 minutes. Add a lid if desi