Charro style Jacobs Cattle Beans
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Heirloom beans change the way you cook. The first time I worked with Jacob’s Cattle beans from Rancho Gordo, I knew they deserved more than a quick boil and a splash of seasoning. Their speckled skins hold their shape through a long simmer, while the interiors turn creamy and rich without falling apart. That texture alone sets the tone for this pot.
Charro beans are built on layers of flavor. Bacon brings smoke and depth. Chipotle in adobo adds a controlled heat with a little sweetness. Cumin and Mexican oregano round it out with warmth and earthiness. A measured spoonful of Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub introduces garlic, cracked pepper, and savory spice that ties everything together without overpowering the beans themselves.
These beans are the foundation. Everything else supports them. When you start with quality heirloom beans and build flavor deliberately, you end up with a pot that has structure, balance, and real character.
Charro Beans with Jacob’s Cattle Beans
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Side Dish
Cuisine
American
Author: Glenn Connaughton
Glenn Connaughton
Servings
8
Prep Time
8 hours
Cook Time
2 hours
Calories
320
Jacob’s Cattle beans are known for their creamy texture and ability to hold integrity during extended cooking. That makes them especially well suited for charro style preparations where time and layering matter. At altitude, simmering can stretch, and these beans respond beautifully to steady heat without breaking down.
Soaking them with Revolution Barbecue Bird Brine seasons the beans internally before they ever reach the pot. That step ensures flavor is present throughout, not just in the broth. As the bacon renders and aromatics develop, the addition of Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub reinforces the savory foundation with garlic, pepper, and balanced spice.
Chipotle and adobo provide smoke and warmth, while avocado leaves contribute subtle herbal depth. As the beans cook, they release starch that naturally thickens the cooking liquid and concentrates the flavor. The result is a structured, hearty pot of charro beans that honors the ingredient first and builds outward from there.
Ingredients
For The Bean Soak
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8 cups water
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1 pound Jacob’s Cattle beans
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2 tablespoons Revolution Barbecue Bird Brine
For The Charro Beans
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4 slices thick cut bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
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1/2 white onion, diced
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6 garlic cloves, minced
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1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, diced
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1 tablespoon adobo sauce
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3 dried avocado leaves or 3 bay leaves
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1 teaspoon cumin
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1/2 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
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1 teaspoon Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub
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3 cups chicken stock
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3 cups of water, as needed to cover the beans by 2 inches
For Serving
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1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
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2 Roma tomatoes, diced
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1/2 white onion, diced
Directions
- Soak The Beans: Combine 8 cups water, 1 pound Jacob’s Cattle beans, and 2 tablespoons Revolution Barbecue Bird Brine in a large bowl and soak for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and discard the soaking liquid before cooking.
- Render The Bacon: Place the bacon pieces in a Dutch oven over medium high heat and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the fat renders and the edges begin to brown.
- Build The Aromatics: Add the diced white onion and minced garlic and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Bloom The Spice Layer: Stir in the diced chipotle pepper, 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, 3 dried avocado leaves or bay leaves, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano, and 1 teaspoon Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub. Cook for 1 minute to release their aroma.
Simmer The Beans: Add the drained beans and 3 cups chicken stock, then add enough water to cover the beans by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes, then reduce to a steady simmer and cook for about 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until the beans are creamy in the center while still holding their shape. Add additional water only if needed to maintain that 2 inch coverage during cooking.
- Finish And Serve: Remove the avocado or bay leaves and simmer uncovered for an additional 10 minutes if a thicker consistency is desired. Top with 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, diced Roma tomatoes, and diced white onion before serving.
Recipe Note
Charro Style Jacob’s Cattle Beans start with an ingredient that carries real heritage. The Jacob’s Cattle beans used here come from Rancho Gordo, a company known for preserving and celebrating heirloom bean varieties with character and integrity. Their creamy texture and sturdy structure are exactly what this style of cooking demands. When you begin with beans like these, you are already halfway to something special.
Layering that foundation with Revolution Barbecue Bird Brine and Revolution Barbecue Texas Beef BBQ Rub builds depth without distracting from the ingredient itself. It is deliberate, flavor-forward cooking rooted in craftsmanship and respect for quality sourcing.
If you want to bring that same bold balance into your own kitchen, explore our handcrafted blends at Revolution Barbecue.
When flavor matters, make it Revolution Barbecue.
Discover more Colorado-inspired recipes at Revolution Barbecue Recipes. Learn more about the
philosophy behind The New Smoke of the West and how fire, altitude, and independence define Colorado barbecue.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, and should only be used as an approximation
Serving Size
1 serving (300 grams)
Calories 320,
Fat
12 grams,
Polyunsaturated Fat
2 milligrams,
Monounsaturated Fat
4 milligrams,
Carbs
38 grams,
Protein
16 grams,
Potassium
720 milligrams,
Fiber
11 grams,
Sodium
680 milligrams,
Sugar
3 grams,
Iron
4 milligrams