My grandma was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and my mother was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, and the beans of choice in our household were always pinto beans (pictured above). We either had frijoles de la olla (“beans from the pot”), or refried beans—that was the extent of our bean variety. I didn’t even know other beans existed until I left El Paso and went to college. Beans are nature’s health food. They have an exceptionally high fiber content, and they’re a fine source of protein, as well as calcium, iron, folic acid and potassium. Every country seems to have their preferred variety of bean, and a traditional recipe to go with it. Here are 12 Latin American bean recipes for you to try this Hispanic Heritage Month—or all year round!
Best Latin American Bean Recipes
- Spicy Black Bean and Pepper Soup: It’s the perfect complete meal on a chilly night.
- Borracho Beans: Pinto beans cooked low and slow in a rich beer broth, studded with crisp bacon, tomatoes, jalapeños, and onions. A Tex-Mex must-have for any celebration.
- Garbanzo con Chorizo: Chickpeas with Spanish sausage.
- Lentil Soup: A comforting bowl of soup made with lentils and spinach.
- Frijoles Charros: Pinto beans garnished with onions, crushed chicharrón (pork cracklings), and cilantro.
- Cheesy Beef and Bean Enchiladas: A delicious and simple budget-friendly recipe.
- Lima Bean Puree: A favorite side for Peruvian stews or just to have with rice and a fried egg on top.
- Lima Bean Dulce de Leche: A sweet and silky indulgence used as a filling for cakes, rolls, or alfajores (soft cookies from Latin America).
- Creamy Black Bean Soup: A traditional Brazilian black bean stew that maintains the rich smoky, flavors famous in Brazil.
- Casamiento: “Casamiento” means “marriage” in Spanish, but in El Salvador it’s also the name of this bean and rice dish, which is often served with fried plantains and sweet cream.
- Lentil Salad Recipe: Lentil salad with roasted red peppers, sautéed spinach and olives.
- Spicy Cream of Garbanzo Soup: A silky savory soup with a burst of tomato and spicy chile.
