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Instant Pot

Black Beans with Bacon and Tequila

6 Servings

FAST: 1¼ hours
Slow: 7½ to 8½ hours 30 minutes active

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Borracho beans, or “drunken beans,” are beans cooked with flavorful alcohol, along with bacon or ham. Tequila complements the smokiness of the cured meat, while chipotle chilies add spice. But save your top-shelf tequila for sipping; any inexpensive tequila works well here (however, if you prefer, you can omit it entirely). Offer the beans as a side to any Tex-Mex or Mexican-style main, or use them as a filling in tacos and burritos. Or make a light meal by serving with rice, sour cream and salsa. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days; when reheating, thin with broth or water to the desired consistency.

6

Servings

Tip

Don't soak the black beans. In the Instant Pot, the unsoaked beans will be plump and tender after only 35 minutes of pressure cooking or after 7 to 8 hours of slow cooking. Soaked beans will end up overdone if cooked for the same amount of time.

FAST: 1¼ hours
Slow: 7½ to 8½ hours

30 minutes active

Ingredients

  • 6

    slices bacon, roughly chopped

  • 1

    large yellow onion, finely chopped

Directions

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Reviews
Mark V.
July 9, 2023
Question: cut in half?
Is it possible to cut this recipe in half? Will there be any timing issues or other problems cutting it exactly in half? Any help here is greatly appreciated, thanks!
Jim M.
July 8, 2023
Amazing beans!
Taste, texture, and appearance is outstanding! Used neither Instant Pot, nor Slow Cooker. Used saucepan.
Diane B.
June 24, 2023
Absolutely wonderful recipe
Beans are a bit spicy but not overly so. Everyone loved this recipe
Leandro T.
October 10, 2022
WOW!
WOW, this was amazing. I highly recommend a little more salt if using kosher and no sodium added broth. Also, increase the cooking time of the beans about 5 mins if using the fast method, and at least a 1/2 hr for the slow; I like the beans a bit more tender. It's not too spicy, and the tequila lends some depth. We served this at a friends who had smoked pork for 16hrs and one of the guests had the idea to combine the two, it was soooo good.
Leslie B.
February 23, 2024
Love this recipe
I make this for potlucks or as a side for Mexican food. Totally love this! I use the instapot and I like how quick I can make this.
Julie M.

Great flavor, but too spicy. Maybe cut back to two chipotles.

Jovanna K.

Very tasty! When we first tasted after cooking, we thought it was very spicy, but after resting and serving with rice we found it to be perfect.

Rob C.

Agreed that it is spicy, but we didn’t find it *too* spicy. But regardless, it’s very intense. Do not think this is a side dish. It is a headliner, friends. A HEADLINER.