Santa Fe Bean Company Borracho Beans 9-Ounce Pouch (Pack of 8) Instant Borracho Beans; All Natural; High in Fiber; A Great Source of Protein; Fat Free; Reduced Sodium

I prepared these for the first time today. I was surprised to see that the instructions say to put 3 ½ cups water and 1 ½ cups beer (equals one can or bottle) in a 3 quart sauce pan, bring to a boil, then add the beans. You let them simmer on reduced heat, covered, for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Alternate suggestions are provided on the package if you don't want to use beer, including wine, other non-alcoholic brew, or just additional water. I recommend the beer.The only remaining thing to do is to add salt to taste, although not much is needed. I added none to the pot, but sprinkled some on my serving bowl.It was excellent. Nothing else, spice wise (as mentioned in other reviews) is necessary. Unlike some of the other packs which contain only the dehydrated beans and salt, the ingredients here are: Dehydrated Pinto Beans, Tomato, Jalapeno, Onion and Garlic, Spice, and Salt. Each package serves 8.One package of these Borracho Beans is included in the sample pack. I'm back today on Amazon to order the 8-pack of these. Yes, they're that good.Update 10/03/2012: I have started a new way to prepare these. I've browned about 2 lbs of ground beef (with some chopped onions and dusted liberally with chili powder), drained, then put it into a lock 'n lock container in the freezer. When I start a batch of Borracho Beans, I'll microwave the browned ground beef for no more than a minute -- to loosen it a bit -- and put about a quarter to a third in with the beans, beer, and water. Much faster than making chili, and very good! Freeze leftovers in single-serve containers, and I'm good to go.Serve with saltines and a cold beer - it doesn't get much better. (Did I mention I'm a bachelor?) ;-)Update 02/13/2013: I gave a bag to three different couples, and they all reported that, in their opinion, the dish was too hot (spice-wise). Those little Jalapeno bits were too much. Me? I like it hot, but if you aren't really into that, you might want to pass on these.

Wow, I just cannot understand these reviews. Are they paid? Are they from up north somewhere that they have a low tolerance for seasoning? I bought these hoping for a better alternative to canned borracho beans, which can be difficult to find. As with anything I make for the first time I followed the directions exactly. 25 minutes later... bleh! They were oddly seasoned and tasted nothing like the borracho beans we make here in Texas (or that I've had in New Mexico, which aren't much different). There was a bitterness to them like they were burnt, which they were not. Like any good pot of beans I put them in the refrigerator overnight hoping the flavor would improve. Nope. It took tons of seasoning, a little of this, a little of that, to try to make them palatable. Spicy? What spice are people referring to? There is NO spicy heat to these what so ever. Long story short, after a lot of effort, I finished the bowl and dumped the remainder in the trash. My biggest regret is the bottle of beer I wasted.Did I get a defective batch? Was there a recall and these were overlooked? I tried one of their other products and liked it but the borracho beans... never again.

I use this as my chili starter....I also use it for my Tortilla Soup. Everyone that tries both soups ask for the recipe so I simply give them a package. I think they are so easy to prepare, great additive to create all sorts of main and side dishes. Love the product.

I do a fare amount of hiking/camping. This is a great tasty product with low weight & high health calories. The downside is time to cook. I use a zip wood stove... for me burn time is not a problem. My best results are using half a package of beans with 2/3 cup of rice (white or brown). Bring about three and a half cups water to a boil. Add the rice/beans. After you cook it down to a good finish (texture), toss in a little olive oil and salt (you control the sodium). I can't stand all the high salt stuff that is on the market. This is an product worth trying. I am hooked.If you can't stand the heat and extra flavor, try the straight up pinto beans from the same company.Thanks,Alan... Philomena's husband.

MAIN REASON IS, I'M USED TO THE SOUTHWESTERN STYLE REFRIED BEANS, AND THE BORRACHO BEANS HAVE DIFFERENT TASTE AND TAKE LONGER TO COOK. NOW MY QUESTION IS? WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE THE SOUTHWESTERN REFRIED BEANS BACK ON INVENTORY? THANK YOU IF YOU CAN REPLAY.

I ordered this product because of the great reviews. I liked it so much I then ordered the black beans and borracho style beans. I like all three. It makes a nice big pot of beans and doesn't taste like tin. Plus, if you live in a small space (like I do) it doesn't take up as much space as cans so you can always have a good bean mix on hand.I've used this as directed on the pack as a dip but have also used it in a vegetable soup as a thickener. Works great!

These are amazing for dehydrated beans! I've tried multiple variations of canned Borracho beans and they don't measure up at all to these. Follow the directions and the only thing I'd tell you is to add salt to taste as they are pretty bland without it. Also, make sure you pour a beer in when cooking. Makes a huge difference!

I'm one of those people that do research and find the "best" of something. Everything I've had from the Sante Fe Bean Company is absolutely top notch. Just buy one single bag of any of their beans and you'll see how amazing they are.