Mexican chili beans

Mexican chili beans are a traditional and versatile dish in Mexican cuisine that combines beans, usually black or pinto, with a spicy sauce made from typical Mexican chilies, such as ancho, guajillo, or chipotle. This ingredient can be served as a thick stew, ideal for accompanying main dishes, or as a filling or topping for tacos, burritos, and other snacks.

The origin of chili beans lies in ancestral Mexican gastronomy, where beans have been a staple food for thousands of years. The addition of chilies not only provides that characteristic spicy and smoky flavor but also enhances the dish's nutritional value.

In terms of their properties, beans are an excellent source of vegetable protein, dietary fiber, iron, and B vitamins. Chilies, on the other hand, provide capsaicin, a compound with antioxidant effects and properties that may boost metabolism and blood circulation. This combination makes Mexican chili beans a nutritious, filling, and flavorful ingredient.

In different Latin American countries, chili beans may be known by various synonyms, although the exact combination with Mexican chilies usually retains the same name or similar variations, such as:

• Spicy beans
• Beans with chili sauce
• Porotos con ají (in South American countries like Chile and Argentina, where "porotos" means beans and "ají" refers to chilies)
• Habichuelas con chile (in the Caribbean, where "habichuelas" means beans)

This ingredient is ideal for those seeking an authentic Mexican flavor, with a spicy kick that enhances any recipe, from stews and soups to vegetarian dishes and side servings.