History
Tepary beans (Phaseolus acutifolius) are native to the Sonoran Desert and have been cultivated by the Tohono O'odham for over 4,000 years. The drought-resistant variety thrives in 100F-plus heat and minimal water, making it one of the most resilient food crops on Earth. White teparies and brown teparies survived modern agricultural marginalization through Native Seeds/SEARCH, the heirloom seed bank founded in Tucson in 1983. Mission Garden grows tepary beans every season, and modern Tucson kitchens like Mission Garden cooking demos and BOCA Tacos use them in tacos and refritos.
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Tours, tastings and classes from the cities on this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 450g dried white or brown tepary beans
- 1 medium white onion, halved
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh cilantro and lime wedges to serve
Method
- Rinse the tepary beans and soak in cold water overnight, at least 12 hours.
- Drain the beans. Place in a heavy pot with the onion halves, garlic, bay leaf and 2 liters of fresh water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered 2 to 3 hours, until the beans are tender but still hold shape. Add water as needed.
- When the beans are tender, add salt and cumin. Simmer 15 more minutes.
- Discard the bay leaf and onion halves. Stir in olive oil.
- Serve warm in bowls with chopped cilantro and lime wedges, or mash into refritos.
Tip from the editors. Teparies take longer than pinto beans. Don't add salt early; it tightens the skins. Native Seeds is the canonical source for true heirloom teparies.
Where to eat tepary beans
Tepary beans in Tucson
BOCA Tacos y Tequila ★ 4.6
BOCA on North 4th Avenue in Tucson runs weekend Sonoran brunch from Maria Mazon's Top Chef finalist kitchen, with brunch tacos and tequila pours.
OrderBrunch tacos and the salsa flight
More places near BOCA Tacos y Tequila
Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.
- Time Market Italian, about 350 m away
- Time Market Bakery Bakery, about 350 m away
- Exo Roast Co. Café, about 350 m away
- Tap and Bottle Downtown Late New American, about 350 m away
- La Indita Mexican, about 600 m away
- Reilly Craft Pizza and Drink Italian, about 700 m away
More cities are in research. Want tepary beans covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.