Chipotle Black Beans (Copycat)

These Chipotle Black Beans Recipe contain black beans, olive oil, onion, garlic, chipotle, bay leaves, limes and cilantro. 

If you're a fan of Chipotle's famous black beans, you might be surprised to learn that it's easy to recreate this dish at home. Making Chipotle-style black beans is a simple and satisfying way to add a healthy and flavorful side dish to your meals. These hearty beans are packed with protein, fiber, and a delicious blend of spices, making them a nutritious addition to any diet.

These beans incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed as a side dish, in a burrito bowl, or as a topping for salads or tacos. In this blog post, we'll show you how to make Chipotle-style black beans at home with just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps.

If you love this recipe, feel free to try my Cream Cheese Poblano Peppers or my Stuffed Anaheim Peppers.

What are Chipotle Style Black Beans?

Chipotle-style black beans are a popular side dish that are often served at the fast-casual Mexican restaurant, Chipotle. These black beans are slow-cooked in a flavorful blend of spices, including cumin, chili powder, and garlic, and seasoned with a touch of tangy lime juice. The resulting dish is a hearty and satisfying side that is both nutritious and delicious. Chipotle-style black beans are a great source of plant-based protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, making them a healthy addition to any diet. They're also incredibly versatile and can be used as a side dish or as a topping for burritos, tacos, salads, or bowls. Whether you're a fan of Mexican cuisine or simply looking for a delicious and healthy side dish, Chipotle-style black beans are sure to hit the spot.

Why are Chipotle Black Beans are so great?

• Rich in nutrients: Black beans are a great source of protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, iron, and other essential nutrients. They're a perfect addition to any diet, especially for vegetarians and vegans.
• Easy to make: Making Chipotle-style black beans is easy and doesn't require any special skills or equipment. With just a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can make a delicious and healthy side dish.
• Versatile: Chipotle-style black beans can be served as a side dish, added to burritos or tacos, or used as a topping for salads or bowls. They're a great way to add flavor and nutrition to any meal.
• Budget-friendly: Black beans are an inexpensive source of nutrition, making them a great option for those on a budget.
• Delicious: The blend of spices used in Chipotle-style black beans, including cumin, chili powder, and garlic, gives them a rich, savory flavor that's hard to resist.
• Customizable: You can adjust the level of spiciness and the amount of seasoning in Chipotle-style black beans to suit your taste preferences.

Chipotle Black Beans Recipe Ingredients

You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

• Black beans
• Olive oil
• Yellow onion
• Garlic
• Chipotle in adobo sauce
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Orange juice
• Bay leaves
• Limes
• Cilantro

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make Chipotle Black Beans

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high. When the oil shimmers add the onion and cook until the onion is caramelized, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, chipotle, cumin and oregano and cook for 1 minute.

Add the orange juice, beans, bay leaves, ¼ cup of water and salt and pepper as needed. 

Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until all of the liquid evaporates. Turn off and remove from heat. Stir in the cilantro and add salt as needed. 

Serve with lime slices, cooked white rice, and/ or tostones!

What to serve with Chipotle Black Beans

• Rice: A classic pairing with black beans is rice, which provides a neutral base to complement the spicy flavors of the beans.
• Grilled or roasted vegetables: Grilled or roasted vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, and onions, add color, texture, and nutrition to the meal.
• Tacos or burritos: Use the black beans as a filling for tacos or burritos, along with your choice of protein, vegetables, and toppings.
• Salad: Top a bed of mixed greens with Chipotle-style black beans, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a squeeze of lime juice for a healthy and refreshing salad.
• Grilled or roasted chicken: Pair the black beans with grilled or roasted chicken for a protein-packed and satisfying meal.
• Quinoa or other grains: Serve the black beans over a bed of quinoa or other grains for a nutritious and filling meal.

Substitutions

• Black beans: You will need to have the black beans. You can pressure cook them yourself or just easy peasy buy them in a can. I prefer the latter, but the former will definitely taste the best. 
• Onion: This can be either a yellow or red onion. 
• Orange juice: This can be store bought orange juice, but for best tase, buy the orange and squeeze it yourself. 
• Lime wedges: for serving

Chipotle Black Beans Recipe Variations

• Smoky black beans: Add a touch of smoked paprika or chipotle powder for a smoky flavor.
• Sweet and spicy black beans: Add a tablespoon of brown sugar or maple syrup to balance out the heat of the spices.
• Black beans with corn: Add a cup of fresh or canned corn to the beans for a sweet and crunchy texture.
• Black beans with bacon: Fry some diced bacon until crispy and add it to the black beans for a savory and smoky flavor.
• Black beans with cilantro: Add a handful of chopped fresh cilantro to the black beans for a fresh and bright flavor.
• Vegan black beans: Omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth to make the dish vegan.

Check out these Pork Birria Tacos.

Equipment

• A large pot: You'll need a pot large enough to hold the beans, broth, and other ingredients.
• A cutting board and knife: You'll need a cutting board and a sharp knife to chop the onion and garlic.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: A wooden spoon or spatula is useful for stirring the beans as they cook.
• Measuring cups and spoons: You'll need measuring cups and spoons to measure out the ingredients.
• Can opener: If you're using canned black beans, you'll need a can opener to open the can.
• Blender (optional): If you prefer a smoother texture, you can use a blender to puree some or all of the beans.
• Stove or cooktop: You'll need a stove or cooktop to cook the beans.

How to store Chipotle Black Beans

1. Let the beans cool: Allow the beans to cool to room temperature before storing them. This will prevent moisture buildup and help the beans stay fresh longer.
2. Store in an airtight container: Transfer the beans to an airtight container, such as a plastic or glass container with a tight-fitting lid.
3. Refrigerate or freeze: Place the container of black beans in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
4. Reheat before serving: To reheat the black beans, you can microwave them or heat them up in a pot on the stove. Add a splash of water or broth to the beans if they appear dry.

Chipotle Black Beans Recipe Top tips

• Rinse and drain the beans: Rinse the canned beans thoroughly with water to remove any excess salt and starch. Drain them in a colander to remove excess water.
• Sauté the aromatics: Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until they're soft and translucent. This will help develop their flavor and enhance the taste of the beans.
• Don't overcook the beans: Cook the beans until they're tender but not mushy. Overcooking the beans can make them too soft and affect their texture.
• Adjust the seasoning: Taste the beans as they cook and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, chili powder, or other spices to suit your taste preferences.
• Add acid at the end: Add a splash of lime juice or vinegar to the beans at the end of cooking to brighten the flavor and balance out the sweetness.

Chipotle Black Beans Recipe

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• Author: Maxine Dubois
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Chipotle Black Beans Recipe are made with black beans, olive oil, onion, garlic, chipotle, bay leaves, limes and cilantro. 

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Ingredients

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• 1 can of black beans
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• ¼ yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 chipotle in adobo sauce, crushed
• ½ teaspoon of ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ cup of orange juice
• 2 bay leaves
• Lime juice, to taste
• Garnish:
• 1 tablespoon of chopped cilantro
• Lime wedges for serving
• Optional: serve with white rice

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Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high. When the oil shimmers add the onion and cook until the onion is caramelized, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, crushed chipotle, cumin and oregano and cook for 1 minute. Add the orange juice, beans, bay leaves, ¼ cup of water and salt and pepper as needed. 
2. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until all of the liquid evaporates. Turn off and remove from heat. Stir in the cilantro and add salt as needed. 
3. Serve with lime slices, tostones, and cooked white rice!

Notes

• Rinse and drain the beans: Rinse the canned beans thoroughly with water to remove any excess salt and starch. Drain them in a colander to remove excess water.
• Sauté the aromatics: Sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until they're soft and translucent. This will help develop their flavor and enhance the taste of the beans.
• Don't overcook the beans: Cook the beans until they're tender but not mushy. Overcooking the beans can make them too soft and affect their texture.
• Adjust the seasoning: Taste the beans as they cook and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, chili powder, or other spices to suit your taste preferences.
• Add acid at the end: Add a splash of lime juice or vinegar to the beans at the end of cooking to brighten the flavor and balance out the sweetness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Cooking
• Cuisine: Carribean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1
• Calories: 227
• Sodium: 2 mg
• Fat: 0.9 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 40.8 g
• Fiber: 15 g
• Protein: 15.2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.