Chipotle Black Beans Recipe

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.

Jump to:

• What are Chipotle Style Black Beans?
• Why are Chipotle Black Beans are so great?
• Chipotle Black Beans Recipe Ingredients
• How to make Chipotle Black Beans
• What to serve with Chipotle Black Beans
• Substitutions
• Chipotle Black Beans Recipe Variations
• Equipment
• How to store Chipotle Black Beans
• Chipotle Black Beans Recipe Top tips
• Chipotle Black Beans Recipe
• Food safety

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

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.

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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.