Chipotle Black Beans are great in a burrito bowl or as a side dish for taco night! They are soft beans that are cooked in a spicy sauce with garlic and onions.
How to Make Perfect Chipotle-Style Black Beans at Home
Craving those smoky, spicy black beans from your favorite Tex-Mex joint, but want to save money by making them yourself? With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can recreate the iconic Chipotle black beans recipe in your own kitchen
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll outline everything you need to know to cook chipotle black beans from scratch. You’ll learn how to:
- Select and prep the beans
- Make the flavorful cooking liquid
- Cook the beans to perfection
- Finish with smoky chipotle flavor
Follow the instructions below, and you’ll be enjoying southwest-inspired black beans worthy of any burrito bowl or taco night. ¡Olé!
Picking and Pre-Soaking the Beans
Great chipotle black beans start with choosing the right legume. Opt for dried black beans, as they have the best texture once cooked. Canned beans tend to get mushy.
You’ll also need to soak the dried beans before cooking. This helps them cook evenly and reduces gas-inducing compounds.
Here is a simple method for pre-soaking black beans:
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Pick over 1 pound dried black beans to remove any debris and damaged beans. Rinse.
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Place beans in a large bowl and cover with 2 inches of water.
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Let soak at room temperature for 8-12 hours.
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Drain the beans and give them a quick rinse before cooking.
Preparing the Aromatic Cooking Liquid
The cooking liquid is key for infusing the beans with Mexico-inspired flavor. Sauté aromatics and spices in oil first to create a flavor base.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño, ribs and seeds removed, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 bay leaf
Steps:
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Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté 5 minutes until translucent.
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Add garlic, jalapeño, and all spices. Sauté 1 minute more until fragrant.
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Add 8 cups water, 2 teaspoons salt, and soaked beans.
Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer.
Cooking the Beans Perfectly
Getting the right tender-yet-intact texture for black beans takes finesse. Follow these tips:
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Simmer beans uncovered at a gentle bubble for 1-1.5 hours. Avoid a rolling boil.
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Check beans at 45 mins; they should be starting to soften but still have a bite.
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Cook longer if needed, testing every 15 minutes until beans reach desired doneness.
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Add more water during cooking if liquid reduces too much. Beans should remain submerged.
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When done, beans should be creamy inside but not mushy. They’ll continue to soften as they cool.
Finishing with Smoky Chipotle Flavor
No chipotle black beans are complete without a smoky, spicy kick. Here are two easy ways to infuse them with chipotle flavor:
Adobo Sauce Method:
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Remove bay leaf from beans once tender.
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Stir in 1-2 tablespoons canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Start with less and add more to taste.
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Simmer 5 minutes more to blend flavors.
Smoked Paprika Method:
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Remove bay leaf from tender beans.
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Stir in 1-2 teaspoons smoked paprika to taste.
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Simmer 5 minutes more to develop flavor.
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Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
Serving Your Homemade Chipotle Black Beans
You did it—smoky, saucy black beans worthy of a Mexican restaurant!
Here are some delicious ways to enjoy your chipotle-inspired beans:
- Spoon into burritos, bowls, tacos, and other Mexican dishes
- Serve as a side with grilled chicken, steak, or fish
- Mash some beans and stir into quesadillas
- Top a salad with beans for a protein punch
- Puree into a southwest-style bean dip
Storing Leftover Beans
Have leftover black beans? Here are some storage tips:
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Let beans cool completely before storing.
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Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days.
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Freeze extra beans in portion sizes up to 6 months.
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Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to restore moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about whipping up tasty chipotle black beans? Here are answers to some common queries:
- Can I cook the beans in an Instant Pot or slow cooker?
Absolutely! Cook beans using the pressure cooking or slow cooking function until fork tender. Then simmer with chipotle seasoning as directed.
- Do I need to soak the beans overnight?
Soaking is highly recommended to aid even cooking and digestion. But you can “quick soak” beans by boiling for 2 minutes then letting sit for 1 hour before cooking.
- My beans aren’t getting tender. What should I do?
Older beans may take longer to hydrate and soften. Make sure to cook at least 1.5 hours, adding more water if liquid reduces too much. You can also simmer longer, testing every 30 minutes until beans are creamy.
- Can I freeze the cooked beans?
Yes! Let beans cool fully before transferring to freezer bags or containers. Thaw frozen beans overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.
Master the perfect chipotle black beans, and you’ll have a quick, budget-friendly recipe to spice up Tex-Mex night anytime. Adjust the smokiness and heat to suit your taste, and enjoy these flavorful beans in all your favorite dishes. ¡Buen provecho!
Chipotle Black Beans Copycat Recipe
We all know everyone either has a love or hate relationship with beans. It’s love at first sight for me! I adore all types of beans, but Chipotle Mexican Grill’s Mexican black beans are certainly my favorite.
You’re in for a treat if you like Chipotle’s famous burritos and bowls. My black beans taste even better than the restaurant’s, and you can make them at home for less money.
Not only are Chipotle black beans delicious, they are also a healthy side dish. A perfect way to sneak in some extra nutrients into your next burrito or burrito bowl!.
The beans are simmered in a flavor packed sauce with onions, garlic, lime juice and lots of spices. Even if you arent a fan of beans Im sure you will love these Mexican black beans.
What is in Chipotle Black Beans?
- Black Beans: I use canned beans from the store that have been rinsed and drained for this quick and easy recipe. You can also cook dry black beans the same way you normally do beans.
- Water—we add a little water to the drained and rinsed canned beans to make a sauce for them to bubble in.
- Oil – to sauté the onions, garlic and spices
- For the onion, you can use any kind you have on hand. I personally like using white onion.
- Garlic – everything is better with garlic.
- Lemon and lime juice: If you’ve ever wondered why Chipotles food tastes so strong and good with citrus, it’s because they use both lemon and lime juice.
- Spices
- Chili Powder
- Cayenne Pepper
- Cumin
- Smoked Paprika
- Bay Leaf
How to Make Chipotle Black Beans Copycat Recipe – Sweet and Savory Meals
FAQ
What brand of black beans does Chipotle use?
Does Chipotle cook their own beans?
How to cook Costco chipotle black bean burger?
Do black beans need to be soaked before cooking?
How do you cook black beans at Chipotle?
These Copycat Chipotle Black Beans will have you making burrito bowls at your house like a pro! They’re easy to make too – just adding a few ingredients will make these beans so much tastier than black beans on their own! Add in beans, salt, cumin and oregano. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
Black beans vs Pinto beans: Which is good?
Pinto and black beans stack up when it comes to nutrition per serving. Both offer a lot of protein and fiber in a package with similar number of calories. However, pinto beans contain a slightly more carbohydrates and higher fat content than black beans, attributed mainly to their starch content.
Are Chipotle black beans easy to make?
This copycat Chipotle black beans recipe is not only super delicious, but it’s also super easy to make. It combines black beans with an assortment of spices and fresh ingredients to make a flavorful side dish that the whole family is guaranteed to love. And, best of all, only 10 minutes of prep work is all that’s needed to make ’em!
What can you do with black beans at Chipotle?
Chipotle Black Beans are super versatile. You’ll never need to worry that they will go to waste, so go ahead and make a big batch. Besides the lunch and dinner ideas above, you can use black beans to make a variety of other recipes. Some ideas include black bean burgers, black bean hummus, Salsa with spicy black beans, Refried Beans and Bean Dip.