5 from 462 votes
Chipotle Black Beans (Copycat)
This Chipotle Black Beans recipe features slow-simmered dried black beans enriched with chipotle chilies, smoky adobo sauce, and traditional Mexican herbs like cumin and oregano. The beans develop a tender texture and layered smoky heat through long cooking, with fresh lemon and lime juice added at the end to brighten the flavor. Ideal for adding depth to Mexican-inspired dishes, they can serve as a hearty side or component in bowls and tacos.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
16
servings (1/2 cup each)
Calories:
123 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or rice bran oil (see note 1)
- 2 medium onion chopped, yellow
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 pound black beans rinsed, sorted, and soaked overnight (see note 2, dried
- 2 chipotle chilies plus 2 teaspoons adobo sauce
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1 teaspoon oregano see note 3, dried
- 2 bay leaf
- 6 cups water (enough to cover beans)
- lemon juice to taste
- lime juice to taste
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- In a Dutch oven or large pot over medium high heat, heat oil until shimmering. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add beans, chipotle peppers and adobo sauce, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf. Add enough water to cover and stir to combine. Bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until beans are tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
- Remove from heat. Remove chipotle chilies if desired and bay leaf. Stir in lemon and lime juices, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Rice bran oil can be used instead of olive oil to more closely match the original Chipotle recipe.
- Soak dried black beans overnight to reduce cooking time and improve texture; a quick-soak method is also described.
- Mexican oregano is preferred but Italian oregano is a suitable substitute if unavailable.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze portions for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Serving
0.5cup
Calories
123kcal
(6%)
Carbohydrates
20g
(7%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
2g
(3%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Sodium
8mg
(0%)
Potassium
447mg
(10%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
5IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
46mg
(5%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16 servings (1/2 cup each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 123
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.5cup | |
| Calories | 123kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 20g | 7% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 8mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 447mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 5IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 46mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.