5 from 345 votes
Chipotle Pinto Beans (Copycat)
This Chipotle-style pinto beans recipe features slow-simmered beans flavored with chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic, cumin, oregano, and fresh citrus juices. The result is tender, smoky beans seasoned with earthy herbs and a hint of heat. The long simmer allows the flavors to fully meld, creating a rich, hearty dish suitable for tacos, sides, or main dishes that benefit from their smoky depth.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 5 mins
Servings:
16
servings (1/2 cup each)
Calories:
113 kcal
Course:
Side Dish
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or rice bran oil (see note 1)
- 1 medium yellow onion minced
- 16 ounces pinto beans rinsed, sorted, and soaked overnight (see note 2, dried
- 2 chipotle peppers plus 2 teaspoons adobo sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1 teaspoon oregano see note 3, dried
- 1 bay leaf
- 6 cups water (enough to cover beans)
- lemon juice
- lime juice
- 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.
- Add beans, chipotle pepeprs and adobo sauce, garlic, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf. Add enough water to cover. 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
- Olive oil can substitute rice bran oil commonly used by Chipotle; both impart a neutral base fat.
- Soak dried beans overnight in water covering by 1 inch to soften and reduce cooking time.
- If short on time, use a quick soak: boil beans 2 minutes, then cover and soak 1 hour before cooking.
- Mexican oregano can be replaced with Italian oregano if unavailable; flavors differ but work well here.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months, thawed overnight.
Nutrition Information
Serving
0.5cup
Calories
113kcal
(6%)
Carbohydrates
19g
(6%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Sodium
9mg
(0%)
Potassium
407mg
(9%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
40mg
(4%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 16 servings (1/2 cup each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 113
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.5cup | |
| Calories | 113kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 19g | 6% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 9mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 407mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 40mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.