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–+ servings
Chipotle pinto beans in a white bowl.

Chipotle Pinto Beans (Copycat Recipe)

Keri Bevan
Chipotle pinto beans are popular for a reason! They're spicy, tangy, and addictively delicious. And now you can easily make them at home with this copycat recipe. Serve them with tostados and rice, or make yourself a vegan burrito. The options for using these smoky, tasty pinto beans are endless.
4.92 from 49 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 16 servings
Calories 123 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil *or rice bran oil
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 1½ teaspoons dried oregano *or Mexican oregano
  • 1½ teaspoons cumin
  • 3 cloves of garlic minced
  • 2 chipotle peppers from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, diced
  • 3 teaspoons adobo sauce from the chipotle peppers can
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 16 ounces dried pinto beans rinsed and soaked *see note 1
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • handful cilantro *optional

Instructions
 

  • Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Saute the onion until translucent, about 5-6 minutes.
  • Add the oregano, cumin, garlic, chipotle peppers and adobo sauce. Allow the spices to release their flavors for about 30 seconds, stirring continuously.
  • Add the pinto beans and bay leaves and enough water to cover the beans. Bring the water to a boil. Put the lid on the pan, and reduce the heat to a low simmer. Simmer the beans for 1½ hours.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and take out the bay leaves. Stir in the lime and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Garnish with optional cilantro.

Notes

  1. There's a few ways to soak dried beans. Here's the two methods you can use:
  • Overnight Soak: Put the pinto beans in a large, non-reactive bowl. Cover with at least 2 inches of water and soak for 8 hours to overnight. Drain and rinse the beans before using them.
  • Quick Soak Method: If you're running short on time, or you forgot to soak your pinto beans overnight you can use the quick soak method. Put the beans in a large pot, cover with at least 2 inches of water, and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and allow the beans to soak for an hour. Drain and rinse before carrying on with the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 123kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 6gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 310mgPotassium: 418mgFiber: 5gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 7IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 2mg
Keyword chipotle pinto beans
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