Growing up, I developed a deep affection for Chipotle’s food. Their streamlined menu offers the freedom to customize dishes to our liking, so I fostered a love for Mexican food early on.
Among their offerings, their Pinto Beans stood out as a personal favorite, igniting my passion for the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine. Hence, I asked Chef Jasbir to recreate its magic in our kitchen, and he perfected this recipe to replicate what you’d find at Chipotle.
Therefore, I am super excited to share the copycat recipe for Chipotle Pinto Beans copycat recipe with you. If you haven’t heard of pinto beans before, here’s what you need to know about them.
The beans got the name “Pinto” from the Spanish word for paint because of their brown, streaky color when raw. But once cooked, they turn reddish, making them look similar to kidney beans. Moreover, they have a delectable, savory taste.
So try out this truly satisfying Chipotle recipe. Whether you’re a Chipotle fan or simply looking for the best pinto beans recipe, these beans will surely become a staple in your kitchen.
Equipment Required
- Dutch Oven: I use a Dutch oven to cook the beans. However, you can also use a slow cooker or any deep pot.
- Knife: Using a sharp knife helps in getting the chopping done effortlessly.
- Chopping Board: I use a chopping board to fine-chop the onions and garlic.
- A Large Bowl: I use a large bowl to soak the beans as they expand a few hours after being soaked in water.
- Small Cups: I use small cups to assemble my ingredients before starting the recipe.
- Teaspoons: Teaspoons come in handy for me while adding powdered spices to the recipe.
Chipotle’s Pinto Beans Ingredients and Substitutions
Chipotle’s Pinto Beans Ingredients and SubstitutionsNote: The ingredients of this recipe will help you make 16 servings (½ cup each).
- 16 ounces Overnight Soaked Dried Pinto Beans: When I don’t have pinto beans, I usually substitute black-eyed peas in this recipe, which still tastes fantastic. However, you can also substitute adzuki or cannellini beans in this recipe.
- 1 tbsp Rice Bran Oil: Chipotle uses rice bran oil to make this recipe, but we can also use olive oil instead as it is readily available in the kitchen.
- 1 tsp Mexican Oregano: You can also substitute Italian oregano or marjoram.
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion Minced: I’ve also tried this recipe with shallots instead of onions, which turned out delicious!
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 2 Chipotle Peppers + 2 spoons of Adobo Sauce: Instead of fresh, this recipe calls for chipotle peppers soaked in abodo sauce. Although, smoked paprika can be used as a substitute. It has a milder flavor but can be mixed along with cayenne pepper to get the exact taste.
- 1 Bay leaf
- Salt to taste
- Freshly Ground Cumin Powder
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Lemon juice
- Water
- Lime Juice
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Minutes | 2 Hours | 2 Hours 5 Minutes |
How To Make Chipotle’s Pinto Beans
Step 1
Heat oil in a Dutch Oven or a large pot over high-medium heat and add chopped garlic and onion.
Step 2
Saute the onion and garlic for sometime and then, add Chipotle and adobo sauce.
Step 3
Then add cumin and oregano.
Step 4
Once the onions are caramelised, add the pinto beans.
Step 5
Add Bayleaf to the bean mixture.
Step 6
Then add water to beans.
Step 7
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the water starts bubbling, reduce the heat and cook for about 1½ or 2 hrs until the beans become tender.
Step 8
You can remove the chipotle chilies and bay leaf if desired. Add lime juice and lemon juice and season with salt to taste.
Step 9
Your Chipotle Pinto Beans are ready.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- If you are wondering whether you need to soak your pinto beans overnight, the answer is yes. If you don’t, your pinto beans will taste different.
- Always use fresh aromatics and spices, as they determine the taste of your pinto beans. Old, stale spices will make the beans taste less good.
- I always suggest using fresh beans, but if you are using store-bought beans, make sure that you throw away the liquid from the jar before using it.
- When I make pinto beans, ‘slow and low’ is my motto. Cooking Pinto beans at high heat can prevent them from fully absorbing the flavors.
- I also recommend squeezing lime juice in the end. Lime juice makes everything better, so you cannot go wrong with it.
FAQs About Chipotle’s Pinto Beans Recipe
Nutritional Information
I love making Chipotle pinto beans, as they are rich in protein and fiber and have many health benefits. The only issue is that they are harder to digest. Therefore, eating them occasionally in moderate quantities is advisable, especially for those with digestive issues.
For your reference, I have also added the nutritional information of the recipe below:
| Calories | 118 kcal |
| Total Fat | 2 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.4 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 19 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 5 g |
| Total Sugars | 1 g |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Calcium | 51 mg |
Pinto beans are highly nutritious and can be consumed by people on a vegan diet, keto diet, dairy-free diet, gluten-free diet, and low fat diet.
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
As I mentioned earlier, pinto beans are suitable for various diets. However, this recipe is high in sodium content. Therefore, to make it suitable for a low-sodium diet you can use Himalayan pink salt or Kosher salt in the recipe.
Storing And Reheating This Recipe
Storing
- Refrigerator: I usually use an airtight container to store my leftovers for this recipe, as it helps retain the freshness of flavors. This way, the beans stay in good condition for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Sometimes, when I want to preserve the beans for a longer time, I prefer freezing them. The good news is that this dish can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. I usually label the container to keep track of the date.
Reheating
- Stovetop: You can directly take the refrigerated beans and then empty the contents in a saucepan. However, if you wish to reheat frozen pinto beans, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Then, heat the beans over low to medium heat until hot. I stir the beans continuously to prevent them from sticking to the bottom. However, you need to thaw the frozen beans before reheating them.
- Microwave: I prefer reheating cooked beans in the microwave as it is easier. Therefore, I use a microwave-safe dish, cover the beans with a lid, and heat them on high heat at 1-minute intervals, stirring them in between.
What To Serve With This Recipe
At Chipotle, Pinto Beans are usually served with cilantro lime rice. I love that combination, too. But I also enjoy pinto beans on their own. Apart from that, I love to use them as burritos, tostadas, and taco filling.
Another combination I enjoy is having them with scrambled eggs or plain rice. It goes well with almost everything.
Printable Version
Chipotle Pinto Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces Overnight Soaked Dried Pinto Beans
- 1 Tablespoons Rice Bran Oil
- 1 Teaspoon Mexican Oregano
- 1 Medium Yellow Onion Minced
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 2 Chipotle Peppers + 2 spoons of Adobo Sauce
- 1 Bay leaf
- Salt (to taste)
- 1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Cumin Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon juice
- 6 Cups Water
- 1 tsp Lime Juice
Equipment
- Large Bowl
- Spatula
- Dutch Oven or Pot
- Chopping Board
- Knife
- Small Cups
- Teaspoons
Instructions
- Heat oil in a Dutch Oven or a large pot over high-medium heat and add chopped garlic and onion.
- Saute the onion and garlic for sometime and then, add Chipotle and adobo sauce.
- Then add cumin powder and oregano.
- Once the onions are caramelised, add the pinto beans.
- Add Bayleaf to the bean mixture.
- Then add water to pinto beans.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the water starts bubbling, reduce the heat and cook for about 1½ or 2 hrs until the beans become tender.
- You can remove the chipotle chilies and bay leaf if desired. Add lime juice and lemon juice. season with salt to taste.
- Your Chipotle Pinto Beans are ready.
Nutrition
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Conclusion
This Chipotle pinto beans copycat recipe is guaranteed to become a family favorite, leaving everyone impressed with its authentic flavors. Recreate the magic of dining out at home and share the delight with your loved ones.
Follow the recipe closely to ensure it tastes just like the original Chipotle version, and be prepared for excellent reviews from family and guests alike. Also, remember to share your experience after trying out this recipe in the comment section below. Enjoy the satisfaction of a delicious meal made with love and authenticity, bringing the flavors of Chipotle right to your dinner table.
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