Love Chipotle's black beans? Make them at home with this easy copycat recipe, with your Instant Pot! Packed with smoky, zesty flavors and just the right amount of spices, these beans are perfect for burritos, bowls, tacos, or as a tasty side dish. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can enjoy these restaurant-style beans in no time.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
No soaking needed: With the help of the Instant Pot, you can ditch canned beans for fresh ones while keeping this recipe quick on time. You do not need to soak the dried beans, either!
Great for vegetarians: Black beans are an excellent source of protein making them a great main option for vegetarians. You can skip the meat altogether and still get the Chipotle experience.
Pantry staples: You do not need any fancy ingredients for this recipe. This is a great way to use ingredients in your pantry, especially when fresh food is running low.
Ingredient Notes
- Dried black beans: These may also be labeled as black turtle beans, Tampico beans, or Venezuelan beans.
- Chipotle & ancho chile powder: Chipotle and ancho chiles are dried smoked jalapenos and dried poblano peppers. The powdered versions of these peppers are easily accessible in most grocery stores and are great to keep on hand instead of whole fried peppers.
- Adobo seasoning: Adobo seasoning is a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, dried citrus, and other spices. Adobo powder is commonly used in Latin cooking and is readily available in most grocery stores.
A full list of ingredients with measurements is located on the recipe card, below.
Substitutions
- Dried black beans: You can use canned black beans instead of dried beans. You will need to drastically reduce the cooking time if using canned beans, since they come pre-cooked.
- Dried chile powder: Fresh chipotles in adobo can be used instead. Be sure to finely mince the fresh chipotle so that it mixed throughout the beans.
- Fresh lime: Bottled lime juice or a splash of red wine vinegar can be used instead.
Variations
- Stovetop: If you do not have an Instant Pot or will be using canned beans, these beans can be made on the stove. If using dried beans, you will want to pre-soak the beans for a few hours to cut down on cooking time.
- Fresh herbs: Finish the beans with fresh chopped cilantro or parsley to add brightness to the beans.
- Meat: Saute chopped bacon or smoked ham with the onions to add extra smokey, meaty flavor.
- Other aromatics: Jazz up these beans with other aromatics like bay leaf, cumin, or even sazon.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Work Before Cooking
Collecting all ingredients: This will make cooking so much easier. Gather all the spices you will need, and keep them nearby.
Rinse the beans: Rinse the dried beans in water to remove any dust or dirt.
Prep the onions and garlic: Finely chop the onion, and mince the garlic using a garlic press or a sharp knife.
Step 1
Heat the Instant Pot on the HI sauté setting. Add a tablespoon of oil, and sweat the onions until they are tender and slightly translucent. Once the onions are soft, add the minced garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes.
Step 2
Add the dried beans, water, and dry spices to the Instant Pot. Mix lightly to combine.
Step 3
Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and turn the valve to the sealing position. Pressure cook the beans on HI for 40 minutes, and natural release for 10 minutes. Quick release the remaining pressure after 10 minutes.
Step 4
Remove the lid, and finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Taste for salt, and adjust to your taste if needed.
Expert Tips
Using canned beans: You will only need to cook these beans for 10-15 minutes if using canned beans in the Instant Pot. I recommend making canned beans on the stove.
Cook with broth: For extra flavor, swap out the water for chicken or vegetable broth. Adjust the amount of salt you add if you use broth as most broths will be slightly salty.
Adjust the consistency: If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can lightly mash some of the cooked beans with the back of a spoon or potato masher.
Make Ahead & Storage
- You can make these black beans in advance of serving.
- Store cooked beans in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Reheat the beans on the stove with a splash of water or broth until heated. You can also heat the beans in the microwave with a splash of liquid.
- Freeze leftover beans in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
- Proteins: These beans are a delicious accompaniment to other proteins, like copycat Qdoba chicken, el pollo loco citrus chicken, Chipotle copycat carne asada, or even shredded chicken tinga.
- Salads and sides: To complete your meal, serve these copycat black beans with chile corn salsa, Mexican-inspired brussels sprouts, or Mexican pickled onions.
- Rice: Rice and beans are a classic pairing, whether you go for seasoned Mexican rice or classic white rice.
More Vegetarian Recipes
Chipotle Copycat Black Beans (Instant Pot)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups Black beans - dry, unsoaked
- 5 cups Water
- 1 Yellow onion - finely chopped
- 4 cloves Garlic - finely minced
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon Adobo seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon Ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon Chipotle chile powder
- ½ teaspoon Ancho chile powder
- 1 Lime - juiced
Instructions
- Heat the Instant Pot on the HI sauté setting.
- Add a tablespoon of oil, and sweat the onions until they are tender and slightly translucent. Once the onions are soft, add the minced garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes.1 Yellow onion, 4 cloves Garlic
- Add the dried beans, water, and dry spices to the Instant Pot. Mix lightly to combine.2 cups Black beans, 1 tablespoon Kosher salt, 1 tablespoon Adobo seasoning, 1 teaspoon Dried oregano, ½ teaspoon Ground cumin, ½ teaspoon Chipotle chile powder, ½ teaspoon Ancho chile powder, 5 cups Water
- Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and turn the valve to the sealing position. Pressure cook the beans on HI for 40 minutes, and natural release for 10 minutes. Quick release the remaining pressure after 10 minutes.
- Remove the lid, and finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Taste for salt, and adjust to your taste if needed.1 Lime
✱Recipe Notes
- Using canned beans: You will only need to cook these beans for 10-15 minutes if using canned beans in the Instant Pot. Canned beans are better suited for the stove.
- Cook with broth: For extra flavor, swap out the water for chicken or vegetable broth. Adjust the amount of salt you add if you use broth as most broths will be slightly salty.
- Adjust the consistency: If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can lightly mash some of the cooked beans with the back of a spoon or potato masher.
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