Chipotle Pinto Beans (Copycat Recipe)

This copycat recipe for the iconic Chipotle Pinto Beans will convince you to skip the line and make your favorite Chipotle order at home!

If you know me at all, you know how much I love Chipotle. I mean, I’m seriously obsessed. I used to order Chipotle multiple times a week, and even now, I’m frequently racking up rewards points on the app. As far as eating fast food goes, Chipotle is a healthier choice than most other places. Plus, the menu options are simple, customizable (a big plus for a picky eater like myself!), and full of flavor. 

But eating out frequently is not good for your health or your wallet. So, this year, I’ve made it a goal of mine to find budget-friendly, healthier alternatives to some of my favorite Chipotle menu items. You may have already tried my copycat recipe for Chipotle’s Corn Salsa, which is how this whole thing got started. Now, in an effort to fully recreate my go-to burrito bowl order, I’m working on recreating another fan favorite.

These beans are one of the staple items of the restaurant and serve as a base for delicious entrees like burritos, bowls, and tacos. If you ask me, the big appeal is that these are some of the only pinto beans I’ve ever had that are PACKED with flavor! As delicious as they are, though, there’s just something that Chipotle does differently. And I think I may have finally figured it out!

These copycat Chipotle pinto beans are spicy, tangy, and salty in all the best ways. Made with real chipotle peppers and adobo sauce for rich heat, plus fresh cilantro, onion, garlic, and other herbs, I truly believe I’ve nailed the signature flavor we all crave so much. But don’t take my word for it; try this recipe for yourself!

Are these Chipotle Pinto Beans Healthy?

This at-home version of Chipotle pinto beans is a healthy, inexpensive, and delicious dish. Pinto beans are a good source of protein, which makes them a great substitute for meat in dishes if you’re pursuing a vegan or vegetarian diet. They’re also full of fiber and can help with digestion. Hence the song: Beans, beans, the magical fruit, the more you eat, the more you… well, you know how it goes!

This recipe uses olive oil for healthy fat and lots of herbs, and spices to flavor the dish without adding too many calories or other unwanted additives. 

What Is Adobo?

The signature flavor in Chipotle pinto beans, like many other Chipotle dishes, is the use of adobo. “Adobo” can refer to a lot of different things—it’s a sauce, spice, cooking technique, and even a dish! Here, we’re talking about adobo sauce, which is a rich red sauce made of chilies, vinegar, onion, garlic, and other spices. Adobo is what gives these Chipotle pinto beans their heat, and we’re using it two ways. We’re incorporating the sauce directly into the dish, but we’re also using chipotle peppers, which are soaked and canned in adobo sauce. This sauce has a smoky spice, a subtle sweetness, and an overall herbaceous flavor. Trust me, you’ll taste it in this dish!

INGREDIENTS

1 lb dried pinto beans, rinsed and soaked overnight

1/2 large yellow onion, finely diced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced with seeds removed

1 tablespoon adobo sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1 1/4 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano

2 bay leaves

Water for covering beans

1 tablespoon lime juice, plus more to taste

Kosher salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Fresh chopped cilantro for garnish, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

Sauté

Cook onions in oil.

Simmer

Add beans and spices, then simmer until tender.

Season

Finish with lime juice and seasoning.

Devour!

Serving Suggestions

These Chipotle pinto beans make for an excellent base for your own copycat Chipotle order. Try them with other replica recipes like Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice, Fajita Veggies, cheese, sour cream, and your choice of protein. Don’t forget the Chipotle Guacamole—this one won’t cost you extra! 

Chipotle pinto beans also make a great side to more traditional Latin dishes like Spanish Rice and Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas.

Recipe

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