Chipotle Pinto Beans

10m
Prep Time
2h
Cook Time
2h 10m
Ready In


"Spicy, flavorful beans. This dish is full of protein, and it's great to eat after a workout instead of something gross like a protein bar/shake. I keep a big bowl in the fridge throughout the week and eat some every day. These freeze well too, of course. (I did not include overnight soaking in the prep time)"

Original is 8-12 servings

Nutritional

  • Serving Size: 1 (433.2 g)
  • Calories 125.8
  • Total Fat - 3.6 g
  • Saturated Fat - 0.9 g
  • Cholesterol - 23.7 mg
  • Sodium - 403.6 mg
  • Total Carbohydrate - 13.7 g
  • Dietary Fiber - 4.1 g
  • Sugars - 7.2 g
  • Protein - 10.5 g
  • Calcium - 46.7 mg
  • Iron - 1.9 mg
  • Vitamin C - 107.1 mg
  • Thiamin - 0.1 mg

Step by Step Method

Step 1

In a dutch oven or heavy pot, cover the pinto beans with the 6 cups of water. Soak overnight in the fridge.

Step 2

The next day, add the rest of the ingredients to the pot (aside from the salt & pepper; you might not need it, and salt can make uncooked beans tough). NO, do not drain the beans. The soaking liquid is full of flavor and should not be wasted!

Step 3

Over high heat, bring the pot of beans to a boil, then lower the heat to very low and simmer for 2 hours. Stir every 15 minutes.

Step 4

Once beans are tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, add salt & pepper, if needed. You can add water during cooking as it evaporates from the pot, but I don't. I like these beans to be thick and not watery so they can easily be eaten in a burrito without much mess. These are also great just served over rice.

Tips


No special items needed.

Editorial Notes

The ingredient tips, suggestions, variations, facts, questions and answers below are not edits to the original author's recipe. They are not meant to imply any change would improve the recipe. They're offered for convenience, alternative ideas, and points of interest. If you have any comments about them, please post in the Help & Ideas forum.


  • Make sure to use Mexican oregano for the best flavor.
  • If using Spam, look for the reduced-sodium version for a healthier dish.

  • Instead of Spam, use smoked turkey leg or diced ham - This substitution will provide a more lean and healthier protein source for the dish. The smoky flavor of the turkey or ham will add a delicious depth of flavor to the beans.
  • Instead of canned tomatoes, use fresh tomatoes - Using fresh tomatoes will provide a more vibrant and flavorful dish. The sweetness of the fresh tomatoes will balance out the spicy flavors of the chipotle peppers.

Vegan Chipotle Pinto Beans Replace the Spam/ham hock/smoked turkey leg/diced ham with 1 can (15 ounce) of black beans, drained and rinsed. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pot before adding the remaining ingredients.


Vegan Chipotle Lentil Beans Replace the black beans with 1 cup of dried lentils, rinsed. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pot before adding the remaining ingredients.


Mexican Rice: Mexican Rice is a delicious side dish to accompany the Chipotle Pinto Beans. It is easy to make and adds a great flavor to the meal. It is a great way to add a bit of extra carbs to the meal, making it more filling and satisfying.


Guacamole: Guacamole is a classic Mexican side dish that pairs perfectly with the Chipotle Pinto Beans and Mexican Rice. It is easy to make and is full of flavor and healthy fats. The creamy texture of the guacamole adds a great contrast to the beans and rice. It is also a great way to add some extra nutrition to the meal.




FAQ

Q: How long should I cook the beans?

A: Simmer the beans on low heat for 2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes. You may need to add water during cooking as it evaporates from the pot.



Q: What temperature should I cook the beans?

A: The beans should be cooked on low heat, around 180-200 degrees Fahrenheit.

2 Reviews

dienia b

Nice thing to do when you make a pot of beans alot of flavor

5.0

review by:
(8 Oct 2019)

TeresaS

These beans are delicious! I served them over rice and plan to make burritos for lunch...there's just the two of us so I froze the rest...I used left over frozen ham from the holidays...this was a very easy dish to prepare...thanks for sharing the recipe...

5.0

review by:
(23 Jan 2018)

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Fun facts:

Chipotle peppers, which are featured in this recipe, are actually jalapeno peppers that have been smoked and dried. Chipotle peppers are native to Mexico and have been used in Mexican cooking since Aztec times.

Spam, another ingredient in this recipe, was famously mentioned in Monty Python's Flying Circus sketch, in which two customers at a cafe order multiple dishes with Spam in them. This sketch is often cited as one of the most famous comedy sketches of all time.