Easy Copycat Chipotle Pinto Beans Recipe

These copycat Chipotle pinto beans are soft, creamy, and packed with smoky, savory flavor—just like the ones you get in a burrito bowl at the restaurant. Made with dried pinto beans, chipotle peppers, garlic, spices, and a splash of lime juice, this easy one-pot recipe brings authentic flavor to your kitchen. Whether you serve them as a side dish or load them into homemade burritos, these beans are budget-friendly, meal-prep ready, and absolutely delicious.

Chipotle Pinto Beans Recipe That Tastes Like The Restaurant

If you love Chipotle's pinto beans, just wait until you try this copycat recipe for them. It has all of the same savory, smoky flavors as the "real deal," plus it has that irresistible creamy texture that you only get from perfectly cooked beans.

Now, don't get me wrong, I know beans aren't usually the most exciting thing on the dinner table. But if you love Chipotle as much as I do, then you're probably looking for every recipe you can get your hands on to make burrito bowls or burritos at home! I know I am, which is why I've been hard at work testing out as many new copycat Chipotle recipes as possible to share with you guys.

And I know I'm a bit biased, but I really think I hit the nail on the head with this pinto beans recipe. Plus, in addition to tasting delicious, this pinto beans recipe also happens to be so, so easy to make! In fact, all you have to do is follow a few simple steps to make 'em. You'll just sauté the onion, then add the beans, spices, and water, to 'em, and then let everything simmer until the beans are perfectly cooked. That's really all there is to it!

Also, since these copycat Chipotle pinto beans only use one pot, cleaning up is a breeze too! And you know how I'm a big fan of that.

By the way, since most of the time spent making this Chipotle pinto beans recipe is just letting the beans simmer, you'll have plenty of time to whip up this Chipotle sofritas or Chipotle chicken to go along with them!

Ingredients

• ½ tablespoon olive oil or rice bran oil
• ¼ cup chopped onion
• 8 oz. dried pinto beans, soaked overnight, rinsed and drained
• 1 chipotle pepper
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
• ½ teaspoon garlic paste
• ½ teaspoon cumin powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 small bay leaf
• 3 cups water or enough to cover the beans
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon lime juice, or to taste
• Salt and pepper, to taste

By the way, you can use a lot of these same ingredients to make this butter beans recipe. It's another one of my favorite pinto bean recipes, so you'll definitely want to give it a try if you end up with some extra beans.

Ingredient Substitutions And Suggestions

Now, while I recommend making this copycat Chipotle pinto beans recipe with the ingredients listed above, there are some ways you can put your own spin on it and possibly save yourself a trip to the store as well.

With that said, I'll go over some of my favorite ideas to try below.

Use Canned Pinto Beans

So, this recipe calls for dried pinto beans to be soaked overnight before simmering 'em with the spices. That said, if you want to save time, then you can swap dried beans for canned beans. Just keep in mind that you won't need to cook the beans for as long as this recipe says to since they've already been cooked. You'll just need to warm them up.

Boost Up The Flavor

If you'd like to boost the flavor of these pinto beans up even more, you can add even more seasonings. Things like garlic powder, chili powder, and Mexican oregano are all great additions.

How To Make Chipotle Pinto Beans

Step 1: Prep Work

First things first, you'll want to heat some olive oil in a saucepot over medium-high heat. Then, when the oil is hot, you can add the onions and cook 'em for about 5 minutes - or until the onions are soft and tender. Also, make sure to stir the onions frequently for even cooking.

Now, when you've got the onions looking good, you can add the garlic paste to the pot and cook until it's fragrant. Then, once the garlic is good to go, you can add the pinto beans, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, cumin, oregano, bay leaf, and water to the pot and give everything a good mix.

Step 2: Cook The Beans

So, now that everything is in the pot, you can bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium. Next, you can cook the beans by letting them simmer for about 1 ½-2 hours or until the beans are tender.

Once the beans are tender, you can remove them from the heat and season them to taste with salt and pepper. Then, add the lemon and lime juice to the beans and give them a stir.

Finally, you can serve the pinto beans next to anything you want to and enjoy 'em!

My Expert Tips

• Soak your beans for faster, more even cooking.
  Soaking dried pinto beans overnight reduces cooking time and helps them cook more evenly. If you're short on time, a quick soak (bring them to a boil, then let sit for 1 hour) works in a pinch.
• Use aromatics to build flavor from the start.
  Don’t skip the sautéed onions and garlic—this simple step creates a flavorful base and infuses the beans with depth. Chipotle’s version is all about layering smoky, savory flavors.
• Simmer low and slow.
  Pinto beans need time to break down and become creamy. Keep the heat low and give them at least 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on how soft you want them.
• Chipotle peppers in adobo = smoky flavor punch.
  A little goes a long way—chop the peppers finely and add both the pepper and some sauce for that signature smokiness.
• Taste and season at the end.
  Salt can toughen beans if added too early. Season lightly at the beginning, then adjust once the beans are tender.
• Finish with fresh lime juice.
  A splash of lime juice at the end brightens the flavor and balances the richness of the beans. It’s that final touch that makes them taste just like the ones from Chipotle.
• Make a big batch—these freeze beautifully.
  Store extra beans in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stove with a splash of water or broth to bring them back to life.

FAQs About This Chipotle Pinto Beans Recipe

Are Chipotle’s pinto beans vegetarian or vegan?

Yes—Chipotle’s pinto beans are fully vegan. This recipe follows the same approach by using vegetable-based ingredients only, so it's naturally plant-based and dairy-free.

Do I have to soak pinto beans before cooking them?

Soaking is optional, but it speeds up cooking time and helps the beans cook more evenly. If you don’t soak them, just plan to simmer them a bit longer (usually about 2.5–3 hours total).

Can I use canned pinto beans instead of dried?

Yes! If you're short on time, you can substitute two 15-oz cans of pinto beans, drained and rinsed. Reduce the cooking time to about 20–25 minutes, and add less water or broth since the beans are already cooked.

Can I make this recipe in the Instant Pot?

Definitely. After sautéing the onion and garlic using the Sauté function, add all ingredients (including unsoaked dried beans), and pressure cook on High for 40–45 minutes with natural pressure release. Add lime juice after cooking.

How spicy are these pinto beans?

The heat level is mild to medium, depending on how many chipotle peppers you use. For a milder version, use just the adobo sauce without the chopped peppers. For extra heat, add cayenne or a second pepper.

How should I store leftovers?

Store cooked beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of water or broth to loosen the texture.

What can I serve with Chipotle pinto beans?

They’re perfect in burrito bowls, tacos, nachos, or on the side of Chipotle chicken, barbacoa, or sofritas. You can also mash them slightly to use in burritos or as a dip for tortilla chips.

Wrapping It Up

Well, that's how to make Chipotle's pinto beans at home!

I really think this pinto beans recipe tastes identical to the beans at Chipotle.

I don't know if it's the perfectly balanced blend of spices or the creamy, smooth texture that makes this recipe taste so good, but it's just as yummy as it gets. And my family loves it too!

Anyway, I hope you like this easy copycat Chipotle pinto beans recipe as much as I/we do.

As always, if you give it a try, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know how it went!

More Chipotle Copycat Recipes

If you enjoyed this copycat Chipotle recipe, we have a ton of other ones that you can try next! 

Here are some reader favorites:

• Chipotle black beans
• Chipotle red chimichurri sauce
• Chipotle corn salsa
• Chipotle guac
• Chipotle queso
• Chipotle steak

Oh, and as always, make sure to check us out on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. We post new recipes on them every day.