Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Chili
A smoky, hearty vegetarian chili packed with beans, tomatoes, and warm spices for a comforting bowl of goodness. This mexican-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes turns (15 oz) black beans, (15 oz) kidney beans, diced tomatoes into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, diced chipotle peppers in adobo
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp lime juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 can black beans, 1 can kidney beans, 2 cups diced tomatoes, 1 diced chipotle pepper, 1 tsp cumin, and 1 tsp oregano. Cook for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 3: Pour in 2 cups vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp lime juice and adjust seasoning with salt. Serve with avocado slices and cilantro.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Chili take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Chili?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Chili?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Chili for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Chili vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Best recipe I've made this month.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.