Spicy Chipotle Black Bean Chili

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A smoky, hearty vegetarian chili packed with beans, tomatoes, and warm spices for a comforting bowl of goodness. This mexican-inspired 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 220 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 2 cups vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp lime juice and adjust seasoning with salt. Serve with avocado slices and cilantro.

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

Related recipes