Each bite of these chipotle lime black beans is smoky, zesty and rich in flavor. A quick and easy vegan dinner done in under 30 minutes.

Technically I don’t have a functioning kitchen at the moment. I have resorted to cooking and sauteing using my handy dandy saute setting on my instant pot. But there are worse things. If anything, I’m used to not using a lot of fancy kitchen tools. Before gaining any fancy equipment, I lived in a tiny apartment that didn’t even have a functioning dishwasher or microwave, and I cooked EVERYTHING in a really small saucepan. Making this meal actually kind of brought me back to some of those experiences. But you can still make a good meal with the bare minimum. All you need is the spice, the smokiness, and the zest to make these chipotle lime black beans rich.

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Black beans and antioxidants

Sometimes I feel like black beans don’t get nearly the amount of love or appreciation as other beans. Regardless, they should be praised as they are loaded with nutrition. Outside of the typical nutrients they tend to be higher in, including fiber, folate and iron, black beans are also a rich source of the anti-oxidant anthocyanin. If anthocyanins sound familiar, it’s because you typically see this antioxidant mentioned when people talk about grapes or wine. Anthocyanins may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline and cancer. (1) Black beans offer an affordable and easy means of obtaining these nutrients.

How to make Zesty Chipotle Lime Black Beans

To a pan, add in onions and mushrooms and saute until onions soften.
Stir in garlic and cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.
Add in all the listed spices and sauté again until spices are fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
Pour in black beans, tomatoes and sugar,and stir well to fully combine.
Bring mixture to a low simmer and allow to cook for 10-15 minutes.
Remove from heat and add in zest and lime juice. Stir well to combine and adjust seasonings to taste then serve.

Tips for making Zesty Chipotle Lime Black Beans

The thing that makes these beans flavorful are the spices. To really get a good depth of flavor to them, make sure to continuously move the spices around the pan to prevent spices from burning.
Feel free to change up the citrus you use. I used lime because I feel it pairs really well with black beans, but this dish would be equally wonderful using the juice of an orange and some orange zest.
These beans freeze well. Store leftovers in a Tupperware container and store in freezer for later use. If keeping leftovers in the fridge, they should keep for up to 4 days.
To balance your plate, enjoy your beans with a serving of brown rice, some roasted veggies, and a side of avocado for healthy plant based fats.

Some great black bean recipes