Chipotle Borracho Beans

Smoky, spicy and utterly satisfying!

Easy, but oh, so flavorful! These Chipotle Borracho Beans are pure comfort food. Whether served as a hearty side dish or as the star of the meal, they’re packed with bold flavors and a satisfying kick. The best part? This recipe skips the bacon and instead gets its smoky depth from Liquid Smoke—a genius little ingredient that brings barbecue vibes without the meat. The result is a smoky, spicy, and comforting dish. Utterly satisfying!

Tips and Variations

• Spice Level: Want more heat? Add another serrano pepper or a pinch of cayenne. Prefer it milder? Remove the seeds from the serrano pepper or use a jalapeno instead.
• Alcohol-Free Option: Replace the beer with vegetable broth and a splash of apple cider vinegar for a tangy depth of flavor.
• Serving Ideas: Pair with warm tortillas, cornbread, steamed rice, or top with avocado slices for a complete, satisfying meal.

This recipe for Chipotle Borracho Beans is versatile and easy to make. They’re sure to be a go-to recipe for weeknight dinners!

Chipotle Borracho Beans

Courses: Dinner

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Difficulty: Beginner Servings: 12 Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Ingredients

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• 4 cans pinto beans, drained

• 1 small onion, diced

• 1 small serrano pepper with seeds, small dice

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

• 6 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 teaspoons chili powder

• 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon chipotle chili powder

• 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano

• 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

• ¹⁄₂ teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles, plus juice (14 oz.)

• 1 bottle Mexican dark lager beer

• 1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke

• 1 tablespoon coconut sugar (or dark brown sugar)

• 1 cup cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1. Add the olive oil to a large pot over medium heat.  Sauté the onions until golden and tender.

2. Add the serrano peppers and garlic and cook about a minute.

3. Stir in the chili powders, oregano, cumin and salt.  Cook for another 30 seconds to bloom the spices and deepen their flavors.

4. Stir in the beans, tomatoes, beer (I like to use Negra Modelo) and sugar.  Bring to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to come together.

5. Turn the heat to low and stir in the chopped cilantro.  Serve immediately as a side or as a main course.  Garnish with additional cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 12 ServingCalories:198.4kcalTotal Fat:2.6gTrans Fat: 0gSodium:649.1mgTotal Carbohydrate:33gDietary Fiber: 8.3gSugars: 1.8gProtein:10.6g

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