Chipotle Mexican Grill's Black Beans (Copycat Recipe)

This copycat recipe captures the rich, savory flavors of Chipotle's famous black beans. Simmered with aromatic spices, onions, and garlic, these beans are tender and packed with flavor, making them a perfect side dish for any Mexican meal. They are also vegetarian and high in protein, making them a nutritious addition to your diet.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried black beans
• 4 cups water
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the dried black beans under cold water and remove any debris.
2. In a large pot, combine the rinsed beans and water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Simmer for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender.
4. In a separate skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
5. Add the minced garlic, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf to the skillet, and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
6. Once the beans are tender, drain them, reserving some of the cooking liquid.
7. Add the sautéed onion and spice mixture to the beans. Stir to combine, adding reserved cooking liquid as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
8. Season with salt to taste and simmer for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
9. Remove the bay leaf before serving and garnish with chopped cilantro.