Chili’s Black Beans

Add some sugar and spice to your black beans to create this Chili’s Black Beans copycat recipe.  Vegan black beans are the perfect source of protein for vegetarians and for those enjoying a plant-based diet.

A plate of vegetarian black beans served with pico de gallo

Have you ever asked yourself: how can I make canned beans taste better? Well, here’s how with some seasoned black beans using Chili’s restaurant black bean recipe. Add some sugar and spice to your black beans to create this copycat Chili’s Black Beans recipe.

Is this a side dish or a main dish? Honestly, it’s whatever you want it to be. It is so filling that it can stand alone as a hearty lunch. But if you are going to eat it for dinner, you might want to serve it up with some bread, rolls, cornbread, or other dishes to make a complete meal.

This is not a recipe for chili. It’s a copycat Mexican black beans side dish from the Chili’s restaurant. However, this is an easy black beans recipe you can turn into a chili by just adding more beans and ingredients. Read on to the instructions, and I’ll show you how.

Is There Anything Vegan at Chili’s?

Chilis vegan options are mostly limited to appetizers, salads, and sides. However, you can make a decent vegan meal out of these choices. For instance, you could order Mexican rice and beans with tortillas and guacamole.

  • Are Chili’s Black Beans Vegetarian? – Yes, vegan black beans are the perfect source of protein for vegetarians and those enjoying a plant-based diet.

Canned beans vs. Dried black beans

Canned black beans have made it so easy to enjoy these protein-packed beans.  Even this recipe calls for two cans of black beans.  But some enjoy the process of cooking black beans from a dried state.  Black beans don’t necessarily need to be pre-soaked but it will speed up the cooking time.

a pot of vegan beans cooking on the stove

How to Prepare Chili’s Black Beans

These vegan black beans can be enjoyed as a meal or a side dish. I also found when leftover these make great bean burritos, or you can even toss the extra with some cooked rice.

Here’s what you need

  • 2 cans Black Beans
  • Sugar
  • Chili Powder
  • Garlic Powder

Place the beans and sugar, chili powder and garlic powder in a saucepan and let simmer for 30-35 minutes. Store in the refrigerator.

How to Cook Dried Black Beans

  1. Rinse the beans thoroughly in cold, running water.
  2. Soak the beans overnight. (Note that dried black beans don’t necessarily need to be pre-soaked, but soaking will
  3. speed up the cooking time and also make the beans easier to digest.)
  4. Bring the pre-soaked beans to a boil. Let boil for 3 minutes and remove from the heat.
  5. If you do not pre-soak your black beans, put them in a pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered until the beans are tender – this will take 1 hour to 1 hour 45 minutes.

What Do You Eat Black Beans With?

Serve this seasoned black bean dish by itself with some tortilla chips. Or, make your beans part of a dinner dish with some chicken, rice, and pico de gallo.

Place beans on the bottom of a plate in the middle.
Place a cooked chicken breast on top, a serving of rice on the side, and add a generous helping of pico de gallo.
Finish off with a sprinkling of a tablespoon of crushed tortilla chips.

Black Bean Topping Ideas – Do you like to put toppings on your beans? Here are some popular ways to jazz up your Mexican black beans.

  • Sour cream
  • Guacamole
  • Chives
  • Fresh parsley
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Jalapenos

Mexican Black Beans

How do you like to eat black beans?  Let us know in the comments below.  And make sure you follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see all of our copycat recipes!

Can’t get enough copycat Chilis recipes? Try some of these.

Chilies Enchilada Soup Recipe
Skillet Queso Chilis
Southwest Chicken Soup Chilis
Chilis Copy Cat Salsa
Southwestern Egg Rolls Chilis
Chilis Chicken Crispers
Monterey Chicken Chilis
Awesome Blossom Petals Chilis
Chilis Classic Chili Recipe
Chilis Fresh Pico de Gallo
Chilis Margarita Grilled Chicken Recipe

Here are 3 black bean recipes you don’t want to miss.

How to Cook Black Beans like a Pro
Calico Bean Recipe

Be sure to check out all of my great restaurant appetizer recipes and serve up some delicious drink recipes.

A plate of vegetarian black beans served with pico de gallo

Chili’s Black Beans

How to make the tasty Chili's black beans at home with this easy copycat recipe. Use canned beans and simple seasonings for a healthy and vegan side dish.
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chilis Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 1175kcal

Ingredients

  • 31 ounces black beans 2 cans
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  • Place the black beans, sugar, chili powder, and garlic powder in a saucepan and mix through.
  • Let simmer on low heat for about 20 - 25 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and place in a bowl or serve with your favorite meat or seafood.

Notes

  • Allow more time if you are using dry black beans.  See the instructions above.
  • Serve the black beans by itself with some tortilla chips.  Or with some chicken, rice and pico de gallo.  Place beans on the bottom of the plate. They should cover the middle of the plate. Place Chicken Breast in the middle, your serving of rice on the side, a generous helping of pico de gallo. and sprinkle with a tablespoon of crushed tortilla chips.

Nutrition

Calories: 1175kcal | Carbohydrates: 211g | Protein: 78g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 3119mg | Fiber: 76g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 350IU | Calcium: 237mg | Iron: 18.5mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

REVEALED: Copycat Secrets for 2023

free email bonus

Yes, you CAN make it at home! I'll show you how.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marilynn Blair

    They use undrained black beans and their homemade salsa( its more of a picante sauce) in their black beans topped with Pico at serving time. I work there

  2. Lynn Moss

    5 stars
    Went to Chili’s tonight and had these and the waiter told us that they use a-1 steak sauce and salsa in their black beans…

    • gregory anderson

      Picadillo is prepared in a variety of ways, depending on the country you are in. It is basically a spicy minced beef hash made with papas; you can substitute ground meats of your choice. Just thot I’d reply.
      Love the recipes Ms.Stephanie! Woo Hoo

      Keep them coming our direction. thanks for the eats and treats.

  3. Chili's employee

    We just use pre-seasoned (with a bit of salt and garlic powder) canned black beans (not drained) and our salsa in 1:1/32 ratio. So 32oz of beans would require 1fl oz of salsa.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




homemade Olive Garden Asiago Torgelloni Alfredo with chicken on a plate

Copycat Recipe Secrets for 2023

REVEALED:

Yes, you CAN make it at home! 
I'll show you how.

FREE EMAIL BONUS