Hearty, flavourful and nutritious, this healthy black bean recipe using black turtle beans makes for a delicious dinner or filling side. The black beans are infused with lots of flavour from chipotle powder and smoked paprika. So good!
This black bean recipe was originally posted in October 2015 and has been updated.
Recently, hubby had a work trip to Texas for a couple of days. I always love to ask if he had any memorable meals or dishes. I’m allll about the food, lol!! Tell me. Tell me in detail!!
During his trip he said that black beans were a really common dish that was served and he loved ’em. Because both of us are big fans of beans, I knew I had to make some myself!
I’ve made baked beans before (Homemade Baked Beans) and they are completely delicious, but these smoky baked black beans are different altogether.
This recipe is a tad simpler and has a different flavour profile than my other baked bean recipe – it has more of a spicy/smoky flavour from chipotle powder and smoked paprika, it’s not tomato based and uses a different type of bean.
What Goes in this Chipotle Black Bean Recipe?
-Black beans (specifically black turtle beans)
-Aromatics like onion, garlic and bay leaves
-Spices like oregano, chipotle powder, smoked paprika and chili powder
-Veggie stock
-Delicious bbq sauce, tomato paste and molasses
-Salt & pepper
-Water
What are Black Turtle Beans?
Black turtle beans are small shiny beans popular in Latin America (and parts of the United States) and are often referred to simply as ‘black beans’. They’re dense and mealy, which is why they work great in hearty vegan and vegetarian dishes, like this vegan black bean recipe.
For this recipe, turtle beans were the bean of choice for me. Like a lot of beans, they are really high in fibre and who doesn’t like a little extra fibre in their diet?
Find them in your grocery store where you would find dried chickpeas, lentils and the like.
Do you Have to Soak Black Beans? How to Soak Black Beans?
Yes, soak black beans overnight to use the next day in this black bean recipe. Soak anywhere from 8-24 hours. Store the beans in the fridge as they soak overnight.
Pick over beans (i.e. remove any foreign objects, like rocks, and any imperfect beans) and rinse with cold water in a colander.
To soak, simply placed dried black beans in a large bowl and cover completely with cold water. I like to have 2-3 inches of water above the beans because they will expand as they soak.
Don’t have that kinda time or forget to soak and you really want to make this recipe? No worries! Try this quick-soak method from The Kitchn.
How to Cook Black Beans Using Black Turtle Beans?
Aside from soaking the black turtle beans, this healthy black bean recipe is super simple! You just need a little time and patience for them to cook (but the taste is so worth it)!
To cook black beans –
-Drain soaked beans and rinse again with fresh, cold water. Place soaked beans in a dutch oven or large oven safe pot
-To pot add remainder of ingredients. Stir to combine.
-Cover, place pot in oven and cook.
-Half way through cooking, carefully remove black beans from oven, add more water. Stir and make sure beans aren’t sticking. Cook remainder of time.
-When beans are finished cooking, stir in more water to loosen and add a little more bbq sauce. Cooking time is about 5.5 to 6 hours.
-Adjust seasoning, if necessary, and remove bay leaves.
-Portion and enjoy! Psssst—> I love a little squeeze of lime over top!
Tips for Making these Oven Baked Beans
–Don’t skip soaking the black turtle beans overnight! This cuts down on the cook time.
-This black bean recipe is plant based and tastes scrumptious as it is. However, if you like, you can add a leftover ham bone into the pot. Once the beans are cooked and the bone is cooled slightly, pick any excess meat from the bone, shred, and add to beans. Don’t have a ham bone? Crispy bacon works as well. Prefer as they are? That’s cool too! You do you!
-Depending on how ‘loose’ you want these beans add as little or as much water or stock after they’ve cooked.
–Upon reheating, add a little stock or water to loosen.
-Garnish with cilantro, a squeeze of lime, avocado or crumbled feta.
Can you Freeze Beans?
Yep! Hubby and I love to portion cooled leftovers into vacuum seal bags, seal, and throw in the freezer for when we are looking for a healthy, quick dinner. Don’t have a vacuum sealer? No worries! Use freezer safe bags or containers. Thaw when ready to enjoy!
How to Enjoy this Healthy Black Bean Recipe
-Enjoy as is and garnish to taste!
-Serve over nachos
-Enjoy for breakfast with a poached egg on top
-Yummy as a bbq side with your fave protein
-Delicious over grits or polenta
Other Healthy Bean Recipes you may Enjoy –
Black Bean and Tofu Scramble Lettuce Wraps
Like most bean recipes, this easy black bean recipe is really inexpensive to make…some beans and a few other ingredients yields quite a large amount. Though this recipe is quite humble and most definitely not fancy, it is pretty versatile; you can enjoy with just about any meal from breakfast to dinner.
Hope you love this healthy black bean recipe using dried turtle beans! They are a fabulous recipe for meal prep for easy weekday meals.
Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon 🙂
~Dawn
P.S. If you think this healthy black bean recipe will make your belly happy too, please be sure to hit that little Pin button. Many thanks, you guys! XO
Smoky Baked Black Beans {healthy black bean recipe}
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried black turtle beans -soaked overnight
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 3 cloves garlic -minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 tbsp chipotle powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/3 cup bbq sauce -plus 2 tbsp
- 4 cups vegetable stock -I used 'unsalted'
- 2 tbsp molasses
- 1 onion -chopped
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt -or to taste
- 1.5-2 cups water
Instructions
- Pick over beans. Rinse with fresh, cold water. Soak beans in a large bowl of fresh, cold water overnight (ensure beans are completely covered and water is at least two inches above the beans). Store beans in fridge as they are soaking.
- Preheat oven to 350F. Using a slotted spoon, remove beans from water.
- Drain beans and rinse again with fresh, cold water. In a dutch oven (about 4 quart), place beans. Add oregano, garlic, bay leaves, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, tomato paste, bbq sauce, stock, molasses, onion and pepper. Stir to combine. Cover and bake for 3 hours.
- After 3 hours, carefully remove pot from oven and add 1.5 cups of water. Stir. Place back in oven. Cook for about 2.5-3 hours more.
- Carefully remove from oven and add another 1/2 cup or so of water (depending on desired consistency) and stir to combine. Stir in 2 more tablespoons of bbq sauce. Stir in salt and adjust to taste, if necessary. Remove and discard bay leaves. I love serving up and squeezing a fresh lime wedge over top. Enjoy!
Notes
- Don't skip soaking the black turtle beans overnight! This cuts down on the cook time.
- This black bean recipe is plant based and tastes scrumptious as it is. However, if you like you can add a leftover ham bone into the pot. Once the beans are cooked and the bone is cooled slightly, pick any excess meat from the bone, shred, and add to beans. Don't have a ham bone? Crispy bacon works as well. Prefer as they are? That's cool too! You do you!
- Depending on how 'loose' you want these beans add as little or as much water or stock after they've cooked.
- Upon reheating, add a little stock or water to loosen.
- These baked beans are delicious served with cilantro, a squeeze of lime, avocado or crumbled feta.
- You can freeze these black beans! Portion cooled leftovers into vacuum seal bags, seal, and throw in the freezer for when we are looking for a healthy, quick dinner.
Love your idea of serving these for brunch with a fried egg on top! I think I’ll add extra bacon to mine too. Looks delicious!
Sounds good 🙂 Thank you so much, Renee!
I love black beans with chipotle – and adding paprika gives them another whole layer of flavor! Just perfect!
Thank you Anne 🙂
Beans at our house are always a hit! I have a hard time changing them up because I cannot find a recipe! I am so glad I found this recipe!
We love ’em too! Thanks Kelsey! So happy you like the recipe 🙂
The spices in here sound so good! And with the oven on all day, this seems like such a perfect fall dish to keep the kitchen and the belly nice and warm.
Thank you Julie! Love dishes like this, especially in the fall!
Nothing beats a pot of beans to make the perfect side dish. I love the smoky sauce and the different turtle bean you used for this.
So true! Thanks Sharon 🙂
I really like baked beans, especially as part of summer picnic menus. And I love so many things about this specific recipe – the unique choice of beans and all the layers of flavor, not to mention the gorgeous photos and great little tips. Terrific recipe post!
Thank you so much for the kind, thoughtful comment, Shelley 🙂 So happy you enjoy it!
I love a good bowl of beans. I have never heard of turtle beans, but will be on the lookout the next time I go to the store. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Thanks Jackie! Hope you love it 🙂
Oh, what a yummy dish! We love all kinds of beans, especially black beans. I haven’t seen the turtle beans — of course they could go under another name. This is a definite must make recipe. And I’m a lot like you, whenever anyone says they ate something in particular that they like I want them to describe it in detail.
Haha – glad I’m not the only one 😉 Thank you so much, Marisa!
Im so glad you republished this one, Dawn! TBH I didn’t know there was such a thing as black turtle beans until I read your post – love that they are higher in fiber and LOVE this spiced smoky rendition of them! Sounds so delish!
Thanks Shashi! They’re really yummy 🙂
Oh I loved this bean recipe Dawn! Lovely flavors and spices used,looks so yumm.
Thank you Prasanna 🙂 !!
The flavors are amazing and so delicious!
Easy to prepare and inexpensive, love everything about these smoky black beans
Thank you so much, Eileen 🙂 !
Yum! Love the idea of ‘smoky’ beans!! And really like the possible addition of a ham bone to infuse flavour! SO GOOD!
Thanks Lizzy 🙂 They are pretty delish! Hope you get a chance to try them soon!
OOOoooo these beans look good!! I love the spice used here; it really kicks the recipe up a notch! This recipe makes me realize that I do not eat beans hardly enough. I can’t wait to make these!
Thank you Dominique!! Hope you love ’em 🙂
We love black beans. They are so nutritious, and a great alternative to meat. These beans look so good. Love the switch up from regular kidney beans. This is perfect for comfort food season.
Totally! Thank you Gloria!
Your black beans are different and delicious sounding. Perfect for the upcoming holiday.
Thank you Karen 🙂 They sure are! Have a good one!
Dawn – I’m loving these beans! And you are right, they are so inexpensive and are packed with all kinds of great nutrients. These beans look so lovely!
Thank you Kathy! Happy you love ’em 😉
This dish looks soooo good – I am a huge fan of beans too as is my husband, so this is right up our alley! Great for some comfort food that is soon needed, the summer has already disappeared here in London and it already feels like autumn these days 🙁 Don’t get me wrong I love Autumn but not necessarily when it is still August 🙂 Have a great weekend ahead, Dawn!
Thank you Miriam! Starting to cool off a little here too. I do love fall, though! Hope you have a lovely weekend as well 🙂
These beans look so hearty, smoky and flavourful Dawn! They are always a must at big family brunches! I’ve never used black turtle beans in baked beans. Love the deep, rich colour they create. Hope you’re having a great week friend!
Thank you Leanne! They’re super hearty and those beans pack quite a nutritious punch 🙂 Hope you’re having a great week too!
Ever since I have seen these on insta, I was dying to read your blog post Dawn! I am loving the sound of that smoky touch you added to them.
Yay! Thanks so much, Neha 🙂
Dawn, I love black beans, but I guess the ones I buy are not “Turtle Beans”? I think these sound so delicious! I will be looking for turtle beans to make a big batch of these – they would be excellent on a taco salad. I also love the idea of serving them with polenta, thanks for the recipe!
Thank you very much, Laura 🙂 Taco salad? Yes! They would be a yummy addition for sure – love it! Have a wonderful week!
This looks so perfect for fall! I’m ready for warm, satisfying recipes like this on chilly evenings 😀
It sure is! Gotta love comfort food 🙂 Thanks Sarah!
Your beans are beautiful – i love the red color! Black beans are a staple in my pantry, and they’re so inexpensive. All beans helped me out during our “poor” years!
Thank you so much, Mimi 🙂 They’re a staple around here too…so versatile and good for ya…and definitely budget friendly 😉
I have breakfast on my mind right now and I can totally eat a big helping of these as part of a traditional English breakfast. Or simply with two fried eggs on top. Mmm. I think that they will be perfect – who can resist paprika and chipotle smokiness? And all the sweetness from the BBQ and molasses?
Wouldn’t that be yummy?! Now you’re making me hungry 😉 Thanks Milena!
One of my favorite sides of all time right here! And do you know, I have never thought to add them to my nachos! Thanks for that tip! Happy Monday, my friend! XOXO
Yay!! You’re so welcome! Hope you get a chance to try these out soon 🙂 Happy Monday to you too! XOXO
You had me at smoky! These beans sound delicious, Dawn. I’m not familiar with turtle beans, but I do love a good traditional black bean. I love making BBQ everything around here, and these smoky black beans would be such a good side dish! Sounds delicious, my friend!
Haha! I knew it 😉 Thank you David…it sure would make a lovely side dish! Have a great week, my friend!
I LOVE beans! Especially black beans! These look so hearty and delicious. And is it weird that I really like the color of the final dish? I don’t think I’ve ever thought that about baked beans before :). Have a great week, Dawn!
Me too, Kelsie! Not weird at all!! Have a great week too 🙂
One of my husband’s favorite sides is baked beans Dawn! And these sound totally packed with flavor. Perfect for this upcoming weekend’s BBQ! Pinning and can’t wait to try! Have a great week. XO
Happy to hear that, Mary Ann!! Definitely a great idea to have with BBQ! Thanks, my friend 🙂 XO
Eee! I love black beans! Smoky- spicy black beans? NOM NOM! I could pair these with everything! And devour with abandon! So yum!!! Cheers, girlie!
Me too, Cheyenne 🙂 Thanks so much! I was really pleased with the end result…don’t mind eating extra ’cause they’re so good for you! Hubby and I were eating them straight out of the pot as soon as I took them out of the oven, lol!!