A good black bean chilli needs three things: proper smokiness, beans that stay beans rather than mush, and enough time for the flavours to get to know each other. Here's how to build one, and the shortcut when time is the missing ingredient.
The from-scratch recipe (35 minutes, serves 4)
Ingredients
- 1 onion; 1 red pepper; 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika; 2 tsp cumin; 1 tsp oregano
- Chipotle paste or chilli to taste
- 2 tins black beans, drained
- 1 tin chopped tomatoes; splash of stock
- Square of dark chocolate (trust us); lime, coriander
Method
- Soften onion and pepper, add garlic and all the spices, cook for a minute.
- Add beans, tomatoes and stock; simmer 20 to 25 minutes, uncovered, until thick.
- Stir in the chocolate at the end, season, finish with lime.
What makes it smoky
Smoked paprika does the heavy lifting; chipotle adds smoke and heat together. Roasting the pepper first deepens the whole pot.
The 90-second version
fiid's Smoky Black Bean Chilli brings rich black beans, roasted peppers and warming spices to the table in 90 seconds, tastes like it simmered for hours, and has zero additives or preservatives. Keep a case in the cupboard for burrito bowls, loaded fries and nights when chopping an onion feels like a personal attack.
Five ways to serve black bean chilli
Over rice; loaded onto sweet potato fries; folded into tacos; on a baked potato; or straight from the bowl with a spoon and no witnesses.
FAQ
Are black beans healthy?
They're rich in plant protein and fibre, which is why a bean chilli keeps you full the way mince alone doesn't.
Can I freeze black bean chilli?
Yes, it freezes and reheats well. Or skip the freezer entirely with the shelf-stable version.