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El Pollo Loco BBQ Black Beans Recipe
El Pollo Loco BBQ Black Beans
By Todd Wilbur

Recipe Type: Side Dish
Calories: 200
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Recipe Rating: 4.4 (9 reviews)
 

If you dig the taste of traditional BBQ beans, youve got to love El Pollo Locos sweet and spicy variation using black beans. The light smokiness in this clone comes from bacon fat, then cayenne pepper and green chiles give the beans a Southwestern flavor that's perfect on burritos or as a delicious side. The prep is a breezer, since you conveniently combine two 15-ounce cans of black beans with the other secret ingredients in a saucepan and just let it simmer for an hour or so. When the beans are soft and the mixture is thick, commence with the scarfing.

Source: "Top Secret Recipes Unlocked" by Todd Wilbur.
two 15-ounce cans black beans (with liquid)
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons ketchup
3 tablespoons bacon fat (from 2 to 3 pieces cooked bacon)
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced canned green chiles
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1. Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan and place over medium heat.

2. When the mixture begins to bubble, reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 60 to 75 minutes, or until the beans are soft and the mixture thickens.

Makes 3 cups.
        
Karen Ritchey  
Submitted on 12/11/12
We love this recipe even more than El Pollo Loco's version and have made it many times. I also reduced water to 1 cup and just keep cooking until you reach the desired consistency.
Janet Saunders  
Submitted on 06/18/12
My family loved this recipe for BBQ Black Beans. After reading the reviews I decreased the water to 1 c. and simmered them for over two hours. Plan ahead or make them the day before serving. This will be my new go-to BBQ beans recipe.
Dawn Morgan  
Submitted on 07/10/11
These are spot on!
Kathryn Mattison-Gomez  
Submitted on 09/02/08
These are by far the best black beans that I have ever tasted, and living in Miami I have tasted quite a lot of black beans! As soon as they are through cooking I have to hide a little bowl for myself somewhere as there is an excellent chance that by the time dinner rolls around the pot is already empty.
DeNise  
Submitted on 11/04/07
This is one of my daughters favorite dishes at this restr. Yes it calls for a lot of water, I worried about that but followed the recipe. It DOES boil down and ticken up. They were right on to the restr. beans!! Everyone who eats them says they are wonderful. I use them now often instead of re-fried beans. Excellent!!!
mindy  
Submitted on 10/08/07
I enjoyed the taste. I added a bit more brown sugar. Although I simmered for over 90 minutes, the final product was watery. If there is a way to thicken this without sacrificing the savor, I'm all for it.
mjinsouthernCA  
Submitted on 09/28/07
After 90 minutes beans were still soupy so I brought them from a simmer to a boil and stirrred every 5 minutes until they were proper consistency. I LOVE El Pollo Loco black beans and these were pretty darn close. Will definitely make them again, noting Inc temp at end.
George F.  
Submitted on 09/23/07
Wasn't too sure about the liquid amounts indicated but followed them anyway. Someone fell asleep at the switch on this one! After simmering for 90 mins. it was still the wateriest soup I've ever seen let alone being able to use in a burrito or side dish. Slurp, don't scarf. I'll probably throw the entire thing away since I see no way to salvage it. If you try this recipe DO NOT add any water at the very least. Doubt if I'll try to make this again even w/o water. What a disaster!!!!!!
extremepam  
Submitted on 09/20/07
Loved it!!! Can't wait to make it again.