This is a pretty easy delicious recipe but it’s best if you make the pickled onions the day before. I originally made up this recipe for cauliflower and it did taste delicious but I accidentally made the cauliflower soggy so I never published that recipe. This chipotle lime butter works out better for green beans and I think it actually taste better on green beans. I used my chipotle flakes this time (instead of chipotle powder that I normally use) and it did come out slightly different than with the easier to find chipotle powders out there. I think the chipotle flakes seem spicier to me so if you use chipotle powder instead you might have to add more pepper seasoning. It’s difficult to judge serving size. Some people like a small side and other people want a whole plate. You will have extra pickled onions left over that you can use on a sandwich or a taco.

Ingredients for around 6 servings.

1 red onion sliced extra thin

1 cup white vinegar

1 Tablespoon kosher salt

2 Tablespoons sugar

1 bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds

2 sprigs thyme

1 lb green beans

15.5 oz can black beans (rinsed 3 times and drained….preferably reduced sodium)

2 Tablespoons chipotle flakes

2 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon granulated onion

1 teaspoon granulated garlic

2 limes – juice and zest

2 tablespoons honey

4 oz sweet butter – melted

3/4 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)

1/2 cup cilantro – chopped

optional – 4 oz queso fresco – crumbled to finish

Directions

The day before you make the green beans make the pickled onions

Heat up the vinegar, salt, sugar, bay leaf, black pepper, yellow mustard seeds, and thyme till sugar is dissolved. (you can do this stove top or microwave) Then add the red onion slices. Let sit on counter till room temp and refrigerate over night.

Put a pot of water on to boil. Then boil the trimmed green beans 2-3 minutes and drain.

In a large mixing bowl add the chipotle flakes, oregano, Old Bay, black pepper, cumin, onion, garlic, lime juice, lime zest, honey, melted butter, cilantro, and salt. Mix well. Then add the green beans. Top with some pickled onions. Finish with queso fresco if desired.

Enjoy!