Refried Beans

Refried Beans are made with pinto beans, great seasonings and lime juice for a little bit tang. Easy to make, but also so versatile. The texture my friends is a matter of preference and taste and that is totally up to you. I can tell once you make and try these homemade Refried Beans, this will be a staple in your household that everyone can’t get enough of.

Best beans for Refried Beans

My recommendation is definitely pinto beans. Simply because they taste great, have a wonderful texture, and are both buttery and rich. Yes, of course cheap and widely available.

For all homemade aka dried beans fans, know I have tried dried pinto beans, but I’m not convinced that the extra effort of 10 hours soaking time and 90 minutes cooking time is worth it compared to the result I could get from canned beans.

What about alternatives? You can use black beans, but keep in mind the texture will be more on the chunkier side. Black beans aren’t as easy as pinto beans to mash. Still for sure the result will be good and delicious.

What are traditional refried beans are made of?

Traditional refried beans are often made from pinto beans like I do and can be served as side dish or main meal.

This is what most Tex Mex restaurants do but you can make everything at home – so easy and delicious.

Reasons to make Refried Beans

Compared to store bought versions, you wouldn’t go and look back. Homemade is always delicious, affordable and satisfying all done in a fraction of time.

Versatile: yes, use it in burritos, like my California Burritos, nachos (see Chicken Nachos or Nacho Fries), Chimichangas or just use as dip with tortilla chips.

See my step by step pictures, and you know everything is so fast with little effort.

Texture: this is what I truly love about this refried beans and I hope you are also such a big fan. You have the texture in your own hands: make it entirely smooth, or leave some texture.

Refried Beans ingredients

Pinto beans: as I mention canned beans are wonderful. They are cooked and you save lots of time for soaking and cooking. I really do like the rich and buttery taste from pinto beans which in my gusto compliments the other ingredients exactly.

Garlic and onions: I pressed my garlic and I recommend for the texture that you chop your onions really finely so that the onions practically melt into to the beans. I find out that if you chop them roughly it doesn’t taste as good as with finely chopped.

A mild vegetable oil is wonderful, but if you like a bolder and stronger flavor you can absolutely use olive oil. Anyways everything will turn out delicious.

Seasonings: lots and lots of flavors from chili powder and cumin.

Tang from lime juice is what gives this refried beans that extra what takes them over the top. 

Oregano and cilantro: both of them add tons of flavors and make it well rounded and absolutely great.

How do I make refried beans?

Heat vegetable oil in a pot. When hot, add garlic and onions and cook them for 5 minutes.

Next, mix in cumin, oregano, chili powder. Give the pinto beans to the mix and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes more.

Remove the beans from the stove and stir in lime juice. Use a potato masher and mash until you reach the desired consistency of your Refried Beans.

Finally, return to the stove and cook for 2 minutes more. Serve straightforward, garnish with cilantro or let cool off completely and store in the refrigerator for later use.

Tips and tricks

Leftovers of Refried Beans are great for 4 days, stored in an airtight container and with a lid on top.

To freeze: First off all, don’t garnish with cilantro or it will get mushy. Use it just before serving. Also here it is important to let the beans first cool completely, then you can store them in freezer bags or containers to make preferred portions. Freezer bags will take up less space in your freezer than container.

Not fond about cilantro? Some people do love it, some people don’t like it. Simply leave them out.

Creamy Refried Beans

If rich and creamy is your thing, then I got you covered. To make creamy refried beans you can add any non dairy milk or sour cream. It will give you a really creamy and smooth texture.

Restaurant refried beans

I really enjoy and love this refried beans recipe as it is, but if you like them really fancy and luxurious like you can order in a fancy restaurant, add non dairy butter for a really intense buttery flavor. This will make them ultra rich and creamy. I find that you don’t need that extra fat, because just from the pinto beans everything is so delicious.

Other recipes to try

• Million Dollar Spaghetti
• Cajun Sauce
• Bang Bang Sauce
• Greek Lemon Potatoes
• Hashbrown Casserole
• Potato Cheese Balls

Share remakes of Refried Beans with a tag on Instagram or Facebook.

Enjoy, Florian.