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    Home » Recipes » Mexican

    The Best Refried Beans - 2 Ways!

    Published: Mar 2, 2022 · Modified: Apr 22, 2022 by seekinggoodeats · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Pinterest pin with a cast iron skillet of refried beans.

    Homemade easy authentic refried beans are super simple to make and taste WAY better than the store-bought variety. There are 2 ways to make - from canned beans (quickest) or dried cooked beans (traditional).

    Refried beans cooked in a cast iron skillet and topped with melted cheese and cilantro.
    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this Mexican Refried Beans Recipe
    • Best Refried Beans ingredients
    • Best Refried Beans variations and substitutions
    • 🍽 Equipment needed to make Authentic Refried Beans
    • How to make Refried Beans from scratch
    • How to serve Mexican Refried Beans
    • Authentic Mexican Refried Beans Recipe tips
    • Best Refried Beans Recipe FAQs
    • Authentic Mexican Refried Beans Recipe storage
    • More Mexican Recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love this Mexican Refried Beans Recipe

    "These are amazing and result in an authentic refried bean similar to your favorite Mexican restaurant. Once you make these you will never buy the canned refried beans again. You can make these from a dried pinto bean or the quick and simple method with canned bean."

    So Many Uses! Serve as a snack for dipping chips, or as a filling in burritos, tostadas, or tacos. Or, as a side dish with your favorite Mexican dish.

    Quick! Making authentic refried beans is quickest if you use canned beans - cooking in under 15 minutes! It’s a perfect quick side dish if you're busy!

    Traditional. You can opt to make these the more traditional method and use dried soaked and cooked beans. This process takes longer but does result in amazing refried beans.

    So Delicious! So much more flavor than the canned refried beans! You'll love that you can customize them to your tastes. See notes under the Variations section below.

    Healthy! This recipe is gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free (don't use optional cheese), and sugar-free.

    Best Refried Beans ingredients

    Here are the ingredients you will need to make this authentic refried beans recipe:

    Ingredients needed for making refried beans
    • Pinto Beans - use canned pinto beans to save time, or use soften soaked dried beans that have been cooked. See the recipe card instructions in the post on how to cook them. If you use canned beans you need to rinse and drain them before using.
    • Onion - use a yellow onion.
    • Oil or Lard - there are many forms of fat you can use to saute the onions and beans. I used beef tallow, but you could use olive oil, avocado oil, bacon fat, chorizo sausage fat, lard, etc.
    • Beef Broth - I used beef but you could use any kind that you like. If you soak dried beans you can use the broth from the beans instead of beef.
    • Garlic
    • Salt
    • Optional Cheese - cheese makes a nice creaminess and who doesn't love melted cheese? Use any favorite cheese such as queso fresco, oaxaca, cheddar cheese, or a Mexican cheese blend.
    • Optional Cilantro - use as a garnish, this is optional but gives it a nice freshness.

    Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full instructions!

    Best Refried Beans variations and substitutions

    Here are a few ways you can vary or make substitutions:

    • Spicy - add chili pepper flakes while cooking to increase the spicy heat into the dish, or saute diced jalapeno with the onion.
    • Use a can of diced tomatoes instead of broth.
    • You can mix in fresh or dried oregano for added falvor.
    • Upgraded - add the finished refried beans to the slow cooker and mix with a small can of diced tomatoes with green chilies, 1/2 cup cheese, and half a recipe of my copycat taco seasoning mix. Stir together and cook on low for a couple of hours until warm and cheese is melted. Serve as a side dish or dip.

    🍽 Equipment needed to make Authentic Refried Beans

    Equipment and tools needed to make Mexican refried beans:

    • 10" skillet
    • Bean masher, potato masher, or a back of a spoon.
    • Cutting Board
    • Chef Knife
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons

    How to make Refried Beans from scratch

    Here are the step-by-step instructions for making this authentic refried beans recipe:

    Prep

    If using dried cooked beans: follow the instructions below. Don't forget to soak the beans overnight. Drain the beans and save the broth to use in place of beef broth. If using canned beans: drain and rinse before using. If using cooked beans do not drain liquid.

    Cook Onions and Garlic

    Preheat a medium-sized skillet with your fat of choice. Add onions and garlic and saute until golden and soft.

    Smash Beans

    Reduce heat to low and add beans. Smash with a back of a mixing spoon or a masher. Hint: Mashing a few at a time is easier. Try doing a third of the beans, mash, then add another 1/3 beans and continue.

    Finish and Serve

    Once beans are mashed pour in the broth until beans reach your desired thickness, stir to heat. Top with optional cheese and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve right away.

    How To Cook Dried Beans

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup dried beans
    • 1 small onion onion, finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil, or other fat of choice.
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    1. Rinse the beans and remove any dirt or pebbles. In a bowl add beans and 3 cups of water. Soak overnight. Beans are ready for cooking when you break open a bean and see no dryness inside.
    2. Drain the water and add beans to a 3 to 4 quart saucepan. Add 3 cups of fresh water, onion, oil, and salt.
    3. Bring to a simmer and partially cover. Simmer until fully tender about 1 to 2 hours. Add more water if the water evaporates. Stir occasionally to keep beans from sticking to pot.
    4. Drain the beans, but save the broth. Use the beans to make this refried beans recipe, using the bean broth to use as a liquid in place of the beef as needed.

    How to serve Mexican Refried Beans

    Here are a few ways to serve authentic Mexican refried beans:

    • Make it a dip - top with guacamole, diced onions, shredded lettuce, and serve with chips.
    • Meal idea! Serve these beans with Cowboy Ribeye Steak with Cumin Chili Rub and a side of Mexican Street Corn Salad.
    • Use it as a taco and burrito filling, or on tostadas.
    • Serve it as a side to any of your favorite Mexican dishes. Here are a few of dishes that these beans would go well with: Carne Enchiladas, Taco Stuffed Bell Peppers, and Chicken Tinga Tostadas.

    Authentic Mexican Refried Beans Recipe tips

    • Beans will thicken as they sit. Add broth as needed to soften.
    • To mash beans you can use the back of a spoon, a bean masher, or a potato masher.
    • To help soften soaking dried beans add a pinch of baking soda.

    Pin me for later on Pinterest! 🙂

    A cast iron skillet of refried beans with cheese and fresh cilantro.

    Best Refried Beans Recipe FAQs

    Why do people put milk in refried beans?

    Many people add milk to their refried beans to make them creamier. Refried beans can dry out if not enough fat is added. Adding milk can add back moisture.

    Why are restaurant refried beans so good?

    Restaurant refried beans are so good because of the meaty flavor you get from the type of fat they use. Bacon drippings, pork lard, or fat rendered from chorizo are the three most common types of fat used in refried beans.

    What gives beans a good flavor?

    Besides the beans - fat, salt, onion, and garlic are the main ingredients that give beans a good flavor. Refried beans are especially delicious because they are cooked twice - the first time, the flavors are blended from cooking low and slow for hours. The second time the liquid is drained, and the beans are fried in a pan with onion, garlic, and fat, then mashed. Tasty!

    Authentic Mexican Refried Beans Recipe storage

    To store leftovers, let the roast cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. See reheating and freezing instructions below.

    Freezing

    Freeze the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

    Reheating

    Reheat slowly in a microwave or on the stovetop. Add liquid to soften beans as needed.

    More Mexican Recipes

    If you are looking for more delicious Mexican recipes, check these out:

    • Crockpot Birria De Res
    • Green Enchiladas with Chicken
    • Creamy Beef Taco Soup
    • Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
    • Green Enchiladas Chicken Soup (Slow Cooker + Instant Pot)

    Recipe

    Refried beans in a cast iron skillet with a spoon and garnished with fresh cilantro.

    Authentic Refried Beans

    Homemade authentic refried beans are so delicious and simple! 2 ways to make - from dried beans (traditional) or from canned beans (the quickest).
    5 from 3 votes
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    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Author Kori
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 6
    Calories 117 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 16 ounce can pinto beans or 1 recipe of cooked dried beans (see below in the notes section)
    • 1½ tablespoons fat (olive oil, avocado oil, pork lard, beef lard, bacon drippings)
    • ½ small onion (finely chopped)
    • 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
    • ½ to 1 cup water or beef broth (as needed)
    • salt (to taste)
    • 3 tablespoons crumbled queso fresco cheese (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • If using dried cooked beans: follow the instructions below. Don't forget to soak the beans overnight. Drain the beans saving the broth to use in place of beef broth. If using canned beans: drain all liquid and rinse before using.
    • Preheat a medium-sized skillet with your fat of choice. Add onions and garlic and saute until golden and soft, about 8 to 10 minutes.
    • Reduce heat to low and add beans. Smash with a back of a mixing spoon or a masher until they are coarsely mashed. Hint: Mashing a few at a time is easier. Try doing a third of the beans, mash, then add another 1/3 beans and continue.
    • Once beans are mashed add broth until beans reach your desired thickness, stir to heat. Top with optional cheese and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve right away

    Notes

    Don't miss all of our helpful hints, substitution ideas, cooking tips, and other delicious recipes that can be found in our post. Check it out!
    TOP TIPS: Buy canned pinto beans to save time or follow the recipe below to cook dried beans for use in this recipe. 
    SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve as a dip with chips, a side dish to your favorite Mexican recipe, or as a filling for burritos, tacos, or tostadas.

    HOW TO COOK DRIED BEANS

    Ingredients
    • 1 cup dried beans
    • 1 small onion, finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil, or other fat of choice.
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    Instructions
    1. Rinse the beans and remove any dirt or pebbles. In a bowl add beans and 3 cups of water. Soak overnight. Beans are ready for cooking when you break open a bean and see no dryness inside.
    2. Drain the water and add beans to a 3 to 4-quart saucepan. Add 3 cups of fresh water, onion, oil, and salt.
    3. Bring to a simmer and partially cover. Simmer until fully tender about 1 to 2 hours. Add more water if the water evaporates. Stir occasionally to keep beans from sticking to pot.
    4. Drain the beans, but save the broth. Use the beans to make this refried beans recipe, using the bean broth to use as a liquid in place of the beef as needed.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 117kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 5gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 259mgPotassium: 231mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 60IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 1mg

    © 2023 Seeking Good Eats™

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    Image of Kori Seeking Good Eats Founder

    Hello! I'm Kori and I am a food LOVER. I've had a lifelong passion for cooking and eating (of course)! At some point that catches up with you, right? Older and wiser, I now watch what I eat more closely. What's the hardest and most frustrating part? Finding recipes that are healthy, easy to make, AND taste great.

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