Authentic 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).

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🍽 Equipment
• 🔪 Instructions
• 🥗 How To Serve
• 📖 Variations
• 💭 Top Tips
• ❓FAQs
• ✔️ More Mexican Recipes
• ⭐ Let's Connect
• 📋 Recipe
• Food Safety

❤️ Why You'll Love This 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.

🥘 Ingredients

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

• 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.

🍽 Equipment

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

🔪 Instructions

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 teaspsoon 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

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.
• 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.

📖 Variations

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.

💭 Top Tips

❓FAQs

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)

⭐ Let's Connect

📋 Recipe

Food Safety

Here are some general food safety guidelines to always be aware of:

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 135 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.