Easy Homemade Refried Beans Recipe

I love refried beans. They’re creamy, delicious, and perfect for satisfying Mexican food cravings. But they can also be a little expensive to buy pre-made. So I decided to try making them at home. The results were fantastic! Not only were they cheaper, but they were also fresher and tasted better than the store-bought variety. If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to make your own refried beans, then this is the recipe for you!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Making your own refried beans is not only cheaper and healthier, but it’s also a lot easier than you may think. All you need is a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience. Once you’ve made your own refried beans, you’ll never want to go back to the store-bought variety again. So, why not give it a try? You may be surprised at just how quickly this becomes one of your favorite dishes to make.

• This easy refried beans recipe is not only delicious, but it’s also budget-friendly and much healthier than the canned variety.
• Easy to customize to your family’s tastes and made from a few basic ingredients, you will see how simple and quick this is to make.
• No need to run out to the grocery store or your favorite Mexican restaurant when you can make this perfect side dish at home.
• Beans are nutritious, and pinto beans are one of the healthiest beans you can eat (source: Healthline) . Beans are full of fiber and protein, which will keep you satisfied for hours.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

• large skillet
• potato masher or stick blender

INGREDIENTS

You only need a handful of ingredients to make this popular Mexican food side dish, and they are easy to find at your local grocery or may already be on hand in your pantry.

• Mexican Pinto Beans
• Pinto bean broth, water or seasoned broth

Mexican Pinto Beans Ingredients

• dry pinto beans
• vegetable broth or water
• garlic cloves, minced
• onion
• diced green chili
• roma tomatoes, diced – fresh tomatoes are best, but you can also use diced canned tomatoes.
• cumin
• salt
• oregano
• cayenne
• liquid smoke (optional)

REFRIED BEANS WITH CANNED BEANS INGREDIENTS

• pinto beans
• oil, neutral flavor – vegetable, canola, avocado
• onion, finely chopped
• garlic clove, finely chopped
• salt
• pepper
• water or broth, plus more as needed

HOW TO MAKE REFRIED BEANS

Making these delicious refried beans is so easy and versatile. There are so many different ways that you can make them. And, you won’t regret making your own beans for this restaurant quality side dish.

1. First, prepare the beans if you are making them from scratch. Below are options for Crock Pot, Stove top, and Instant Pot methods. For canned beans, you simply open the cans.
2. Second, refry in broth or aromatics, and then mash the beans.
3. Third, simmer until the beans reach the consistency you love.

CROCK POT PINTO BEANS INSTRUCTIONS

Rinse beans and sort beans removing stones.

Place beans in a large bowl, add 6-8 cups of water and soak overnight in the refrigerator. Rinse water 2 times and place beans in the crockpot.

Add broth, garlic, onion, diced green chili, cumin, salt, oregano, cayenne, and liquid smoke.

Cover and cook on low for 7 hours. Stir in chopped tomatoes and cook for an additional hour. Serve with cilantro and add additional salt and pepper to taste.

STOVE TOP PINTO BEANS INSTRUCTIONS

Rinse and sort beans removing stones. Place beans in a large bowl, add 6-8 cups of water and soak overnight in the refrigerator. Rinse water 2 times

Drain beans and place in a large pot with 6 cups of hot broth, onion, diced green chili, cumin, salt, oregano, cayenne and liquid smoke (optional).

Bring to a simmer with lid slightly ajar for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until desired tenderness is reached. Stir in chopped tomatoes at the last half hour of the cooking time.

INSTANT POT PINTO BEANS INSTRUCTIONS

Rinse and sort beans removing any stones.

Place beans in the Instant Pot inner cooking pot. Add 6 cups of broth, diced onion, diced chili, cumin, salt, oregano cayenne, diced tomatoes, and liquid smoke (optional).

Stir ingredients together.

Cover with the lid and place the vent in the SEALED position. Press MANUAL mode and add 30 minutes to the timer. Allow the steam to release naturally for 20 minutes.

HOW TO MAKE REFRIED BEANS

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CANNED PINTO BEANS

When using canned beans you will only need top open the can and drain the beans. I always like to give canned beans a rinse to remove some of the sodium since I like to add my own spices.

STEP 1: SAUTE ONION

Add oil in a large skillet to medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, then add the garlic. Cook just until the garlic incorporates into the onions.

STEP 2: WARM BEANS

Add the prepared beans with ¼ cup of broth or water, season with salt and pepper. On medium heat, warm for about 2 minutes.

STEP 3: MASH AND SIMMER

Mash beans with a potato masher. Continue to mash to get the consistency you prefer. Add more broth or water if the beans get dry. If the beans are soupy, simmer until the liquid evaporates to your liking.

REFRIED BEANS FOR SEASONED PINTO BEANS – CROCK POT, STOVE TOP, INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS

Precooked Mexican pinto beans are already seasoned with garlic, onion, green chiles, and spices. Use the bean broth from the beans for the most flavor when adding a liquid to make the beans creamy.

STEP 1: WARM BEANS

Add prepared beans with 1/4 cup of bean broth to a large skillet. Turn to medium heat to warm beans for 2 minutes.

STEP 2: MASH AND SIMMER

With a potato masher, smash beans to get the creamy consistency you prefer. Add more broth or water to the beans if the beans get dry. If the beans are soupy, simmer until the liquid evaporates to your liking.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH REFRIED BEANS

There are so many delicious mexican dishes that go great with refried beans. Here are a few of our favorites.

• Taco Salad
• Burrito Bowl
• Enchiladas
• Chimichangas
• Tamales
• Fajitas
• Mexican Shredded Beef

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

Looking for a way to change up this delicious homemade refried beans recipe? Here are a few ways that you can do that.

• You can use any type of bean in this recipe. Black beans, kidney beans, or even white beans would work great.
• For a little extra flavor, you could add some diced jalapeño peppers, hot sauce, diced bell pepper, red onions, white onion, or even a splash of lime juice.
• You can also customize these refried beans to your liking by using different seasonings or spices.
• If you are not a fan of smoky flavor, leave the liquid smoke out.
• Top with some fresh cilantro for a fresh taste.
• A bay leaf added to the mexican beans will give a deeper flavor to this great recipe.

HOW TO STORE

Refried beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

You can also freeze this easy recipe for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove.

Reheat refried beans on the stove over low heat until warm. You may need to add a little broth or water to get the desired consistency.

FAQS 

Do you have questions about this delicious recipe? Here are the answers to the commonly asked questions.

MORE RECIPES WITH BEANS THAT YOU MAY ENJOY

• Ham and Bean Soup – make in a Crock Pot
• White Bean Chili with Turkey – warm white chili with turkey.
• Easy Taco Soup Recipe – hearty soup with beans and ground beef.
• Chili Beans – perfect for a bbq