Why You Should Make (Not Buy) Refried Beans
The Situation: You’ve got guests coming over tonight after work, so you thought you’d make a casual Mexican dinner you can throw together in less than an hour. You pick up all the ingredients needed for your main dish. You grab what you need to make simple Spanish Rice. But then you reach for the canned refried beans and cringe a little. Why is it that refried beans taste so good, yet look and smell so bad from a can? I can’t explain this. But I can tell you I would always rather make them from scratch, than plop a cylinder of gelatinous stinky refried beans out of a can. Homemade Refried Beans not only look, but also smell, and taste better than canned refried beans… They are relatively quick to make and you also have full quality control over the taste and texture. Trust me, it’s worth the few minutes it takes to chop and mash, in order to to have refried beans you will be proud to serve!
The Best Refried Beans Recipe (Canned or Dried!)
We love this “Best” Refried Beans Recipe (Frijoles Refritos), because it’s…
Thick and rich Ultra zesty Authentic tasting Easy to convert to “vegetarian” with one little swap Gluten and dairy-free Made with canned beans or dried beans Made on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot!
That’s right, we are offering 3 methods in today’s recipe. That way, you can cook whichever version makes the most sense for you!
Ingredients You Need
Canned or dried pinto beans – Use canned beans when you are in a hurry, and dried beans when you are watching your budget. Olive oil – Or your choice of fat. Sweet onion Few Cloves Garlic Cilantro Chili powder – Or ground chile (like ancho.) Ground cumin– For a smoky note. Cayenne pepper Bouillon – Use cubes or packets. Pork bouillon will offer the most authentic flavor, but feel free to use chicken or vegetable bouillon. Fresh lime juice Salt and black pepper Water
How To Make Refried Beans from Canned Beans
The quickie method…
How To Make Refried Beans from Dried Beans (Stovetop)
The lower-sodium budget-friendly method…
How To Make Instant Pot Refried Beans
For IP fans who don’t want to soak the beans…
How Long Will Beans Last In The Fridge?
These beans can last in your fridge for 5-6 days if it is stored in an airtight container. You can even freeze these beans for up to 8 months in the freezer!
Are Refried Beans Gluten-Free?
Yes, as long as the bouillon you buy is gluten-free the recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free as well. Most brands are, but check the label to be sure.
Are Instant Pot Refried Beans Vegetarian?
That depends on the type of bouillon you select. Buy vegetable bouillon for a true vegetarian refried beans recipe.
Do You Really Have to Soak Dried Beans Overnight for the Stovetop Method?
Yes and no. Most bags of beans offer overnight soaking instructions, and a quick-soak method. I find the quick-soak method produces a slightly firmer bean texture, that is not as good for refried beans. If you don’t have time to soak the beans overnight, I suggest using canned beans, or going with the pressure cooker method.
Can You Make Instant Pot Refried Beans with Canned Beans?
Yes, but… If you make refried beans (with canned beans) in the Instant Pot, you simply follow the stovetop instructions. Therefore, unless you don’t have stovetop burners, or are using all your burners for other dishes, you might as well make the recipe on the stovetop.
How do you think the recipe would be adjusted if you were HALVING the recipe?
Even though we have different cooking variables in the recipe, you can easily halve this recipe and keep the cooking times on all three methods. Just use a smaller-sized pot for stovetop cooking.
Can I make a Refried Black Beans Recipe with this method?
Yes, you can make this recipe with black beans! Simply follow the instructions as directed below.
Serve Refried Beans With…
Perfect Baked Plantains Caribbean Confetti Rice Easy Spanish Rice Quick Carne Asada Best Slow Cooker Carnitas Authentic Sopes Crockpot Mexican Meatloaf Cuban Ropa Vieja Belizean Garnachas (Tostadas)
Other Great Mexican-Inspired Recipes
Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe with Roasted Chili Chicken Chipotle Burrito Bowls Recipe Chicken Tinga Tacos Recipe (Instant Pot and Stove Top) Best Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe Brazilian Feijoada (Pork and Black Bean Stew Recipe) Pan con Tomate Recipe (Tomato Bread) Gambas al Ajillo Recipe – Asheville’s Cúrate Tapas Bar Black Beans Sweet Potato Skillet Enchiladas
Check the printable recipe card below for this side dish’s nutrition information including calories, protein, sodium, fiber, and calcium percentages. Share This Recipe With Friends!
