How to Recipes/ Side Dishes BY: PUBLISHED: 04/21/2021  UPDATED: 01/19/2024

Refried Beans

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The best Mexican side dish is refried beans and so easy to make!

The easiest refried beans you ever tasted. Take a look at this refried beans recipe. Only requires 6 ingredients and is done in no time.

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If you ever order these at your favorite Mexican restaurant you can now make them at home and they taste even better. With just 6 ingredients you can have this recipe on the table in less than 15 minutes. A very easy recipe to make. So, are you ready to learn how to make refried beans? Let’s get started!

What You Need For This Recipe

To make this tasty refried beans side dish you need a limited number of ingredients. Take a look at the list below that you need to get from your grocery store:

  • Pinto beans – you can use pinto beans or red kidney beans
  • Onion – use a small white onion or a sweet white onion
  • Garlic – mince fresh garlic
  • Seasoning – season the beans with chili powder
  • Cumin – to add more flavor use cumin
  • Olive oil – you need oil to sautee the onion, garlic and beans

Note that the full ingredients list, including measurements, can be found in the recipe card below.

Refried beans ingredients

How To Make Refried Beans

  1. To make this recipe start with heating a skillet or pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, mince the garlic, finely chop the onion, and add to the oil.
  2. Stir the onion mix continuously for about a minute. Then add the pinto beans with the aquafaba liquid from the can. Let them warm through.
  3. Take a fork or a potato masher and mash the pinto beans into a mash. Now it is time to add in the cumin and chili powder. Keep on stirring them and mash them until you have the texture you desire.
  4. It should resemble soft mashed potatoes. This will take about 5 minutes. Season them with a pinch of salt to taste and they are ready to serve.

The best Mexican side dish these refried beans are great to make from scratch. It only requires 6 ingredients and is on the table in no time. Great to serve with some great Mexican main dishes.

Refried Beans Recipe

This might be the easiest refried beans you ever come across. You can use it as the base ingredient for recipes like chimichangas, and tostada but also pupusa or arepas.

It gives flavor and texture to your tortilla recipes. You can almost use it like a dip similar to this black bean salsa. This recipe is gluten-free and it is vegan. So what more do you want in your side dish?

The best Mexican side dish these refried beans are great to make from scratch. It only requires 6 ingredients and is on the table in no time. Great to serve with some great Mexican main dishes.

Why Are Refried Beans Called Refried Beans?

You may think that the refried part in this bean recipe has something to do with the beans being fried twice. However, that is not the case.

This dish is called frijoles refritos in Spanish. Refritos means fried and the beans have to cook long enough to soften.

To do that the beans are cooked in water. Originally this recipe was made with dried beans but you can easily make this recipe with canned ones.

The best Mexican side dish these refried beans are great to make from scratch. It only requires 6 ingredients and is on the table in no time. Great to serve with some great Mexican main dishes.

What Type Of Beans Are Used For Refried Beans?

Traditionally this recipe is made with dried pinto beans that are left in water overnight however you have options. If you want to make it fast then use canned ones as these are already nice and soft.

You can also make this recipe with:

  • Red kidney beans
  • Black beans
  • Navy beans

The best Mexican side dish these refried beans are great to make from scratch. It only requires 6 ingredients and is on the table in no time. Great to serve with some great Mexican main dishes.

Can You Freeze Refried Beans?

Yes, you can! Refried beans are a great dish to freeze! As opposed to a lot of dishes this dish doesn’t change the texture.

Freeze them in a freezer-friendly container or a resealable bag. You can keep it for up to 2 months. Do not leave it in the freezer too long else the beans can become a bit dry.

If they are dry add a bit of water or olive oil when you reheat them.

The best Mexican side dish these refried beans are great to make from scratch. It only requires 6 ingredients and is on the table in no time. Great to serve with some great Mexican main dishes.

How To Reheat Refried Beans?

You have several ways to reheat refried beans:

  • Cast-iron skillet – you can reheat refried beans in a cast-iron skillet. Preheat the skillet to medium. Add the beans into the skillet, add one or two tablespoons, and stir it through. Warm it through and serve
  • Instant Pot – you can also reheat your refried beans in two ways in an Instant Pot. Either select the keep warm option and add the beans. Stir every couple of minutes and check to see if they are warm enough. Put a cup of water in your Instant Pot and add the beans into a heat-resistant bowl. Put it on a trivet and select Manual or Pressure cook for 2 minutes and quick-release
  • Oven – you can also preheat the oven to 350℉/175℃. Put the beans in an oven-safe dish and cover them with aluminum foil. Warm for 7 minutes or until warm
  • Microwave – you can also warm your beans in the microwave. Put it in a microwave-safe dish and heat in bursts of 30 seconds or until warmed through

The best Mexican side dish these refried beans are great to make from scratch. It only requires 6 ingredients and is on the table in no time. Great to serve with some great Mexican main dishes.

How To Serve Refried Beans?

You can serve this dish with a lot of great meals. So, serve them with:

The best Mexican side dish these refried beans are great to make from scratch. It only requires 6 ingredients and is on the table in no time. Great to serve with some great Mexican main dishes.

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Refried beans

Refried Beans

Serves: 2 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 5 minutes

The easiest refried beans you ever tasted. Take a look at this refried beans recipe. Only requires 6 ingredients and is done in no time.

Ingredients

  • 1 can pinto beans
  • Small Onion
  • 1 clove Garlic
  • 1/2 tbsp Chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • Olive oil

Instructions

  1. Heat a skillet or pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, mince the garlic, finely chop the onion and add to the oil
  2. Stir the onion mix continuously for about a minute. Then add the pinto beans with the aquafaba liquid from the can. Let the beans warm through
  3. Take a fork or a potato masher and mash the pinto beans into a mash. Now it is time to add in the cumin and chili powder
  4. Keep on stirring the beans and mash until you have the texture you desire. It should resemble soft mashed potatoes. This will take about 5 minutes
  5. Season your beans with a pinch of salt to taste and they are ready to serve

Nutrition facts

Calories: 239; Fat: 8.3g; Carbs: 33g; Protein: 10.5g;

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