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    Recipes » Side Dish » Mexican Sides

    Easy Homemade Refried Beans

    Published: Oct 12, 2017 · Modified: Jun 9, 2020 by Marissa Stevens · 36 Comments

    Gluten Free

    This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Homemade refried beans served in a small cast iron skillet

    Until recently, I'd never considered making Homemade Refried Beans. Now I doubt I'll ever do otherwise.

    Homemade Refried Beans served in a cast iron skillet

    Have you ever wondered how to make refried beans? They are so easy and the flavor and texture is far superior to what you'll eat from a can. 

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    • Perfectly Paired With:
    • How to Make Homemade Refried Beans
    • Recipe Video
    • Homemade Refried Beans
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    Most of the recipes I looked at for making refried beans have you mashing them with a potato masher and that's a perfectly great method. But if you lean toward lazy **ahem**, toss them in the food processor and whirl them to just the consistency you're after. Just a few pulses and you'll have lots of little bean chunks, or continue pulsing until the beans are creamy. Then reheat on your stovetop.

    Homemade Refried Beans served in a skillet

    FAQ

    What kind of beans are refried beans made from?

    I recommend cooking dried beans (pinto beans or black beans) for this refried bean recipe, it's really easy to do in your slow cooker with this salt soak method. And you'll want some fat in these to give them that creamy, smooth texture. I had some leftover bacon fat which infused these cooked beans with fabulous flavor. But stock or bean cooking liquid and non-hydrogenated lard or olive oil (for a vegan version) will also work well.

    Can I freeze refried beans?

    Refried beans freeze well. Once the beans have cooled, divide them into portions that suit how you plan to use them and freeze in freezer bags or freezer safe containers. Use within a couple of months.

    Perfectly Paired With:

    • Carne Asada (Authentic and delicious - it's a house favorite!)
    • Carne Asada Tacos (Layer the beans on the tortillas or serve them on the side!)
    • Carne Asada Nachos (A perfect addition to all the other delicious toppings!)
    • Shrimp Tacos (Easy to make and I bet they'll be the best you've ever tasted!)
    • Mexican Corn on the Cob (Traditional Mexican street corn!)
    • Chicken Tostadas (Make them full size with these Tostada Shells that are crisp and baked not fried or make them bite-size, see post for directions.)
    • Lamb Barbacoa (The juiciest, most flavorful shredded lamb with a simple slow cooker recipe!)

    How to Make Homemade Refried Beans

    Step 1: Finely chop onion and garlic cloves (ideally in a food processor). Soften in bacon grease; season with cumin and crushed red pepper.

    Step 2: Add cooked pinto beans to onion mixture; cook and stir until softened and heated through. Transfer bean mixture to food processor and process to desired texture (or use potato masher), adding liquid as necessary. Serve.

    final steps of making homemade refried beans

    Recipe Video

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    Homemade Refried-Beans served in a skillet featured

    Homemade Refried Beans

    Marissa Stevens
    I cooked my pinto beans in the slow cooker a salt soak method (see recipe note #2 for method). You could also use canned pinto beans.
    5 from 5 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 165 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cup bacon fat non-hydrogenated lard, or olive oil
    • ½ onion minced
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • pinch crushed red pepper
    • 3 cups cooked pinto beans (freshly cooked or 2 15.5 ounce cans drained, reserving liquid)
    • ½ cup bean cooking liquid or broth or more, see recipe note #1
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Heat fat or oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until softened and onion is nearly translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika and crushed red pepper. Add beans and bean cooking liquid or stock. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook and stir until beans are heated through and begin to break down, about 5 minutes.
    • Transfer bean mixture to food processor and pulse until beans reach desired consistency and return to pan. Or mash beans in the pan with potato masher or back of a spoon to your desired consistency. Serve.

    Notes

    1. To reach your desired consistency, feel free to add more broth or bean cooking liquid - I add as much as 1 cup as I like my refried beans very creamy. Also note that the beans will thicken as they cool. Adjust seasoning as needed.
    2. To cook beans with the salt soak method: soak dry beans overnight in a ratio of 1 pound of dry beans to 6 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of fine sea salt. The next day, give them a quick rinse and cover them by 1-inch in a slow cooker. Then cook on low until tender, creamy and flavorful.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 4gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 245mgPotassium: 255mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 82IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword Cinco de Mayo, easy, from scratch
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Mexican Sides

    • Mexican Corn on the Cob
    • 50+ Recipes to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo!
    • Rice Cooker Mexican Rice
    • Mexican Cauliflower Rice

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Brigid Devney-Rye says

      July 17, 2022 at 8:10 am

      5 stars
      Made this using my InstaPot today and then using the food processor makes it even easier. Will never buy again. I feel much better knowing exactly what is in my food. Is there any reason to then put the beans in the frying pan to get the "refried" step? I've looked at several recipes and don't get that part. Thank you for your recipe!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        July 17, 2022 at 4:13 pm

        So glad you're enjoying the recipe, Brigid! The 'refrying' is really just the step of the recipe where you add seasonings and make sure that the beans reach the texture you're after.

        Reply
    2. Joanie says

      May 22, 2021 at 4:32 pm

      5 stars
      Made this today using the overnight soaking method (wanted to try making from scratch), and man oh man, are they good!!! Way better than canned--so much more flavor!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 24, 2021 at 8:15 am

        This is wonderful to hear, Joanie! Thank you for coming back to let me know!

        Reply
    3. Adam says

      May 03, 2019 at 1:36 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great recipe! I make it all the time now and I had never before made refried beans (or much less thought about making them myself). Thanks for making the recipe available!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        May 05, 2019 at 10:31 pm

        Thanks so much, Adam! I'm so glad you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    4. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

      October 17, 2017 at 8:34 am

      Bacon fat must have added extra flavor to your beans and I like how you served them.

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 17, 2017 at 9:46 am

        Thanks so much, Karen!

        Reply
    5. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says

      October 16, 2017 at 6:26 pm

      You know what? I love bean dips or mashed beans, but I think I've never tried refried beans. Cooked in bacon fat, that must be dedelicious, and I should try this. I would add a little of smoked paprika, and also I clearly see some chopped walnuts would be a nice addition. Anyways, this looks and sounds delicious. Thank you, Marissa!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 17, 2017 at 9:47 am

        Smoke paprika is a great idea, Ben!

        Reply
    6. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

      October 14, 2017 at 2:31 pm

      I love how easy this looks Marissa!! We love refried beans with our huevos some mornings, and they're awesome with quesadillas. This'll be so much better than the canned stuff!!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 17, 2017 at 9:48 am

        Oh yeah - perfect for huevos!! Thanks, my friend...

        Reply
    7. Dorothy Dunton says

      October 13, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      Hi Marissa! YES too bacon greese!! Give me a bowl of these beans and some homemade tortillas and I am one very happy gal ! Might need a good beer to go with... I would add some chipotle just because I love it so much!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 14, 2017 at 12:14 pm

        You and me too, my friend! Simple pleasures!!

        Reply
    8. David @ Spiced says

      October 13, 2017 at 4:53 am

      Oh man, bacon fat really would be an excellent addition here! I've never, ever though about making my own refried beans at home, but they are such a versatile ingredient. They're perfect as either a side dish by themselves or in a taco. In fact, we're having tacos tonight. I might just need to make a batch of refried beans to go along with those tacos! Yum!!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 14, 2017 at 12:14 pm

        I hope you try them, David!! That little bit of bacon fat really gives them an extra hit of flavor! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      October 12, 2017 at 4:48 pm

      5 stars
      I love refried beans!! Hubby and I used to use them a lot for quesadillas with tons and tons of cheese and we haven't had in such a long time. I'll have to try your recipe with them soon! So so so much better than store bought! Have a lovely weekend, my friend! XO

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 14, 2017 at 12:15 pm

        Thank you, Dawn! You have a lovely weekend too! XO

        Reply
    10. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

      October 12, 2017 at 2:54 pm

      I haven't made my own refried beans in years! I remember it being a more laborious process than you describe; I'll have to try your method because I tend toward lazy, haha!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 14, 2017 at 12:16 pm

        I'm the first to admit that I tend toward lazy too - love an easy recipe! 😉

        Reply
    11. annie@ciaochowbambina says

      October 12, 2017 at 1:06 pm

      5 stars
      Gosh, it's been a long time since I've had them and they certainly were not homemade. You have inspired me! My kids will be so happy!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 14, 2017 at 12:18 pm

        Yay! I love to hear that, Annie! xo

        Reply
    12. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      October 12, 2017 at 12:43 pm

      Never thought of making my own Marissa, but I'm totally game! It looks sooo easy! And delicious!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 14, 2017 at 12:18 pm

        They're so good, Mary Ann! I hope you give them a go. 🙂

        Reply
    13. Teffy @ Teffy's Perks says

      November 13, 2014 at 2:13 am

      Mmmmmm I love refried beans!! They're my favourite part (along with avocado!) of tex mex food!
      I've never made my own, and now I'm smacking myself in the forehead with an aha! moment! Need to make it!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 13, 2014 at 9:41 am

        Thanks, Teffy. I think you'll love them!

        Reply
    14. Eileen says

      November 06, 2014 at 5:45 pm

      I'm always so excited to see people getting into homemade refried beans! So easy and so worth it. I've never used anything beyond a simple wooden spoon to mash mine -- pinto beans pretty much dissolve on contact anyway!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 06, 2014 at 6:09 pm

        That's a great tip Eileen! I don't own a potato masher - but wooden spoons, I have a drawer full!

        Reply
    15. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

      November 06, 2014 at 2:16 pm

      I've never thought to make my own but it would be so much better. Thanks Marissa! 😀

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 06, 2014 at 6:10 pm

        Me either until recently - what a difference!

        Reply
    16. Cris says

      November 06, 2014 at 12:53 pm

      I haven't tried refried beans yet. However this recipe of yours sounds so quick and easy - exactly the kinda snack I like. Yum!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 06, 2014 at 1:39 pm

        Thanks, Cris! Definitely a satisfying snack...

        Reply
    17. Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says

      November 06, 2014 at 11:51 am

      I love, love, love homemade refried beans. They are SO much more flavorful than canned! And Marissa - extra credit for using the word 'zizz'. You rock my sistah! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 06, 2014 at 1:38 pm

        You crack me up, Kristi. Zizz is what it sounds like, don't you think? 😉

        Reply
    18. Shashi at runninsrilankan says

      November 06, 2014 at 7:07 am

      You make homemade refried beans sound so easy! I don't buy the canned stuff- but I could eat your version with a shovel!!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        November 06, 2014 at 7:54 am

        haha! 😉 Thank, Shashi!!

        Reply

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