Easy Homemade Refried Beans Recipe
Homemade refried beans are full of flavor and deliciously creamy. They are easy to make and pair wonderfully with a variety of dishes.
Servings: 8 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups pinto beans soaked overnight
- 1 teaspoon salt for cooking the beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- More salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 cup reserved bean water from cooking the pinto beans
- Optional toppings: crumbly Mexican cheese cotija, cilantro, and fresh lime.
Instructions
- Rinse the pinto beans in a colander and place them in a medium mixing bowl or pot. Cover with about 3 inches of water and soak overnight.
- Drain and rinse the beans again, then add them to a saucepan and cover with fresh water by about 2 inches.
- Add 1 teaspoon salt, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 60 minutes, or until the beans are tender. Reserve about 1 cup of the cooking liquid before draining the beans.
- Return the cooked beans to the pot and mash with a potato masher until mostly smooth.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat. Sauté the onion until softened, about 5–7 minutes, then stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the mashed beans to the skillet and stir in about half a cup of the reserved bean liquid, and add little more at a time, until the beans reach your desired consistency.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and stir again.
- Cook for another 3–5 minutes, stirring often, until heated through and creamy. Serve!
Notes
If you want a little heat, add diced jalapeño with the onion.
Pinto beans can vary in cooking time depending on age, so continue simmering if they are not tender after 60 minutes.
If the beans start looking dry while cooking, add a splash more of reserved bean liquid until they’re creamy again.
These beans thicken as they cool, so you may want to loosen them with a bit of warm water or chicken broth when reheating.
Homemade refried beans freeze very well for quick meals later on.
These beans thicken as they cool, so you may want to loosen them with a bit of warm water or chicken broth when reheating.
Homemade refried beans freeze very well for quick meals later on.
Nutrition
Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 294mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg