Easy Refried Beans Recipe
This is a very popular dish in Mexico and other Latin American countries, where it is commonly used as a side dish for other dishes and preparations. It consists of refried beans that have already been cooked with onion and mashed into a purée.
This time, the beans are served with nachos and some slices of pickled jalapeño pepper, although they can also be served with tortillas or with crumbled fresh cheese on top.
To prepare this recipe, you can use canned beans that are already cooked, or you can cook them yourself at home. If you choose to cook them yourself, you’ll use the cooking liquid instead of water to cook the refried beans.
These refried beans can be made drier or more soupy, depending on your preference. In this recipe, they are prepared on the drier side to enjoy with nachos or tortilla chips. If you prefer them more soupy, simply add a little more water or broth.
How to Make Refried Beans at Home?
Beans, along with rice and corn, form one of the three staples of Mexican cuisine. Other staples include tomatoes, chili peppers, and onions.
Today, the focus is on beans, specifically perfect refried beans, which are commonly called “chinitos”.
Recipe Information:
Time and Yield
- Preparation time: 5 minutes
- Cooking time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 20 minutes
Details
- Type of dish: Basics
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Portions: 2 cups
- Calories: 563 kcal
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cooked beans with some broth | 3 cups |
| White onion, finely chopped | ⅓ cup |
| Fat (lard, bacon, or chorizo) | 3 tablespoons |
| Salt | To taste |
| Fresh Mexican cheese (to garnish) | As needed |
| Totopos or toasted corn tortillas (to serve) | As needed |
Instructions
- Heat the oil or lard in a frying pan over medium-low heat.
- Fry the onions until they are translucent and begin to brown.
- Add the beans and mash them with a metal or wooden masher until you have a very fine paste.
- Mix well with the onions until a smooth purée forms, stirring and scraping the sides and bottom of the pan.
- If desired, add a little more oil at this stage.
- Tilt the pan and shape the bean paste into a roll, flipping slightly if desired.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning. The beans are ready when they pull away from the sides of the pan.
- Serve on a plate, sprinkle with fresh cheese, and garnish with corn tortilla chips.
Read Also: How to Prevent Apples From Browning?
Video Guide 📽️
Notes
- You can add chopped bacon before the onions.
- Chorizo can also be used instead of lard.
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount | Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 563 kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 70 g | 23% |
| Protein | 23 g | 46% |
| Fat | 23 g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 2 g | 13% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7 g | — |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 14 g | — |
| Trans Fat | 1 g | — |
| Sodium | 585 mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 1157 mg | 33% |
| Fiber | 24 g | 100% |
| Sugar | 2 g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 1 IU | — |
| Vitamin C | 4 mg | 5% |
| Calcium | 124 mg | 12% |
| Iron | 5 mg | 28% |
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make refried beans drier or more soupy?
Yes, the consistency can be adjusted. Add more water or broth if you prefer a softer texture.
Can I use canned beans?
Yes, canned cooked beans work well and save time.
What can I serve with refried beans?
They pair well with nachos, tortillas, fresh cheese, or as a side dish for other meals.
Conclusion
Refried beans are a classic Mexican staple that are easy to prepare and highly versatile.
Whether served dry with nachos or slightly soupy, they remain a flavorful and comforting addition to many dishes while using simple, accessible ingredients.
