Perfect Homemade Refried Beans Recipe

pinto beans

🥗Healthier: black beans

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Black beans are more nutritious, while canned beans save time and money.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil is healthier, while canola oil is often cheaper.

Add rinsed dried pinto beans to a large pot along with half of an onion, a bay leaf, whole garlic cloves, and a handful of cilantro sprigs tied together for easy removal.

Cover the beans with at least three inches of water and bring to a simmer on the stove.

Reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer and cook until the beans are extremely tender, about 1.5 to 2 hours.

If the beans look dry during cooking, add a splash more water to the pot.

Once the beans are done, season them with salt and remove the onion, bay leaf, and cilantro. The garlic cloves can stay.

Transfer the beans to a bowl and save the cooking liquid in another container.

Finely chop some onion and mince some garlic.

Heat vegetable oil, butter, or lard in a pot and add the chopped onion; cook until it smells sweet.

Stir in minced garlic, cumin, and a bit of cayenne pepper, cooking until fragrant.

Add the cooked beans to the pot and stir until heated through.

Add some of the saved cooking liquid to the beans and use a potato masher or the back of a large spoon to mash the beans to your desired consistency.

If the beans seem dry while mashing, add a splash more cooking liquid.

Serve the beans as is or top with fresh tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and jalapenos.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary