Abuelas Refried Beans | Tex-Mex Queen

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.

Lay out dried pinto beans on a clean surface and check for broken beans or debris.

Add the beans to a colander and rinse until the water runs clear.

In a pot, add the rinsed beans, half an onion (sliced in half), 4 whole cloves of garlic (unpeeled), and 2 dried bay leaves.

Fill the pot with water, ensuring the beans are submerged by at least 2 inches.

Bring the pot to a quick boil, then boil for 1 minute.

Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and cook for 2 hours, checking every 30 minutes to ensure there's enough water.

After 2 hours, remove the bay leaves and season the beans with salt to taste, mixing well.

Serve the beans with some broth and garnish with cilantro if desired.

To make refried beans, heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 4 slices of bacon to render the fat.

Once the bacon is crispy, add the cooked beans along with some of the broth to the skillet.

Mash the beans in the skillet with a bean smasher until they reach the desired consistency, allowing them to soak up the bacon fat.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary