Skip to main content

Refried Beans

Make your own flavorful and satisfying refried beans at home with this 15-minute recipe.
Cooking for a Crowd

Cooking for a Crowd

Use these recipe sheets to prepare for larger groups:

Small bowl of mashed beans garnished with cilantro.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Makes: 1 cup
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

1 ¼ cups or 1 can (15 to 16 ounces) cooked beans (pinto or other type)
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons chopped onion
1 clove minced garlic or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon cumin (or ½ teaspoon chili powder)

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Drain beans and reserve liquid. Rinse canned beans to reduce sodium.
  3. Heat oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until onion is soft.
  4. Mash beans and cumin into onion mixture in skillet. Use a potato masher or back of a spoon.
  5. Add reserved liquid or water (1 Tablespoon or more) until the mixture reaches the thickness you want.
  6. Cook and stir until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes.
  7. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Try adding cilantro on top for more flavor.

Comments

Great recipe!  And all from the pantry.  We made ours the night before for quesidillas the next night.  We warmed them up in the microwave and then added a bit of water to smooth them out.  YUMMY!

I never realized homemade refried beans could be so easy!  I like mine spicy, so I use cumin and chili powder or cayenne pepper.

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Pesto
Small bowl of pesto served with scrambled eggs.

Pesto

Pesto is a bright green sauce that can be enjoyed many ways. Freeze extra to have for meals and to season soups and sauces all year.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
2 ¼ cups
Roasted Radishes with Peas
Plates of a vibrant pea and radish mix.

Roasted Radishes with Peas

Mild, slightly sweet, roasted radishes paired with bright and creamy peas, dill and lemon make the perfect side to any meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Skillet Corn Chowder
Bowls of creamy corn soup garnished with microgreens.

Skillet Corn Chowder

Only 5 ingredients to make this creamy, cheesy, and comforting chowder.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Sautéed Cauliflower Rice
Two bowls of grated cauliflower garnished with parsley.

Sautéed Cauliflower Rice

A fun alternative to rice, this cauliflower rice is a great way to add more veggies to your meals.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Ginger Almond Asparagus
Sauteed asparagus slices with slivered almonds in a small bowl.

Ginger Almond Asparagus

A healthy vegetable side dish idea combines delicious sauteed asparagus with the perfect crunch of almonds.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 Cups
Hummus (with tahini)
Hummus garnished with parsley served with carrot sticks, celery and radishes.

Hummus (with tahini)

Homemade hummus dip, blended with lemon, garlic, and tahini. Perfect for dipping veggies or pita!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
1 Cup
Was this page helpful to you?