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. Rinse or scrub fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Drain beans and reserve liquid. Rinse canned beans to reduce sodium.
  4. Heat oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until onion is soft.
  5. Mash beans and cumin into onion mixture in skillet. Use a potato masher or back of a spoon.
  6. Add reserved liquid or water (1 Tablespoon or more) until the mixture reaches the thickness you want.
  7. Cook and stir until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes.
  8. 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)

Red Potato and Cabbage (Colcannon)
Medium bowl of creamy potato and cabbage mix.

Red Potato and Cabbage (Colcannon)

This traditional Irish dish is a satisfying combination of creamy mashed potatoes and flavorful cabbage.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Baked Oatmeal Cups
Plate of Baked Oatmeal Cups

Baked Oatmeal Cups

Oatmeal plus your choice of add-ins are baked into a muffin cup for an on-the-go breakfast or snack.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
12 muffins
Pasta Salad
Macaroni noodles with ham, vegetables and dressing.

Pasta Salad

Enjoy this simple Spring and Summer side dish.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
6 cups
Ants on a Log
Celery sticks spread with peanut butter and topped with raisins are displayed on a plate in a pinwheel formation. In the middle of the plate is a celery and peanut butter stick with mini pretzels extending out of the peanut butter like the wings of a butterfly.

Ants on a Log

Have some fun with this snack! Peanut butter, raisins and your imagination can be used to fill and decorate crunchy celery sticks.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 servings
Peach and Carrot Smoothie
Glasses of a smooth, orange smoothie with straws.

Peach and Carrot Smoothie

A sweet and refreshing smoothie that's perfect for adding more veggies to your day.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
3 cups
Fruited Tabouli
Large bowl of a colorful mix of bulgur, fruit and vegetables.

Fruited Tabouli

A tasty mix of grains, sweet grapes, and pops of mint and lemon. Perfect for a summer BBQ!
Prepare:
30 minutes
Cook:
5 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.