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)

Chicken Mole
Chicken with a thick, savory sauce sprinkled with sesame seeds and served with rice and broccoli on a plate.

Chicken Mole

A flavorful chicken recipe with a rich and smoky sauce.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
7 cups
Dry-Roasted Garbanzo Beans
Bowl filled to the brim with baked and seasoned garbanzo beans.

Dry-Roasted Garbanzo Beans

Enjoy these protein and fiber-filled garbanzo beans as a snack, or add them to your favorite dishes for crispy texture.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Parmesan Peas
Platter of peas and parmesan with a lemon slice.

Parmesan Peas

A quick and easy recipe of buttery peas with creamy parmesan and a hint of lemon. Ready in minutes!
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Pineapple Veggie Chicken
Medium bowl of chicken, pineapple and vegetables in broth served with rice.

Pineapple Veggie Chicken

Chicken breast simmered in a sweet and tangy broth with a hint of citrus, garlic and ginger.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Easy Manicotti
Plate of stuffed cheese pasta with red sauce and fresh parsley.

Easy Manicotti

Tender pasta loaded with creamy cheeses, fresh herbs and tangy tomato sauce.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Cook:
20 minutes
Makes:
14 Filled shells
Quick Lasagna
Skillet of layered flat pasta, beef, sauce and cheese.

Quick Lasagna

This lasagna uses just one pan and is ready in 45 minutes.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
45 minutes
Makes:
9 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.