Light Refried Black Beans
Elevate your side dishes with these Light Refried Black Beans—an easy, flavorful, and healthy twist on a Tex-Mex classic. Made with tender black beans, aromatic sautéed onions, and fragrant spices like cumin and smoked paprika, this recipe is simmered to perfection with a touch of olive oil and a splash of vegetable broth. It takes just 25 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights. These creamy-yet-light beans are mashable to your desired consistency, offering endless versatility—as a hearty dip, a taco filling, or a comforting side dish. Garnished with fresh cilantro, they’re packed with bold flavor while staying vegan and gluten-free. Whether you're meal prepping or feeding a crowd, these refried black beans are a must-try addition to your table!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked black beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 0.5 medium yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 0.5 cups water or vegetable broth
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Dice the yellow onion into small pieces and mince the garlic cloves.
Heat a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat and add the olive oil.
Once the oil is shimmering, add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
Add the minced garlic, ground cumin, and smoked paprika. Cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the cooked black beans to the skillet. Stir well to combine the beans with the onion and spice mixture.
Pour in the water or vegetable broth and stir. Allow the beans to simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the beans are heated through.
Use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to mash the beans to your desired consistency. You can leave them slightly chunky or mash them completely smooth.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If the beans are too thick, add a splash of water or broth to reach your preferred consistency.
Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve warm as a side dish, dip, or taco filling.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
985 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 31.7 g | 41% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.0 g | 25% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1665 mg | 72% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 132.8 g | 48% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 47.2 g | 169% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.9 g | ||
| Protein | 47.5 g | 95% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 193 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 13.2 mg | 73% | |
| Potassium | 2068 mg | 44% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
