Refried Beans Homemade
Dive into the rich, authentic taste of homemade refried beans with this easy-to-follow recipe! Made from scratch with tender, slow-simmered dried pinto beans, aromatic garlic, and diced onion, these refried beans are elevated with the creamy richness of lard or vegetable oil and warm spices like cumin and black pepper. With an optional hint of lime juice for a zesty twist, this versatile dish is the perfect side for Mexican-inspired meals or as a flavorful filling for tacos, burritos, and more. Ready in just over two hours, this recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a comforting, protein-packed delight that’s both satisfying and budget-friendly. Say goodbye to canned beans — once you try these irresistible refried beans from scratch, you won’t go back!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried pinto beans
- 8 cups water
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon (optional) lime juice
Instructions
Rinse the pinto beans under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
In a large pot, combine the pinto beans, water, diced onion, garlic cloves, and the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the beans simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are very tender. Stir occasionally and add more water if needed to keep the beans covered.
Once the beans are cooked, discard the bay leaf and drain the beans, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
In a large skillet, heat the lard or vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the cooked beans to the skillet and mash them using a potato masher or the back of a spoon.
Add the reserved cooking liquid a little at a time to reach your desired consistency. The beans should be creamy but not runny.
Stir in the salt, ground cumin, and ground black pepper. Cook the mashed beans for an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until they reach the consistency you like.
Optional: Stir in the lime juice for a touch of brightness.
Serve the refried beans warm as a side dish or use them as a filling for tacos, burritos, or other Mexican dishes.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
138 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 4.9 g | 6% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.0 g | 10% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 5 mg | 2% | |
| Sodium | 801 mg | 35% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18.4 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.7 g | 20% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.2 g | ||
| Protein | 5.7 g | 11% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 72 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 306 mg | 7% | |
*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.
