These Homemade Canned Refried Beans are cooked until soft, then mashed and mixed with spices, and fried until hot and bubbly. They’re absolutely divine served with tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and more!
I love a good Mexican-inspired meal with a huge serving of refried beans on top, or on the side for dipping. Even spread on a slice of hot buttered toast, this condiment is super delicious.
When we have leftover refried canned beans, this stuff goes with almost everything we eat!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Time-saving: Ready in minutes, perfect for busy days.
Versatile: Ideal as a side, filling, or dip for various dishes.
Flavorful & customizable: Easily adaptable to personal taste preferences.
Beginner-friendly: Simple steps, suitable for cooking novices.
No-fuss pantry staples: Uses canned pinto beans, a kitchen staple, and other readily available ingredients.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Homemade Refried Beans
This refried beans recipe requires basic ingredients that you most likely have on hand in your kitchen or pantry all the time. Here’s what you’ll need:
Canned pinto beans: Opt for low-sodium canned beans to control salt levels. You can use canned black beans or kidney beans for a variation.
Butter: Adds richness; consider using unsalted butter to control sodium content. Substitute with vegetable oil or olive oil for a lighter option, or any other animal fat you prefer.
Onion: Adds depth and flavor. Swap with onion powder for convenience or use shallots for a milder taste.
Garlic powder: Convenient alternative to fresh garlic. Use minced fresh garlic if preferred.
Ground cumin: Provides a warm, earthy flavor. Ground coriander can be used as an alternative, though with a slightly different flavor profile.
Dried oregano (optional): Adds a hint of herbal aroma. Fresh oregano or dried Italian seasoning can be used.
Sour cream: Adds creaminess. Greek or plant-based varieties work too.
Salt and pepper: Season gradually, tasting as you go.
How To Make Refried Beans At Home: Step by step
Step 1: Saute Aromatics
In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
Add finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
Step 2: Add Garlic and Spices
Stir in garlic powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano.
Cook briefly until fragrant.
Step 3: Introduce Canned Pinto Beans
Add drained and rinsed canned pinto beans to the skillet.
Mash beans to desired consistency.
Step 4: Cook and Season
Cook mashed beans, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5: Finish with Sour Cream & Serve
Stir in sour cream for added creaminess.
Adjust seasoning if needed, and serve warm.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Enhance flavor with onions: Saute onions until they are golden and fragrant to add a rich flavor base to your refried beans.
Garlic powder vs. fresh garlic: Somehow I prefer the result that garlic powder gives in this recipe. Use fresh garlic if you like a more robust flavor.
Enrich with butter or olive oil: Butter adds richness, but for a “lighter” option, use olive oil.
Texture matters: Mash the beans to your preferred consistency – I like to mash about ¾ of the beans and leave the rest for chunkiness.
Control the heat: Cook the mashed beans over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to prevent burning or sticking to the skillet.
Gradual seasoning: Season with salt and pepper gradually, tasting as you go. Remember that canned beans may already contain some salt.
Add creaminess with sour cream: Stir in sour cream at the end for an extra creamy, tangy finish.
Serving suggestions: Use your homemade refried beans as a side dish, filling, or dip for various Mexican-inspired dishes. Try toppings like cheese, avocado, or salsa for added flair.
Storage
Allow leftover refried beans to cool to room temperature before storing.
Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.
When reheating, add a splash of water to maintain the desired consistency, and ensure they are heated through before serving.
Mexican-inspired Canned Refried Beans FAQs
Yes, you can experiment with black beans or kidney beans for a variation.
Increase the amount of chili powder or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for added heat.
In a few easy steps, these canned refried beans bring the flavors of Mexico to your table.
With pantry staples and simple techniques, enjoy a simple yet delicious side that elevates any meal with no effort at all. Let me know if you try it!
Homemade Refried Bean Dip
Ingredients
- 2 cans 15 oz each pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or vegetable oil
- 1/2 onion finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent.
- Stir in the garlic powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano. If using fresh garlic, add it at this stage and cook until fragrant.
- Add the drained and rinsed pinto beans to the skillet. Mash the beans to your desired consistency using a fork or potato masher.
- Cook the mashed beans, stirring occasionally, until they are heated through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Stir in the sour cream for added creaminess. Cook for an additional minute.
- Remove from heat and serve.
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