Easy & Authentic Homemade Refried Beans: A Quick Mexican Staple for Any Meal
Transform your pantry staples into traditional, homemade refried beans in mere minutes. These flavorful beans are incredibly versatile – top them generously with fresh cilantro, incorporate them directly into your favorite Mexican dishes, serve them as a hearty side, or even bake them with a layer of melted cheese for an irresistible bean dip. Get ready to elevate your culinary game with this simple yet sensational recipe!
It’s that wonderful time again for our eagerly anticipated Freaky Friday blog hop! This collaborative event brings together a fantastic group of food bloggers, each assigned another blogger’s site to explore, create a recipe from, and then share their culinary adventure. It’s a fantastic way to discover new blogs, recipes, and connect with fellow food enthusiasts. I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of it once more, and even more excited to share this particular recipe with you today.
My assignment for this Freaky Friday round led me to the delightful blog, A Dish of Daily Life, helmed by my good friend, Michelle. I’ve been eyeing this particular recipe of hers ever since she first shared it back in September, and I can finally bring it to life in my own kitchen and share my experience with all of you!
The Allure of Mexican Cuisine and Homemade Refried Beans
It’s truly no secret how much I adore Mexican food. For me, tacos aren’t just a meal; they’re practically their own food group! The vibrant flavors, the comforting textures, and the endless possibilities for customization make Mexican dishes a constant source of joy in my kitchen. From sizzling fajitas to hearty enchiladas, there’s always something exciting to explore.
I must admit, I wished I could have shared this incredible refried bean recipe with you last week, right in time for Cinco de Mayo celebrations. However, the delightful unpredictability of the Freaky Friday schedule means we get our assigned pages and spend a couple of months drooling over recipes before the grand reveal. And today is that day! All of us participating bloggers are sharing our chosen recipes simultaneously, meaning our readers not only get to enjoy the recipe we’re showcasing but also discover thirteen other amazing dishes from some of my favorite blogger friends. It’s a win-win for everyone!
A Spotlight on Michelle and A Dish of Daily Life
Before we dive into the delicious details of these refried beans, I really must take a moment to tell you more about my friend Michelle and her fantastic blog, A Dish of Daily Life. Michelle is a truly talented cook and a wonderful person, and her blog is a treasure trove of family-friendly recipes, comforting meals, and inspiring culinary ideas. I’ve had the pleasure of making recipes from her site before, and they have consistently exceeded my expectations.
Her Four Cheese Roasted Garlic Bread is a showstopper, perfect for entertaining or just elevating a weeknight dinner. And her Creamy Tomato Seafood Bisque? Absolutely divine! In fact, the Seafood Bisque has consistently been one of my most pinned recipes on Pinterest, which speaks volumes about its popularity and deliciousness. Her recipes are reliable, flavorful, and always bring a smile to my face.
This time around, when I saw Michelle’s Refried Beans recipe, I knew immediately it was the one. However, it’s impossible to visit “A Dish of Daily Life” without getting sidetracked by all the other mouth-watering creations. While “snooping” (in the best possible way) around her delicious website, I quickly found myself adding several more recipes to my “must-make” list. For instance, she recently shared this incredible Ham, Brie, Apple and Spinach Panini with Homemade Honey Mustard—holy smokes, that’s a sandwich I can definitely get behind! How about you? Her Salsa Verde recipe looks ‘muy bueno’ (very good), and these Spicy Muffin Tin Crab Cakes with Old Bay Remoulade need to get into my kitchen (and my belly) pronto!
Michelle is truly a culinary inspiration, always sharing something yummy and innovative. I highly encourage you to pop over and visit her blog, A Dish of Daily Life, to see just what she’s got cooking in her kitchen. You won’t be disappointed!
Why Homemade Refried Beans Are a Game Changer
While canned refried beans offer convenience, nothing compares to the rich, authentic flavor and texture of a homemade batch. Making them from scratch allows you to control the ingredients, adjust the spice level to your preference, and avoid unnecessary additives or excessive sodium. The depth of flavor you achieve with fresh ingredients and a little love simply can’t be matched by store-bought versions. Plus, it’s incredibly satisfying to create such a staple from scratch, and surprisingly, it’s quicker and easier than you might think!
Ingredients Spotlight: Building Flavor from the Ground Up
- Pinto Beans: The traditional choice for refried beans, pinto beans offer a creamy texture and mild, earthy flavor perfect for mashing. While this recipe uses canned beans for speed, you can certainly cook dried pinto beans from scratch for an even deeper flavor profile (just remember to soak them overnight!).
- Fat of Choice: Michelle’s recipe wisely offers flexibility. Vegetable oil is a neutral choice, letting the bean and spice flavors shine. For a truly authentic and richer flavor, bacon grease or even traditional lard can be used. These fats add a depth and savory note that elevates the entire dish.
- Onion: Sautéing chopped onion until translucent forms the aromatic base of these beans, adding a subtle sweetness and fundamental savory backbone.
- Spices:
- Cumin Seed: A cornerstone of Mexican cuisine, cumin provides a warm, earthy, and slightly pungent flavor that is quintessential to refried beans. Using whole cumin seeds and toasting them briefly with the onions enhances their aroma even further.
- Chili Powder: This blend of ground chiles, cumin, garlic, and other spices adds a mild warmth and complex, smoky flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper: For those who love a bit of heat! Cayenne pepper allows you to customize the spiciness to your taste. Start with half a teaspoon and add more if you dare!
- Beef Stock: Providing a savory liquid base, beef stock adds richness and helps achieve the perfect creamy consistency. Chicken or vegetable stock can be easily substituted depending on dietary preferences or what you have on hand.
- Cilantro: Fresh chopped cilantro is an optional but highly recommended garnish, offering a bright, citrusy, and herbaceous counterpoint to the rich beans.
The Simple Steps to Deliciousness
This recipe comes together incredibly quickly, proving that homemade doesn’t have to mean time-consuming. The process begins with heating your chosen fat in a Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Then, you simply sauté your chopped onion until it becomes beautifully translucent and fragrant. This step softens the onion and releases its sweet aromas, laying a delicious foundation for the beans. Once the onions are ready, it’s time to stir in your essential spices: cumin seed and chili powder. Allowing these to toast briefly with the onions for about a minute helps to awaken their flavors and infuse them deeply into the dish.
Next, add the drained and rinsed canned pinto beans along with the beef stock to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the beans to soften further, making them perfect for mashing. The final, and arguably most fun, step is to remove the pot from the heat and grab your trusty potato masher. Mash the beans to your desired consistency—whether you prefer them chunky with some texture or perfectly smooth and creamy. Stir in the cayenne pepper and salt to taste, adjusting the seasonings until they are just right. A final sprinkle of fresh cilantro adds a bright, refreshing finish.
Look at them! How incredibly yummy and inviting do these refried beans look? The rich color, the creamy texture—they are just begging to be devoured.
Once mashed to perfection, chop up some fresh cilantro and get ready to dig in! The vibrant green of the cilantro adds a beautiful pop of color and an essential fresh, zesty flavor that perfectly complements the hearty beans. I absolutely love growing my own herbs; there’s nothing quite like stepping into the garden and snipping fresh basil, rosemary, or in this case, cilantro, for a recipe. It truly elevates the dish!
Speaking of fresh herbs, these herb scissors are genuinely one of my most used kitchen gadgets. If you’re someone who cooks with fresh herbs regularly, they are an absolute game-changer. They make quick work of chopping herbs evenly and efficiently, saving you time and effort. Get yourself a pair and discover how great they truly are!
Serving Suggestions and Customizations
The beauty of these homemade refried beans lies in their incredible versatility. Beyond being a quintessential side for tacos, burritos, and enchiladas, they can become the star of many other dishes:
- Bean Dip: As mentioned, spread them in a shallow oven-safe dish, top with shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese, and bake until bubbly and golden. Serve with tortilla chips for an irresistible appetizer.
- Breakfast Burritos: Pair them with scrambled eggs, cheese, and salsa for a hearty and flavorful breakfast.
- Tostadas: Spread a layer on crispy tostada shells, then top with shredded lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and your favorite protein.
- Layered Dips: They form a fantastic base for multi-layered Mexican dips.
- Quesadillas: Add a thin layer inside your quesadillas for extra flavor and substance.
- As a Main Dish: Serve a generous portion topped with grilled chicken or steak, a dollop of sour cream, and extra cilantro for a satisfying meal.
Feel free to get creative with customizations! You can add a pinch of smoked paprika for extra depth, a squeeze of fresh lime juice at the end for brightness, or even a diced jalapeño for more heat and fresh flavor. A little bit of shredded cheese stirred directly into the hot beans just after mashing can also add an extra layer of creaminess and indulgence.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover refried beans store beautifully! Allow them to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. They will keep well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. To reheat, gently warm them on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or in the microwave. If they seem a bit thick, add a splash of water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
I followed Michelle’s recipe fairly closely, only making minor adjustments based on my pantry and personal preference. The core of her brilliant recipe shines through, resulting in truly exceptional refried beans. Now, without further ado, let’s get to the detailed recipe, shall we?
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Print Recipe
Easy Homemade Refried Beans
Ingredients
- 1-2 tablespoon vegetable oil or bacon grease
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin seed
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or more to taste
- 3 15.5 ounce cans of pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups beef stock can also sub chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 bunch cilantro leaves chopped (optional)
- salt to taste
Instructions
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Heat oil in a dutch oven over medium-high heat. Saute onion until translucent.
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Add cumin seed and chili powder; stir spices in with onions.
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Add in pinto beans and beef stock, bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium and simmer for about 5 minutes.
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Remove from heat and mash to desired consistency. Stir in cayenne pepper and salt to taste.
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Add in desired amount of cilantro.
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Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
In addition to these incredible refried beans, I actually made TWO of Michelle’s recipes for this Freaky Friday event! The second recipe I whipped up were her amazing PB&J Bars with Strawberry Jam. Of course, I had to put my own little spin on them and used grape jelly instead – that’s just the way I prefer my peanut butter sandwiches, and these bars were no exception! They were absolutely perfect, especially paired with an ice-cold glass of milk. You can find the recipe for these delightful bars by clicking on the image below.
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I hope you enjoyed this deep dive into homemade refried beans and my experience with Michelle’s fantastic recipe. The Freaky Friday blog hop is all about culinary discovery and celebrating the talent within our blogging community. Now, take a moment to browse all of the other deliciousness my blogger friends made. You’re sure to find some new favorites!
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Check out more AMAZING Freaky Friday recipes below!
An Affair from the Heart – Easy Homemade Refried Beans
Take Two Tapas – Pineapple Hummus with Smoked Paprika
LeMoine Family Kitchen – Sausage Hash Brown Nests
Full Belly Sisters – Blueberry Dutchbaby
Who Needs a Cape? – French Onion Salisbury Steak
Plattertalk – Lemon Loaf Cake
Hostess at Heart – Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
Life Currents – Blue Cheese, Fig, and Caramelized Onion Palmiers
Lisa’s Dinnertime Dish – Baked Lemon Glazed Donuts
Bowl Me Over – Southwest Chicken Salad Bowl
A Dish of Daily Life – Chicken Carbonara Pasta
Aunt Bee’s Recipes – Summer Corn Salsa
A Kitchen Hoors Adventures – Bourbon Banana Bread
Seduction in the Kitchen – Honey Roasted Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothie