The Best Canned Refried Beans for Tacos, Burritos, Nachos, and More

Refried beans are a staple in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. Their rich, earthy flavor and smooth, spreadable texture make them perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos, enchiladas, and more. While nothing beats homemade refried beans, opening a can is much quicker and easier when you’re in a rush. But with so many brands available, how do you know which canned refried beans are the best?

I tested 9 top brands of canned refried beans to determine which one is the cream of the crop. I evaluated each one plain and in a simple bean taco to assess flavor texture appearance, and overall taste. After many spoonfuls of beans, the winner was clear. Keep reading to find out which brand of canned refried beans I crowned number one and why.

How I Selected and Evaluated the Beans

I chose national brands of canned refried beans that were widely available at grocery stores and online retailers. I stuck to traditional pinto bean varieties without added flavors like green chiles. For an even playing field I tried to match sizes as closely as possible buying 15-16 ounce cans.

To evaluate the beans I first did a visual inspection, looking at color and texture. Then I tried each one plain right off the spoon, to get a sense of the pure flavor. Finally, I made basic bean tacos, heating the refried beans and spooning them into warm corn tortillas to see how they held up.

I rated each brand on the following criteria:

• Flavor – The ideal refried bean has a rich, earthy bean taste and savory seasoning. It shouldn’t be bland or have off-putting flavors.

• Texture – Smooth and creamy is best, but some bean pieces are okay. The beans should be spreadable and hold together well in tacos.

• Appearance – Color should be a natural tan. The beans shouldn’t be watery or oily.

• Performance – When heated, the beans shouldn’t become too thin or thick. They should spread easily without crumbling apart.

With those factors in mind, here’s how the canned refried beans stacked up in my taste test.

9 Brands of Canned Refried Beans, Ranked Worst to Best

9. Old El Paso

Right away I noticed Old El Paso looked more watery than other brands. The texture was fairly smooth, but the thin consistency made it harder to spread on a taco. Worst of all, the flavor was incredibly bland. I could barely taste any beans or seasoning. Pass on this one.

8. 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods)

365 had a better texture than Old El Paso, thicker and creamier. But again, the flavor was lacking. I got just the faintest hint of beans and salt. If you want a super mild bean, this might work, but I found it needs a lot of help in the seasoning department.

7. Goya

Goya beans were on the thicker side, almost pasty. The texture wasn’t bad but wasn’t quite as spreadable as others. The taste was odd – I picked up an almost sour, fermented note. Not a fan of the flavor profile.

6. Bush’s Best

Bush’s Best had flecks of bean skin and whole pinto beans in an otherwise smooth base. I liked the heartier texture. The flavor was decent but could use a bit more salt and depth. Overall an average canned refried bean.

5. El Mexicano

El Mexicano beans were saltier than most brands, with a distinct savory flavor. The texture seemed slightly gummy. When heated, they got very thick and were hard to spread. I’d recommend adding liquid if using in a recipe. Flavor was good but texture issues dropped them down the list.

4. Ortega

Ortega beans were nicely seasoned with what tasted like a blend of salt, garlic, and onion powder. They had a darker color that looked appetizing. The texture was smooth and creamy. My only complaint was they were a touch too thick, even after heating. But the solid flavor bumped them up higher.

3. Amy’s

Amy’s Organic beans have a short ingredient list: just pinto beans, expeller pressed canola oil, and sea salt. They have a natural bean flavor with nutty undertones from the canola oil. The texture is perfectly smooth and spreadable. My only nitpick is they’re slightly on the salty side. Overall an excellent organic choice.

2. Taco Bell

It turns out the refried beans from the famous fast food joint taste delicious straight from the can. They’re perfectly smooth with a creamy, scoopable texture. The flavor is rich and savory with hints of cumin and onion. The only downside is they get very thick when heated. But for true Taco Bell flavor, you can’t go wrong with this brand.

1. La Preferida

The winner of my canned refried bean taste test is La Preferida. Right out of the can, these beans have an incredible rich, earthy pinto bean flavor. They have the ideal texture too – completely smooth and able to spread easily. When heated, they retain their creamy consistency without getting too thick. Seasoning is spot on, with just the right blend of saltiness to complement the beans. If I could only buy one brand of refried beans from now on, La Preferida would be it.

Tips for Using Canned Refried Beans

Canned refried beans make it simple to add flavor and nutrition to Mexican dishes, appetizers, sides, and more. Here are some tips for using them:

• For bean tacos, burritos, and tostadas, heat the refried beans on the stove or in the microwave until warm and spoon onto tortillas. Top with shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, etc.

• For nachos, spread refried beans on tortilla chips and top with melted cheese, olives, jalapeños, guacamole, etc.

• For quesadillas or empanadas, spoon refried beans combined with shredded cheese onto tortillas before folding and cooking.

• Add a layer of refried beans to seven layer dip, taco salads, stuffed poblanos, enchiladas, and other Mexican recipes.

• For a quick bean dip, combine canned refried beans with salsa, chopped cilantro, lime juice, etc. and serve with tortilla chips.

• Make vegetarian bean tacos by topping refried beans with sautéed peppers, mushrooms, onions, etc.

With the endless tasty options, it’s smart to keep a few cans of the best canned refried beans on hand for whenever a craving for Mexican food strikes! Based on my taste testing, I recommend picking up La Preferida or Taco Bell brand for flavor and texture you can count on. Your next taco night is sure to be a hit with these quality canned beans. ¡Buen provecho!