are trader joes refried black beans vegetarian

Are Trader Joe’s Refried Black Beans Vegetarian?

As a vegetarian myself I often find myself double-checking labels at the grocery store to ensure the foods I’m buying fit within my diet. Refried beans are a staple in my kitchen – they’re tasty high in protein, and super versatile. But not all brands of refried beans are created equal when it comes to vegetarian-friendliness. So when I first saw Trader Joe’s Organic Refried Black Beans on the shelf, I was thrilled to see an accessible option, but wanted to dig deeper to determine if they are actually vegetarian.

In this article, I’ll walk through my process of verifying whether Trader Joe’s refried black beans are vegetarian-friendly. We’ll look at the ingredients, how they’re made, and how they compare to other popular vegetarian bean brands Whether you’re a fellow veggie or simply want to have confidence in the foods you’re eating, read on for the full scoop!

Ingredients Analysis
The first and most critical step to determining if a food is vegetarian is scrutinizing the ingredient list. Here are the ingredients listed for Trader Joe’s Organic Refried Black Beans:

• Water
• Black beans
• Organic canola oil
• Sea salt
• Organic onion
• Organic garlic

Scanning this list, I don’t see any ingredients that are animal-derived or non-vegetarian. It contains simple, whole food ingredients like beans, onion, oil, and seasonings. The organic canola oil and sea salt aren’t problematic – while processed, they don’t contain animal products. This passes the ingredients test with flying colors!

How Are They Made?
In addition to the ingredients themselves, it’s important to understand a bit about how refried beans are made, as the process can sometimes introduce non-vegetarian components.

Traditionally, refried beans are simmered with lard or bacon fat to add flavor. Obviously, that would make them non-vegetarian. Thankfully, Trader Joe’s refries their beans in organic canola oil instead. Their simple preparation method doesn’t add any other animal products beyond the ingredients listed.

The beans are cooked in facilities that also process milk, wheat, and tree nuts, so there is a chance of cross-contamination. This doesn’t impact their vegetarian status, but is useful to know for people with allergies. Overall, the manufacturing process checks out for keeping these refried beans veggie-friendly.

Comparison To Other Brands
How do Trader Joe’s Organic Refried Black Beans compare against other popular vegetarian bean brands? I compared the labels to two top options:

• Amy’s – Their refried beans contain similar whole food ingredients like beans, onion, garlic, and olive oil. The seasonings vary slightly with cumin and chili powder, but nothing non-vegetarian. Amy’s beans are organic and non-GMO verified.

• Santa Fe Bean Co. – These beans also have comparable ingredients such as black beans, onion, sunflower oil, sea salt, and chili powder. They are certified gluten-free and vegan.

The main differences come down to slight variations in seasonings and oils used. All three brands stick to whole food plant-based ingredients to create vegetarian and vegan friendly refried beans. Trader Joe’s beans are competitively priced and just as tasty as the other options.

Tips for Using Trader Joe’s Refried Beans
Now that we’ve confirmed Trader Joe’s Organic Refried Black Beans are vegetarian, how can we creatively use them in recipes? Here are some of my favorite tips:

• Use them as a taco or burrito filling along with veggies, cheese, etc. The beans offer great texture and plant-based protein.

• Mash them fully until smooth to make black bean dip, spread on sandwiches or wraps, or use as a veggie burger binder.

• Mix in diced tomatoes, onions, peppers and spices to make a meatless chili or bean soup base.

• Heat them up and stuff into a pepper or mushroom cap for a fun veggie take on stuffed peppers.

• Make black bean brownies or dessert hummus by blending the beans with cocoa powder, dates, or peanut butter.

With a standard can costing $1-2, it’s affordable to stock up on these vegetarian-friendly refried beans. The possibilities are endless for integrating them into Latin-inspired dishes, as a spread, or even unique sweets.

The Verdict: Yes, They’re Vegetarian!
After closely examining the ingredients, manufacturing process, and comparing to other brands’ formulas, I can confidently say that Trader Joe’s Organic Refried Black Beans are vegetarian and vegan friendly. The beans provide an affordable, tasty way for plant-based eaters like myself to add protein, fiber, and flavor to our favorite recipes. I’m thrilled to have found a solid staple bean brand at my local TJ’s to rely on. The next time you’re shopping for vegetarian refried beans, feel confident that you can grab a can or two of Trader Joe’s brand off the shelf!