Refried beans are a pantry staple in many households. Their rich, creamy texture and savory flavor make them a tasty addition to tacos, burritos, nachos and more. But when hunger strikes, is it safe to eat refried beans straight from the can? Or do they require additional preparation first? In this article, we’ll dive into the details to help you determine if eating refried beans directly from the can is the right choice for you.
Are Canned Refried Beans Fully Cooked?
The good news is that canned refried beans are already fully cooked and safe to eat straight from the can, without any additional heating or preparation. The canning process involves cooking the beans at high temperatures that are sufficient to kill any potential pathogens that could cause foodborne illnesses.
During commercial canning, the refried beans are cooked in water first to soften them and then mashed. Next, they are briefly fried in a small amount of oil or lard to create their signature creamy, smooth texture before being sealed in cans. The high heat from this cooking process renders them shelf-stable and ready to eat.
So if you’re in a pinch, go ahead and eat refried beans directly from the can! Just make sure to check the expiration date and inspect the can for damage beforehand. As long as the can is intact and unexpired, the beans inside will be cooked through and safe to consume
Potential Downsides of Eating Canned Refried Beans
While eating refried beans straight from the can is safe, there are some potential downsides to consider:
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Texture – Canned refried beans tend to be thinner and more mushy compared to homemade. Heating them on the stovetop or in the microwave can improve their consistency.
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Flavor – The canned beans often lack the robust, seasoned flavor of homemade refried beans. Adding spices, herbs, onions, etc can dramatically boost the taste.
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Sodium Content – Canned varieties can be high in sodium, with an average of about 450mg per 1/2 cup serving Rinsing the beans can reduce the sodium by 41%
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Preservatives – Canned food contains preservatives to prolong shelf life. Though considered safe, some prefer to minimize consumption of these additives.
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Nutritional Value – Canned refried beans retain most of their fiber and protein, but some water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C degrade over time in the can.
So while eating refried beans straight from the can is convenient in a pinch, taking a few extra minutes to heat them with added seasonings can maximize their flavor and nutrition.
Safely Reheating Canned Refried Beans
If you opt to heat your canned refried beans before eating, follow these food safety tips:
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Transfer the beans to a microwave-safe dish or saucepan. Add a splash of water if they seem dry.
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Heat the beans on the stovetop over medium heat on the stove, stirring frequently, until heated through, about 5 minutes.
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Alternatively, microwave the beans in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until hot, 1-2 minutes.
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Bring the beans to a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check.
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Consume promptly or refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container within 2 hours.
Properly reheating the beans eliminates any potential hazard from the toxins that can form in damaged/outdated cans. Just remember—never reheat refried beans in the can itself! It poses a risk of explosion.
Tips for Improving the Flavor of Canned Refried Beans
While canned refried beans offer convenience, their flavor is no match for homemade. However, you can significantly upgrade the taste by:
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Sautéing onions, garlic, and spices like cumin or chili powder before adding the beans.
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Mixing in shredded cheese like cheddar or cotija once heated.
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Topping with fresh garnishes like sliced avocado, cilantro, lime juice or sour cream.
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Adding hot sauce, salsa or other condiments to amp up the flavor.
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Blending in tomato sauce or diced tomatoes for added richness.
With just a few extra ingredients and seasoning, you can take canned refried beans from bland to delicious in minutes!
Creative Ways to Use Canned Refried Beans
Canned refried beans aren’t just for burritos and tacos. Get creative with these tasty recipe ideas:
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Use as a dip for tortilla chips, veggies or crackers. Blend with spices for a flavorful bean dip.
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Stuff into omelets, quesadillas or sandwiches for a protein and fiber punch.
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Make bean-based soups or chilis by blending with broth and vegetables.
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Incorporate into casseroles, layered dips and Tex-Mex bakes.
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Fry into patties or balls for a unique vegetarian main or side dish.
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Mash with avocado for quick guacamole or bean spread.
With their creamy, malleable texture, the possibilities are endless for jazzing up canned refried beans!
Healthy Alternatives to Canned Refried Beans
While canned refried beans offer convenience, there are even more nutritious options:
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Make Your Own: Whip up a batch of homemade refried beans using dried pinto beans, chicken or vegetable broth, and your favorite seasonings. This allows you to control the ingredients.
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Try Other Canned Beans: Black or cannellini beans have lower sodium than refried varieties. Rinse them to reduce the sodium even further.
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Use Whole Beans: Skip the refrying and make dishes with minimally processed pinto or black beans for more intact fiber.
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Swap in Mashed Potatoes: For a lower sodium choice, use mashed potatoes in place of refried beans in recipes.
Experiment with these healthy alternatives for more nutritious takes on your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes!
Final Verdict: Is Eating Canned Refried Beans Straight From the Can a Good Idea?
However, when time is of the essence or you simply want to keep things easy, consuming refried beans straight from the can is a convenient choice. As long as you inspect for damage and spoilage first, the canned beans can make for a quick protein-packed snack or simple meal prep addition without preparation or cooking.
At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference. If you don’t mind the straight from the can taste and texture, go for it! But taking a few extra minutes to heat and spice up canned refried beans can be worth the minimal effort to maximize flavor and enjoyment.
My two favorite ways to doctor canned refried beans are:
- With Mexican chorizo (the crumbly kind made from beef or pork), You can also try soyrizo if you want to do something different.
- Crushed chicharrón (also known as chicharrón delgado or chicharrón duro)
Two cans of beans can be used if you only have a few people. One can can be split in half and filled with chorizo and crushed chicharrón. The recipes below are for a full-size can of beans. If you only want to feed 1-2 people, you can cut the add-ins in half to use the half-and-half method.
Refried beans with chorizo is my favorite filling for chiles rellenos. You can also eat these as a side dish. If you choose to eat them with a spoon, that’s fine too. ) Spread them on a tortilla with a fried egg on top for breakfast.
Canned refried beans are a cabinet staple in most Mexican homes, but you can expand your flavor options by doctoring your beans in a few easy steps.
Do you always keep a can or two of refried beans in the cabinet? If so, you’re like me. In fact, I always keep a can of refried black beans and a can of refried pinto beans in there because in a Mexican-American home, you never know when food needs to be made with beans. Am I right?.
You might be fine with eating the same canned beans over and over, but you’d be surprised at what you could taste if you changed up your food a bit.
La Costeña is the brand I like to buy most often and keep in my own kitchen cabinets. There are lots of brands of refried beans out there, and I say go with whatever you like. If you want to eat organic refried beans, go nuts. Some canned refried beans have chiles in them and some dont (I like them better with chiles). Im generally not a fan of the vegetarian refried beans, but if thats your thing, do you.
Its come to my attention that some people I know dont know how to prepare canned refried beans. So, Im going to write it all out so nobody has any excuses.
Many of you may be thinking, “Did she really just say she was going to teach me how to make refried beans from a can?” The answer is yes, friend. I did. There are a lot of people who look up how to cook refried beans from a can on the internet because they don’t know. If you’re new here and didn’t eat refried beans as a child or have never been taught how to make them, welcome to a place where no one will judge you as you learn how to make good canned refried beans. If you already know this trick, please tell your friends about it because they are probably looking for how to do it online.
First, lets talk about the oil that comes in the can with most refried beans. A lot of people ask me if you need to use it. As for how I do it, I usually throw away about three-quarters of the oil in the can because I don’t like my refried beans to be too greasy. Other people may have different ideas, though. Some brands of vegetarian refried beans don’t come with oil, and I sometimes find them too dry. You can add about a teaspoon of vegetable oil to the pan when you cook them if that’s the case.
4 Ingredients to Enhance Canned Refried Beans (How to make canned refried beans taste better)!
FAQ
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