There’s something incredibly satisfying about refried beans from a restaurant. The crackly top, creamy texture, tantalizing salty flavor. Pure bliss.
When I made a version at home, I wanted it to have the classic creamy, buttery texture and simple seasonings, like just salt and broth. Anything more seemed overcomplicated. After all, well-salted, creamy beans don’t need much else. The final result was pure magic.
We also found a quick way to make sure you never have to mash beans by hand again. There are versions for beans made from scratch, beans from a can, and beans made in the Instant Pot. Let us show you how easy this technique really is!.
Blenders are versatile kitchen appliances that can be used for much more than just smoothies and margaritas. One task that many home cooks wonder about is using a blender to grind beans, such as coffee beans. So can you actually put beans in a blender? The short answer is yes!
Blenders are equipped with sharp blades that pulverize and grind food, making them a handy alternative when you don’t have a designated coffee grinder. While blenders create a slightly coarser grind than burr or blade coffee grinders, they still effectively break down beans for brewing. Let’s look at why blenders work for grinding beans, some tips for success, and the best ways to use bean grinds from a blender.
Why A Blender Grinds Beans Well
The sharpest blade in a blender’s base easily pulverizes hard foods like coffee beans, nuts, and seeds. Blenders chop and mince with spinning blades that create a grinding action similar to food processors and grinders. While not ideal for extremely fine espresso grinds, blender blades can break beans down evenly into small particles suitable for drip coffee and French press.
Compared to electric grinders made specifically for coffee blenders tend to produce a more inconsistent and coarse grind. But for occasional use in a pinch they make beans grindable enough to brew a tasty cup of coffee. The blender’s strength and sharp blades compensate for the lack of burrs in dedicated grinders.
Tips For Grinding Beans In A Blender
Follow these tips to get the most consistent grind when using a blender:
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Grind beans in small batches – About 1/4 cup at a time prevents overheating and uneven texture.
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Use short pulses – Pressing the blender buttons in short bursts better controls bean size,
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Shake blender between pulses – This redistributes beans for even grinding.
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Use lower speeds – High speeds may overheat beans or make texture too uneven.
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Check grind frequently – Pulse, check, and repeat until desired consistency is reached.
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Avoid overfilling blender – Beans need room to move and grind properly.
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Grind for drip or French press – Blenders can’t make super fine espresso grinds.
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Adjust batch size as needed – Smaller batches may grind more evenly.
With some trial and error, you’ll find the ideal batches, speeds, and pulses to grind your beans properly with a blender. Taking it slowly and checking the grind ensures you don’t over-blend into a powdery texture.
Best Uses For Blender-Ground Beans
The coarser grind produced by blenders works well for manual brewing methods that don’t require extremely fine grounds. Some great uses for blender-ground beans include:
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Drip coffee makers – The standard go-to device for many homes. Drip machines aren’t too fussy about grind size.
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French press – Coarser grinds prevent sediment in the pressed coffee. Blenders excel at this texture.
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Cold brew – Grind size matters less since grounds steep in cold water for hours.
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Chemex – The thick filter captures finer particles, so a coarse blend still works.
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Reusable pods – Fillable coffee pods suit the less precise blender grind.
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Seasonings – Flavorful coffee grounds add kick to dry rubs and marinades.
While fine espresso grinds are out of a blender’s reach, there are still plenty of brewing methods and recipes perfectly suited to the grind of beans it can produce. Get creative with the uses beyond just hot coffee.
Other Foods You Can Grind In A Blender
Coffee isn’t the only handy item to grind in a blender. Many other foods can be processed into powdery or rough textures with the blender’s blades:
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Nuts – Grind into nut flours or butters in batches.
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Seeds – Make seed flours like almond and sunflower.
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Spices – Quickly grind whole peppercorns, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, etc.
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Grains – Grind rolled oats into an oat flour for baking.
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Herbs – Chop fresh herbs like basil coarsely for sauces.
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Chocolate – Turn bars into homemade cocoa powder.
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Legumes – Grind soaked and cooked chickpeas or beans into spreads.
With the right techniques, a trusty blender can grind much more than just coffee when needed. Next time you want a fresh, flavorful grind at home without a fancy gadget, don’t hesitate to toss the ingredients into your blender. In batches and on the proper settings, it will churn out even grinds suitable for an array of foods and recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I grind beans in a blender wet or dry?
Always add dry beans to a blender. Avoid adding any liquid, which will turn the beans into a sludge rather than a grind. The beans contain enough oils to grind properly without extra moisture.
Can I grind beans in a personal blender?
Smaller personal blenders may struggle with grinding beans evenly compared to full-sized models. But using very small batches can allow personal blenders to work in a pinch. Expect to grind beans longer in shorter pulses.
Can I grind beans in a Vitamix blender?
Yes, a Vitamix is an excellent option for grinding beans with its heavy-duty motor and sharp blades. Just be sure to work in small batches and use bursts rather than long continuous blending.
Should I grind beans daily or weekly?
For maximum freshness and flavor, grind beans as close to brewing as possible, ideally daily. But grounds last for a week in an airtight container out of light and air.
How long do I blend beans in a blender?
Blending times will vary widely by bean amount and blender power. Check frequently, pulse in short 5-10 second bursts, and blend just until the desired texture is reached. This prevents over-grinding to a powder.
Conclusion
While blade coffee grinders are specially designed for grinding beans, using a simple blender can produce reasonably consistent grinds suitable for multiple brew methods when needed. With small batches, strategic speeds, and short pulses, a blender effectively breaks beans down into coarse particles that retain aroma and oils. Beyond coffee, blenders grind other foods like spices, nuts, and herbs efficiently as well. With the proper techniques and realistic expectations on grind size, don’t hesitate to harness the grinding power of your blender for all kinds of recipes and beverages.
How to Make Refried Beans
Our one-pot, six-ingredient version isn’t traditional because it doesn’t have lard, but it tastes great and is very simple to make.
The first step is to cook the pinto beans (or use canned in a pinch). If you are cooking dry beans, you can use this method on the stove or, for faster results, cook them in an Instant Pot.
Once your beans are cooked, it’s time to turn them into refried beans!
Start by sautéing onion and garlic in a bit of oil until tender. This adds another layer of flavor to the beans.
Next, add the cooked beans along with any leftover cooking liquid (or liquid from the can). Then add just enough vegetable broth to cover the beans, sprinkle with salt, and let them cook for a while. This will make them softer and easier to mash. Add more vegetable broth if the beans get dry or stick to the bottom of the pan.
For mashing, there are options: 1) use an immersion blender, or 2) use a bean or potato masher.
The immersion blender is our preferred because it yields incredibly creamy beans in seconds!
Adding cilantro, lime juice, and red onion is our favorite way to finish it off and serve it. Hot sauce and vegan queso are also delicious.
We hope you LOVE these refried beans! They’re: Creamy Savory Comforting Quick Easy & Versatile
Use it to dip tortilla chips in, serve with rice, make our Mexican 7-Layer Dip, or pair it with your favorite Mexican dish.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Origins of Refried Beans
Frijoles refritos are believed to have originated in the early 1900s in Northern Mexico (source).
The name means “well-fried beans” in English, but when the dish made its way to the south of the US, it changed its name to “refried beans.” ”.
But contrary to what the name implies, refried beans are not fried twice. They are however, incredibly delicious! For those interested, you can find a more traditional recipe for refried beans here!