Do Refried Beans Have Meat? The Surprising Truth

Refried beans are a staple of Mexican cuisine. Who doesn’t love that smooth, creamy texture contrasted with crispy nachos or fluffy rice? But when you dig into this tasty side, you may wonder – do refried beans have meat?

The short answer is – it depends. Traditional refried beans are made with lard, which comes from pigs. So in their original form, yes, refried beans contain animal products. However, there are many meatless versions of refried beans available today.

The Traditional Method Uses Lard

Authentic refried beans are made by frying cooked pinto beans in pork lard. This adds a rich, savory flavor that can’t be replicated with vegetable oil. The smooth, velvety texture also comes from mashing up the beans in hot fat.

Lard has been used in Mexican cooking for centuries. Pig fat was abundant inexpensive and added moisture and tenderness to foods. The rich, fatty taste gave a big flavor boost.

So traditionally, refried beans are not vegetarian or vegan. But they aren’t exactly packed with meat either. Lard is pure fat with no meat fibers or protein. A small amount of animal fat is used to cook the beans.

Vegetarian Versions Exist

Nowadays, many restaurants and home cooks make meatless refried beans. Instead of lard, they use vegetable oil, olive oil or bacon fat. The beans get that same unctuous texture without the pork.

Meatless recipes still start by boiling and mashing pinto beans. Then they’re fried in oil and flavored with onions, garlic, cumin, and chili powder. The beans soak up the seasonings and oils for bold Mexican flavor.

Canned vegetarian refried beans are widely available too. Brands like Amy’s, Taco Bell, and Bush’s are made with vegetable oil instead of lard. They offer a quick and convenient bean option. Check the ingredients list to confirm there’s no animal products.

How To Order Refried Beans Out

If you want to avoid meat, use caution when ordering refried beans in restaurants. Since they’re traditionally made with lard, many menus still use pork fat for authentic flavor.

Some tips for ordering vegetarian refried beans:

Ask your server if the beans contain lard or are vegetarian-friendly. Many restaurants now offer a meatless version.
Try Mexican fast food chains like Taco Bell or Chipotle. Their refried beans are made without any animal products.
Avoid beans fried in house at authentic restaurants and taquerias. Stick to sides like rice, veggies, guacamole.
Check the menu for clues like “vegetarian refried beans” or beans cooked in “vegetable oil”.

With some simple questions and menu sleuthing, you can enjoy tasty refried beans without the meaty extras. A classic Mexican dish can be veggie-friendly.

Make Your Own Meatless Refried Beans

For the best control over ingredients, make meatless refried beans at home. All you need are pinto beans, oil, and Tex-Mex spices.

Try this easy recipe:

Ingredients:

1 lb dried pinto beans
1 yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Soak beans overnight, then drain and rinse.
Boil beans in lightly salted water for 1-2 hours until very soft. Drain and reserve liquid.
Mash beans with a potato masher or fork, adding 1/4 cup cooking liquid as needed.
In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic in oil for 2-3 minutes.
Add mashed beans and spices. Cook 5 minutes, mashing frequently.
Add more cooking liquid if needed for creamy texture.
Season with salt and pepper.

With 10 minutes of easy frying, you get creamy, flavorful refried beans without the mystery meats. Adjust the spices to your taste and add hot sauce if you like it spicy.

The Final Verdict

Traditional refried beans use lard, so they’re not vegetarian. But many meatless versions are available, whether homemade or ordered off a menu. With the right ingredients and questions, you can enjoy all the creamy, peppery goodness of refried beans, hold the pork. A classic Mexican side dish can easily be meat-free.

do refried beans have meat

HOW TO PREPARE REFRIED BEANS

Stovetop: In a pan, cook beans over med-low heat, stirring occasionally. Microwave: Empty contents into a microwaveable dish and cover. Heat on high for 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute.

VEGETARIAN REFRIED BEAN INGREDIENTS

PRECOOKED PINTO BEANS, WATER, SALT, SOYBEAN OIL

Why choose La Preferida Refried Beans?Made with simple ingredients. You won’t find any nonsense in our vegan beans. There are only four things you need: water, salt, precooked pinto beans, and soybean oil. Homemade taste. We’re proud that the best authentic Mexican ingredients go into all of our products. Conscious packaging. Our cans are made with BPA-free lining. Easy to prepare. Just heat and serve!.
(Do they have lard?) Usually, brands use animal products like lard in their products. We do have a vegetarian version, though, and it’s also vegan! Instead of lard, we use soybean oil to keep the smooth texture and great taste you love!
If you want to know if La Preferida Refried Beans are gluten-free, please let us know. Because of this, we don’t think you should eat this product if you are allergic to or intolerant of gluten.
How to make refried beans on the stove: Put beans in a pan and cook them over medium-low heat, stirring them every now and then. Microwave: Empty contents into a microwaveable dish and cover. Heat on high for 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute.
What can I make with refried beans? Vegan Bean Burrito: Spanish rice and Al Pastor Seasoning are two simple ingredients that pack a flavorful punch. Topped off with a drizzle of tangy salsa verde. Nopalito Tostadas The ultimate #MeatlessMonday dish featuring a combination of tender cactus, sweet corn, and creamy refrieds. Putting the beans on top of tostadas is a great way to keep everything in place. Mexican Layered Bean Dip: This game day dish has a healthy twist with kale and Greek yogurt. Use our Vegetarian Refried Beans to cut calories without giving up taste. Large Super Nacho Platter: A big snack like our famous Super Nacho Platter is a must-have on game day!
Can you freeze refried beans?We don’t recommend freezing refried beans. Freezing and thawing can break down some ingredients and change the taste of the whole thing.
What are “Vegetarian” Refried Beans? Instead of lard or other animal products, vegetarian refried beans usually use oil, like soybean oil. We’re happy to offer 4 more types that are vegetarian or vegan: Fat-Free Refried Pinto Beans, Low Fat Refried Black Beans, Organic Refried Pinto Beans, and Fat-Free Refried Black Beans.

do refried beans have meat

The Refried Bean Secrets Mexican Restaurants Use – 3 Stages for Tacos, Tostadas & More

FAQ

Do all refried beans have meat?

Surprisingly, most authentic refried bean recipes aren’t vegetarian at all. The sneaky reason most refried beans aren’t vegetarian-friendly is that they’re fried in lard. Lard, known as manteca in Spanish, is a semi-solid fat rendered from various parts of a pig.

Can vegetarians eat refried beans?

They commonly contain lard, which is animal based fat, so they’re not even vegetarian. But no worries, they are SO easy to make that there is no need to buy them ready-made. And honestly the homemade version is just so much tastier too. It’s well worth the 25 minutes it takes to make them from scratch.

How to tell if refried beans are vegetarian?

Along with of course the beans and water, lard is a commonly added ingredient to canned refried beans (and the dish at Mexican restaurants), to add fatty flavor and texture. A quick scan of the ingredient list will tell you if the can you’ve picked up is made with lard or is the fat-free vegetarian variety.

Does refried bean have pork?

Traditional bean brands rely on lard to provide a rich flavor, but soybean oil provides a plant-based alternative. Lard is pig fat that has been rendered. Rendering evaporates the moisture from the fat to make it shelf-stable.