Refried beans are a versatile Mexican staple that can be used in everything from burritos and tacos to dips and sides While you can certainly make them from scratch, canned refried beans offer convenience for quick weeknight meals. But how much is actually in those cans? Keep reading to find out how many ounces are in a large can of refried beans
Standard Refried Bean Can Sizes
Refried beans are commonly available in three can sizes
- Small: 8 oz
- Medium/Regular: 16 oz
- Large: 28-30 oz
The small 8 oz cans are suited for individual use or side dishes for 1-2 people. The medium 16 oz size is best for family meals serving 3-4 people. For feeding bigger crowds, the large 28-30 oz commercial-sized cans are the way to go.
Frequency of entities:
- Small can: 8 oz – 2 mentions
- Medium/Regular can: 16 oz – 2 mentions
- Large can: 28-30 oz – 2 mentions
Ounces and Servings in Large Cans
A large 28-30 ounce can of refried beans contains approximately:
- 28-30 ounces by weight
- 3 1⁄2 to 4 cups by volume
- About 16 servings at 1⁄4 cup each
So one big 30 ounce can provides enough for around 16 people enjoying refried beans as a side dish or filling.
To visualize the size, 30 ounces is equivalent to:
- 1 pound 14 ounces
- Approximately 1 3⁄4 pounds
So a large can gives you nearly 2 pounds of cooked, mashed pinto beans ready to heat and eat!
Getting the Most from Large Cans
Here are some tips for taking advantage of everything in those big cans:
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Store leftovers properly. Refrigerate unused beans in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
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Freeze extras. Portion beans into usable amounts and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before using.
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Transform into dips. Turn extra beans into bean dip, adding spices and mixing with sour cream or cheese.
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Use for breakfast. Top with eggs for huevos rancheros or stuff in burritos.
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Make meatless meals. Use in lieu of ground beef for vegan/vegetarian dishes.
With multiple pounds of beans in one convenient can, the possibilities are endless!
Sample Recipes and Serving Sizes
To give you an idea of how far a large can of refried beans can go, here are some example recipes along with their serving sizes:
- Bean and Cheese Nachos (6 servings, 1⁄2 cup beans each)
- Mexican Lasagna Roll Ups (12 rolls, 2 Tbsp beans per roll)
- Bean and Corn Quesadillas (8 quesadillas, 2 Tbsp beans each)
- Beef and Bean Burritos (8 burritos, 1⁄4 cup beans each)
- Seven Layer Dip (8-10 servings, 1⁄4 cup beans as one layer)
As you can see, just one 30 oz can of refried beans can feed a crowd!
Buying Large Cans of Refried Beans
When purchasing extra-large cans of refried beans, look for:
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Reputable national brands like Old El Paso, Rosarita, or Bush’s Best to ensure consistent quality.
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Lower sodium options if trying to reduce salt intake.
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Simple ingredients without unnecessary preservatives or additives.
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BPA-free cans when possible for reduced chemical exposure.
With a little label reading, you can easily find healthy, hassle-free canned refried beans perfect for dishing up big batches of Mexican cuisine.
So now you know – one large 28-30 ounce can of refried beans contains about 30 ounces total, 4 cups by volume, 16 quarter-cup servings, and around 2 pounds of beans! That’s plenty to get the fiesta started.
Zesty Ranch Chicken Tacos
Chicken tacos are jazzed up with a creamy, Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch sauce coleslaw topping. Topped with fresh avocado and cilantro, these tacos are hard to beat!.
Product DescriptionOld El Paso Traditional Refried Beans create the perfect base for any Mexican food or tasty side dish. Made with just the right amount of spices, these canned beans are ready to add to tacos, burritos, nachos or any Mexican dish. Simply heat them up in the microwave or on the stovetop and enjoy. Tonight, we taco!For more than 80 years, Old El Paso has been bringing families and communities together to celebrate old and new traditions around delicious, Mexican-inspired flavors. We believe that any night can be a taco night, and we’re here to help make it a little easier and a lot more delicious. Our variety of crispy hard taco shells, tasty soft tortillas, flavorful seasonings, and much more help make taco night fun.
| Amount Per Serving | As Packaged | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 90 | ||||||||
| % Daily Value * | |||||||||
| Total Fat 1.5g | 2% | ||||||||
| Saturated 0.5g | 3% | ||||||||
| Trans Fat 0g | |||||||||
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% | ||||||||
| Sodium 450mg | 19% | ||||||||
| Total Carbohydrate 13g | 5% | ||||||||
| Dietary Fiber 3g | 12% | ||||||||
| Total Sugars <1g | |||||||||
| Incl. Added Sugars 0g | 0% | ||||||||
| Protein 5g | |||||||||
|
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| *Based on a 2,000 calorie diet. | |||||||||
Stove-Top Directions Heat in saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
Heat in loosely covered microwavable bowl on High 3 to 5 minutes, stirring once. Careful—leave in microwave 1 minute; stir. From time to time, reformulations of products may alter nutrient value, ingredients and/or allergens. Maintaining on-line information accuracy at all times can be difficult. If there is a difference between the information on this site and the information on the package, the information on the package should be used as the main source for correct and up to date information about the product inside the package.
The Refried Bean Secrets Mexican Restaurants Use – 3 Stages for Tacos, Tostadas & More
FAQ
How many ounces is a large can of beans?
How many ounces is a 15 ounce can of beans?
How many cups is a 15 oz can of refried beans?
What size are Rosarita refried beans?
How much liquid do you add to canned refried beans?
As a result, for every 30 ounces of canned refried beans, it’s best to add at least 1 cup of your chosen liquid. Follow this rule, heat and stir your beans, then see if they’re as thin and runny as you want. If they aren’t, add a bit more liquid until they are! 2. Get Smooth And Creamy Beans
Can you make refried beans from canned beans?
These Easy Refried Beans can be made from Canned Beans, Dried Beans, or in the Instant Pot! For Stovetop Canned Refried Beans: Place a large saucepot over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil, onions, garlic, cilantro, and spices. Sauté for 15 minutes, stirring regularly, until the onions are very soft. Meanwhile, drain and rinse the beans.
How long do you cook canned refried beans?
Remember, if you’re going to be using a 30 ounce serving of canned refried beans (the typical size of a can of them), then you’ll want to add at least 1 cup of your chosen thinning liquid. Now cover your pan with a lid, before leaving its mixture to heat on a medium-low level of heat for 5-6 minutes.
How to make canned refried beans taste like restaurant style?
You can learn how to make canned refried beans taste like restaurant style with just a few little secrets. The best way to make canned refried beans taste like restaurant style beans is to thin the canned beans with cream. Add extra spices cooked in fat and garnish with cheese, cilantro, and jalapenos.