Pinto beans have been around all my life, but I didn’t pay much attention to them after a few average Mexican restaurant meals. But recently I’ve discovered their full glory. They’re creamy and rich, and mix in beautifully with scrambled eggs, soup, rice and more.
Pinto beans make the best refried beans, since they’re so buttery. I recently mixed my refried black beans recipe with my pinto beer beans recipe (both are in my cookbook), and the result is these ridiculously tasty refried beans.
Fresh cilantro livens up these refried beans, and a squeeze of lime juice makes them taste more complex. Besides being tasty, these refried beans are a good source of fiber and plant-based protein (12 grams of each per serving). You can read up on pinto bean nutrition here.
Plus, it’s really simple to make this recipe. I used good canned beans to make it quickly. I tried home-cooked beans and couldn’t tell enough difference to bother doing it again. If you prefer to cook your own beans, though, you certainly can.
It takes less than 25 minutes to make refried beans. First, cook an onion in olive oil. Then, add spices and beans. This recipe is far superior to store-bought refried beans, and it’s become a staple in my kitchen. I hope it becomes a staple in yours, too.
Refried beans are a staple in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. While they are commonly served as a side dish, refried beans can be used in many other ways to add protein, fiber, and flavor to meals. Here are 18 creative ways to incorporate canned or homemade refried beans into appetizers, main dishes, sides, and more:
1. Nachos
An easy upgrade for nachos is to spread refried beans on the tortilla chips before adding shredded cheese, salsa, guacamole, etc. The beans provide a flavorful base that helps the toppings stick.
2. Quesadillas
Beans make a tasty filling for quesadillas Simply sprinkle shredded cheese over refried beans on a tortilla before folding it over and cooking until the cheese melts.
3. Burritos
In place of or in addition to meat, try using refried beans as one of the fillings for burritos. They pair perfectly with rice, cheese, lettuce, salsa and other standard burrito ingredients.
4. Enchiladas
Mix together refried beans with shredded cheese and spread the mixture onto corn tortillas. Roll them up and bake with your favorite enchilada sauce for an easy weeknight meal.
5. Tacos
Why reserve beans just for the side of the plate? Spoon some refried bean goodness into hard or soft taco shells for a protein and fiber boost
6. Tostadas
Spread refried beans on crunchy tostada shells as the base before topping with shredded lettuce, tomato, avocado and Cotija cheese for a fresh, flavorful bite.
7. Tortilla Soup
Stir a spoonful of refried beans into the broth to thicken tortilla soup and make it more substantial. Garnish bowls with extras.
8. Chili
Mix some refried beans into the pot when making chili. They’ll add heartiness and texture to balance out all of the meat and sauce.
9. Tamales
Use refried beans as one of the fillings when making homemade tamales. They’ll add nice texture alongside saucy meats and cheeses.
10. Empanadas
Spoon refried beans mixed with cheese, veggies or chopped meat into empanada dough pockets before baking or frying for handheld snacks.
11. Breakfast Burritos
Wake up to refried beans, scrambled eggs, cheese, potatoes and salsa wrapped up in a breakfast burrito.
12. Breakfast Tacos
Try using refried beans as the base in breakfast tacos instead of eggs. Top with cheese, potatoes, avocado and bacon or chorizo.
13. Huevos Rancheros
For a twist on this classic, spread refried beans on tortillas before topping with fried eggs and salsa.
14. Mexican Pizza
Make refried bean “sauce” for Mexican pizzas. Spread over crusts, then load up with toppings like grilled chicken, corn, black beans and avocado.
15. Layered Dip
Refried beans make up one key layer in seven layer dip. Mix in some taco seasonings to spice them up.
16. Stuffed Peppers
Mix together refried beans, rice and cheese to use as the filling for hollowed out bell peppers. Bake until the peppers are tender.
17. Vegetarian Burgers
Mash up refried beans and combine with breadcrumbs, onions, eggs and seasonings to form bean burger patties.
18. Baked Potatoes
For a Mexican-style baked potato, top with refried beans, salsa, avocado slices, Cotija cheese and cilantro.
With so many ways to incorporate them into meals, canned or homemade refried beans can become a kitchen staple. They add protein, fiber and comfort food appeal. Keep some on hand for anytime you want to add a tasty Mexican flair. ¡Olé!
Uses for Refried Beans
Refried beans are a healthy side dish to serve along with any Mexican meal. They’re so good that I like to eat them with tortilla chips as a bean dip.
You can also use these protein-rich, vegan refried beans inside tacos, enchiladas and burritos. Spread them on the inside of a quesadilla or on top of a tostada. You can’t go wrong!.
Watch How to Make Refried Beans
Chop the onions very small and be sure to cook them until tender. This is key to achieving a creamy texture. If the onions are too large or undercooked, they will be distracting and crunchy. No thanks!.
Mash the beans as much as you’d like. If you want perfectly creamy refried beans, you can mash them all the way through. I usually stop when the beans are half to three quarters mashed. (You’ll get even smoother results if you blend these beans in a food processor. I don’t recommend trying the blender since they are so thick. ).
Use black beans if you prefer. Black beans aren’t as easily blended as pinto beans, so they’ll probably be a little more chunky. If you love black beans, you’ll love this version!.
Add peppers for even more flavor. If you want the beans to taste and feel better, you can add a finely chopped bell pepper of any color or jalapeño pepper(s). If you want to make the beans more spicy, I suggest taking out the seeds and membranes of the jalapeños first. This way, you can control how spicy they are.
Please let me know in the comments how these refried beans turn out for you. Your comments keep me going, and the stars you give the recipe encourage other people to try it. I’ll be back soon with more Mexican recipes, and you can view my Mexican recipe archive here.
- Author: Cookie and Kate
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
4.9 from 460 reviews
These refried beans are delicious and so easy to make. If you use canned beans, this refried bean recipe is also quick—it only takes 25 minutes! These beans are also healthy, vegan, and gluten free. Recipe yields 2 ½ cups refried beans (21 ounces), enough for 5 servings.
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow or white onion (about 1/3 of a small onion)
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- Two 15-ounce cans of rinsed and drained pinto beans, or three cups of cooked pinto beans
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (about ½ medium lime), to taste
- Warm the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat until it shimmers. Add the onions and salt. It will take about 5 to 8 minutes of stirring every now and then until the onions are soft and clear.
- Add the garlic, chili powder and cumin. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the drained beans and water. Stir, cover and cook for 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and remove the lid. Mash up at least half of the beans with a potato masher or the back of a fork until you get the consistency you want. Cover the beans and cook for three more minutes, stirring them often.
- Take the pan off the heat and add the lime juice and cilantro. Taste, and add more salt and lime juice if necessary. Add a little water to the beans and stir to mix if they look dry. Cover until you’re ready to serve.
Change it up: Substitute black beans for the pinto beans.
4 Ingredients to Enhance Canned Refried Beans (How to make canned refried beans taste better)!
FAQ
What can you eat refried beans with?
How long do refried beans last in the fridge?
How do Mexicans eat refried beans?
Are refried beans healthy for you?
What can you do with canned refried beans?
Here are 23 recipes using canned refried beans to help you put together an amazing appetizer or meal. These canned refried bean recipes ranch from dips, to casseroles, even a breakfast meal.
Are refried beans good for health?
Yes, refined beans are a good source of nutrients like fiber, iron, magnesium and zinc. They are relatively high in sodium. The method of preparation without saturated fat or low salt, refined beans are actually good and healthy. They are high in soluble fiber it a type of fiber which is helpful in slowing the digestion of carbohydrates and reduces there capability.
What can I make with homemade refried beans?
For this recipe, you can use homemade refried beans, or easily grab a can from the cupboard. The refried beans are rolled in corn tortillas with sauteed mushrooms and onions. Bake your rolled enchiladas covered in enchilada sauce and Mexican cheese. It’s bubbly, cheesy, and so easy! 3. Cheesy Refried Beans Casserole
What to eat with refried beans?
Refried beans mixed with salsa make a great “sauce” for a Tex-Mex pizza! Pile on other fun ingredients like pico de gallo, lettuce, cilantro, and sour cream. Get Ree’s recipe. Warm up refried beans with shredded cheese and use as a filling for burritos. Ree adds ground beef, too, but you can also add veggies, avocado, or whatever you like!