What is Meant by Refried Beans?

This time, we’ll answer another common question about Mexican food: what does refried beans mean? Keep reading to find out more about this tasty and versatile dish.

Refried beans are a staple in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, but the name often confuses people. The term “refried” makes many think that you fry the beans twice, but that’s not actually the case. So what are refried beans and how did they get their misleading name?

A Mistranslation

The term “refried beans” comes from a mistranslation of the Spanish name for the dish – frijoles refritos. In Spanish, the prefix “re” is used as slang to mean “well” or “very.” So frijoles refritos actually translates to “well-fried beans” in English.

The border between the two languages led to this word mix-up. While the beans aren’t fried twice, the name “refried beans” stuck in English.

Cooking Process

Though refried beans don’t undergo a double frying. they are cooked in two stages

First the beans are soaked in water for 8-10 hours until soft and pliable. Some cooks may add garlic onions, or herbs to the soaking liquid.
Next, the rehydrated beans are boiled until very soft and tender.
Then, the beans are mashed into a thick paste. Some chunkiness may remain.
Finally, the bean paste is fried in hot oil or lard in a skillet. Frying at high heat for a short time gives the beans their signature texture.

Soak
Boil
Mash
Fry

Though not fried twice, the beans do undergo both boiling and frying, which gives rise to their misleading English name.

Traditional Ingredients

Authentic refried beans are made with just a few simple ingredients:

Dried beans – pinto, black, or Peruvian beans are traditional. Canned beans are sometimes used for convenience.
Oil or lard – to fry the mashed beans. Lard is traditional in Mexico for added richness.
Onion and garlic – aromatic ingredients commonly added to the boiling liquid.
Salt and pepper – for seasoning.
Water or broth – to soak and boil the beans. Chicken or vegetable broth can add flavor.

That’s it! At its core, refried beans contain just beans, oil or lard, aromatics, and seasoning. The simple recipe allows the deep, earthy flavor of the beans to shine.

Variations and Substitutions

There are many ways cooks adapt refried beans:

Different types of beans – pinto, black, Peruvian, kidney, etc.
Alternatives to lard – vegetable, corn, peanut or other oils. Chicken or bacon fat.
Extra flavors – jalapeños, cumin, cilantro, etc.
Vegan versions use no lard/bacon and vegetable broth.
Low-sodium versions replace regular salt.
Low-fat versions use very little oil for frying.

So while traditional refried beans contain just a few base ingredients, cooks can customize the dish in many ways.

Uses in Mexican and Tex-Mex Cuisine

Refried beans are an integral part of Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. Common uses include:

Served as a side dish – Refried beans are often served along entrees, tacos, etc. They can be served plain or with toppings like cheese, salsa, etc.
Burritos and tacos – Refried beans are a standard filling for burritos and tacos. They provide a creamy, hearty base.
Nachos – Beans make an excellent topping for nachos along with other toppings.
Quesadillas – Cheese quesadillas are often filled with refried beans for added protein.
Tostadas – Bean paste is spread on crisp tostada shells and topped with various ingredients.
Chilaquiles – Refried beans can be incorporated into chilaquiles along with tortilla chips.
Enchiladas – Another common filling for enchiladas is refried beans.
Chimichangas – These crunchy, fried burritos also use refried beans as a staple filling.
Torta sandwiches – Mexican torta sandwiches contain refried beans spread on bread along with other fillings.
Dip – On their own, the beans make a creamy, protein-packed dip for chips.

Clearly, refried beans have many versatile uses in Mexican cooking from tacos to nachos, burritos to enchiladas. They are an integral ingredient.

Nutrition

So what are the nutritional benefits of refried beans?

High in protein – Just 1/2 cup provides around 8 grams of plant-based protein.
High in fiber – A half-cup also contains around 5-7 grams of dietary fiber for digestive health.
Low glycemic – The fiber and complex carbs mean beans have a low glycemic index that won’t spike blood sugar.
Iron – Refried beans contain iron, an important nutrient for oxygen transport in the blood.
Folate – The beans are high in folate, a B vitamin that aids new cell production.
Magnesium – Necessary for muscle and nerve function, magnesium is abundant in refried beans.
Potassium – This mineral supports heart health and balances fluids. Beans are a high-potassium food.

The main caveat is sodium content, which can vary widely depending on added salt. Overall though, refried beans pack a big nutritional punch of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

How to Make Refried Beans

Want to make your own tasty refried beans at home? Here is an easy recipe:

Ingredients

1 pound dried pinto beans
6 cups water or broth
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tbsp lard or oil
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions

Rinse beans and remove any damaged beans or debris.
Place beans in large pot and cover with water/broth by 2-3 inches. Add onion and garlic.
Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 1-1.5 hours until very soft.
Drain beans reserving about 1/2 cup cooking liquid.
Mash beans to a paste using a potato masher, fork, or immersion blender.
Heat lard or oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Fry bean paste for 2-3 minutes, adding reserved liquid as needed to reach desired texture.
Season with salt and pepper.
Serve warm with desired toppings like salsa, cheese, cilantro, etc.

Adjust cooking time as needed based on bean freshness. Canned beans reduce active time. Add any extra flavors when boiling or frying. Enjoy these tasty refried beans in tacos, burritos, nachos, and more!

The Bottom Line

In the end, the truth about refried beans is that while their name implies a double-frying, the dish simply refers to beans that are boiled, mashed, then fried once to perfection. This flavorful staple of Mexican cooking packs in nutrition and endless flavor. Whether you enjoy refried beans in a taco or use them as a dip, this versatile ingredient is worth adding to your repertoire.

what is meant by refried beans

Refried Beans and Mexican Cuisine

Refried beans, and beans in general, play a fundamental role in Mexican cuisine. In almost any Mexican household, beans can be served three times a day without anyone batting an eye.

Every region of Mexico puts its own twist on refried beans. Families usually eat all three stages of the “bean cycle.” First, they eat their beans “caldosos,” which is kind of like a bean soup. The beans are fried until the water is gone, and then they are mashed to make a paste-like texture that makes refried beans so useful.

Why Are Refried Beans Called Like that?

The name “refried beans” can cause some understandable confusion. The word “re” is used to talk about things that happen twice in English. Words like “reuse,” “recycle,” and “recreate” are examples. Does this mean that refried beans are fried twice? Not really.

As you may have noticed already, languages can be funny and words often have more than one sense. Now, “refried beans” is a literal translation of the Spanish term “frijoles refritos.” It just so happens that in this case, “refritos” doesn’t mean “fried twice” but only “well fried,” as the Dictionary of Mexican Spanish can attest.

So now you know. No, when you order refried beans, you don’t get beans that have been fried twice. You get beans that have only been fried once.

The SECRET to Making the BEST REFRIED BEANS at Home, Better than any AUTHENTIC MEXICAN RESTAURANT

FAQ

What is the meaning of the word refried?

: to fry (something) again : to cook (something) again in fat or oil. mashed and refried the beans.

Are refried beans healthy?

Refried beans contain antioxidants called polyphenols that can help prevent heart disease. Age-related illnesses can also be prevented by incorporating beans into your diet, as these same polyphenols may help slow cell death.

What does it mean when beans are refried?

The word comes from the Spanish name for the dish—frijoles refritos. In Spanish “refritos” means “well fried“. To make the beans you have to cook them in water first to soften them. Then you fry them in a pot or skillet with fat and seasonings.

Are refried pinto beans the same as refried beans?

Refried beans are pinto beans that are pan-fried in lard and salt. Common variations use kidney beans or black beans, plus plant oil instead of lard.

What is refried beans?

Refried beans (from Spanish: frijoles refritos, lit. ‘rehashed or warmed-over beans’) is a dish of cooked and mashed beans that is a traditional staple of Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, although each cuisine has a different approach when making the dish. Refried beans are also popular in many other Latin American countries.

Can you freeze refried beans?

Freezing refried beans is a simple and practical solution for dealing with leftovers. You can reheat them on the stove or in the microwave.

How is refried beans made?

To make refried beans, pinto or kidney beans are cooked thoroughly and any excess water or broth is drained. While still warm, the beans are mashed until there are no more than a few lumps remaining. Simple spices, such as salt and pepper, are sometimes added during the mashing process.

Do beans work in refried beans?

Ultimately, beans are beans, and any of them will work in a refried beans recipe to some extent or another, but you might not get the texture or flavor that you’re expecting. Learning which beans to use and which to avoid can only improve your refried beans.