RestaurantQuality Refried Beans Made Easy

Restaurantquality Refried Beans Made Easy

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:165 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454g) dried pinto beans, rinsed
• 8 cups (1.9 Litres) water (plus more for soaking)
• 1 white onion, quartered
• 4 cloves garlic, smashed
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
• 3 tablespoons (42g) lard, bacon fat, or vegetable oil
• 1/2 white onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 jalapenos, seeded and minced (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 cup (120ml) of the bean cooking liquid (reserved from cooking the beans)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Rinse dried pinto beans and soak in a large pot with ample water for 8-12 hours, or overnight. Drain and rinse again.
• Combine soaked beans with 8 cups fresh water, quartered onion, smashed garlic, oregano, bay leaf, and salt in the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 2-3 hours, or until the beans are very tender and easily mashed. Retain 1/2 cup bean liquid.
• Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic and jalapeno (if using).
• Heat lard (or oil) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent. Add garlic and jalapeno (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
• Stir in cumin and chili powder and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
• Add the cooked beans to the skillet. Use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash the beans to your desired consistency.
• Gradually add the reserved bean cooking liquid to achieve a creamy, spreadable texture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Simmer for another 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld. Serve hot.

Nutrition Facts

Calories	250-300
Fat	8-12g
Fiber	10-15g

Recipe Info

Category	Side Dish
Cuisine	Mexican

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever wondered how to make refried beans taste like they're from your favorite taqueria? This refried beans recipe is your ticket! It's packed with flavor and super creamy.

Brief Overview

Frijoles Refritos are a staple in authentic Mexican recipes . This easy refried beans recipe takes about an hour overall. This makes enough for 6-8 happy folks.

Main Benefits

This refried beans recipe is so much healthier than canned stuff. It's perfect for Taco Tuesday, obviously. What makes it special? It is the best refried beans recipe !

My Refried Beans Recipe Journey

Honestly, I used to buy canned refried beans. You know, the gloopy stuff? Then I tried making them from scratch.

Oh my gosh! What a game changer. My first attempt was a disaster. It was too watery! I have learned to not be lazy with the cooking liquid now.

But I've nailed it now.

Why Homemade Refried Beans Are Worth It

The depth of flavour is just incredible. Forget bland, homemade refried beans burst with earthy, savory goodness. It's a totally different experience. Plus, you know exactly what's going in.

What Makes These Refried Beans From Scratch So Good?

It starts with the beans themselves. You can even start this easy refried beans recipe with canned beans!. Cooking them low and slow unlocks all sorts of deliciousness.

I swear, the whole house smells amazing! This is Mexican cooking made easy.

Alright, ready to ditch the canned stuff? My refried beans recipe will seriously change your life. Honestly, once you taste homemade refried beans from scratch, you'll never go back.

This is one of my absolute favourite Mexican food recipes authentic ! It's my go to easy refried beans recipe !.

I've tweaked this over the years to perfection, and you're gonna love it.

Ingredients & Equipment for Kickass Frijoles Refritos

Time to gather your gear! This isn't rocket science, I promise. We're making proper refried beans recipe that rival any restaurant.

Main Ingredients The Best Refried Beans Recipe Ever

Okay, here's the lowdown. Remember, the better your ingredients, the better your refried beans from scratch will be.

• For the Beans (From Scratch):
  • 1 pound (454g) dried pinto beans, rinsed. Look for beans that are uniform in colour and size. Avoid any that look cracked or damaged.
  • 8 cups (1.9 Litres) water (plus more for soaking)
  • 1 white onion, quartered
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
• For Refrying:
  • 3 tablespoons (42g) lard, bacon fat, or vegetable oil. Lard gives it that authentic flavour, but don't stress if you only have oil.
  • 1/2 white onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-2 jalapenos, seeded and minced (optional, for heat)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) of the bean cooking liquid (reserved from cooking the beans)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• For Canned Beans (Shortcut):
  • Two (15-ounce/425g) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed thoroughly . If you are skipping this step, this shortcut is your best buddy.
  • Follow the remaining refrying ingredients and instructions, omitting the "For the Beans" section.

Seasoning Notes – Mexican Cooking Secrets

Spice is life! Seriously, don't be shy. Cumin and chili powder are key for that Authentic Mexican Recipes flavour. A little oregano adds a beautiful earthy note.

For creamy refried beans recipe add some pepper and salt.

• Cumin + chili powder = Mexican cooking gold
• Jalapenos for a kick. Omit if you're spice averse.
• No oregano? Use marjoram as a sub.

Equipment Needed Keep it Simple

You don't need fancy gadgets to make awesome frijoles refritos .

• Large pot (for cooking dried beans)
• Large skillet or cast iron pan (for refrying). Cast iron is my fave.
• Potato masher or immersion blender (for mashing). A fork works in a pinch!
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cutting board
• Chef's knife

Ready to cook? Let's do this!

Restaurant Quality Refried Beans Recipe (Made Easy!)

Skip the canned stuff. This refried beans recipe is a flavour explosion. It builds layers of deliciousness from simple ingredients.

Inspired by authentic Mexican recipes , these beans are creamy, savoury, and perfect for tacos, burritos, or as a side dish.

We'll start with dried beans for the deepest flavour. But I'll also offer a shortcut if you're short on time.

Olé!

Prep Steps for Mexican Food Recipes Authentic

Essential mise en place

Rinse 1 pound (454g) dried pinto beans. You know, just like grandma used to. Quarter 1 white onion. Smash 4 cloves garlic.

Finely chop 1/2 white onion. Mince 2 cloves garlic and 1-2 jalapenos (optional).

Time saving organization tips

Soak beans overnight. This drastically reduces cooking time. If using canned, drain and rinse thoroughly . Honestly, this is key!

Safety reminders

Be careful when handling jalapenos. You don't want to accidentally rub your eyes. Trust me, I've been there!

Step-by-Step Process to Cook Frijoles Refritos

1. Soak the Beans (If Using Dried): Soak the beans for 8- 12 hours , or overnight.
2. Cook the Beans (If Using Dried): Simmer the beans for 2- 3 hours , or until tender. Retain 1/2 cup bean liquid.
3. Sauté the Aromatics: Sauté chopped onion until softened. Add garlic and jalapeno (if using). Cook until fragrant.
4. Add Spices: Stir in cumin and chili powder and cook for 30 seconds , until fragrant.
5. Refry the Beans: Mash the beans.
6. Adjust Consistency and Season: Add reserved bean liquid to achieve a creamy texture. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Simmer and Serve: Simmer for another 5- 10 minutes . Serve hot.

Pro Tips for the Best Refried Beans Recipe

Expert techniques

Don't skimp on the fat. Lard or bacon fat adds incredible flavor. It is one of those Mexican Cooking secrets. Taste and adjust the seasoning frequently.

Common mistakes to avoid

Rushing the sautéing process. Let the onions and garlic soften and become fragrant. This develops the base flavour.

Make ahead options

Cook the beans a day in advance. This easy refried beans recipe saves time on the day you want to serve.

You can even mash up the beans and warm them later. I have made homemade refried beans this way so many times.

And by the way, here is what you need to know: The secret to a creamy refried beans recipe is to use enough liquid.

Recipe Notes: Making the Best Refried Beans Recipe Ever

Alright, so you’re about to dive into this refried beans recipe . Before you do, let's chat about a few things.

It's like when you're about to watch the footie, you need to know the team lineup, right? These are my little insider tips to make sure your frijoles refritos are absolutely banging.

Honestly, these aren't your average canned beans. This is proper Mexican cooking , even if you’re just starting out.

Plating Like a Pro and Drinks to Match

Presentation matters, innit? For that restaurant feel, spread your creamy refried beans recipe on a plate. Then, sprinkle with crumbled queso fresco and a sprig of coriander.

Want a drink pairing? A cold Mexican beer or a margarita is the absolute way to go. On a cooler night, a nice, hot mulled wine makes perfect sense.

How to Keep Your Refried Beans From Scratch Fresher Than Fresh

Right, so leftovers. First, cool the beans completely before you store them. Pop them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge.

They'll be good for about 3-4 days. Fancy freezing them? Go for it! Portion them out, and they'll last for a couple of months.

Reheating? Microwave or stovetop works perfectly. Just add a splash of water if they've thickened up too much.

Remix Time: Spicy, Cheesy, and Beyond

Feeling adventurous? For a bit of heat, throw in some extra jalapenos. Authentic Mexican recipes often have a kick, so don't be shy! Cheese lover? Stir in some grated cheddar or Monterey Jack at the end.

You could even swap the pinto beans for black beans. Get creative. You know? Food is about having a good time!

Nutrition Nuggets: It's Good for You, Mate!

These aren’t just tasty; they’re pretty healthy too. You know the figures, around 250-300 calories per serving. Loads of fiber and protein in these homemade refried beans .

That helps keep you full and happy. Plus, beans are a great source of iron and other good stuff. This easy refried beans recipe is a win-win! The best refried beans recipe is one that is both tasty and good for you!

So there you have it. A few extra bits to make your refried beans recipe amazing. Now, go get cooking.

I promise you'll nail it! You'll soon be creating your own Mexican food recipes authentic .