Homemade Refried Beans

How to make refried beans from canned beans!

This homemade refried beans recipe is the perfect accompaniment to my delicious chilli con carne. Quick and easy to make, did you know you can make refried beans from canned beans? But unlike the pre-made tinned refried beans, with this homemade refried beans recipe you’ll be adding fresh vegetables and herbs to the mix.

The result is a dish that’s a million miles away from the store-bought stuff. Homemade refried beans are so tasty that you’ve got to try them for yourself, so read on for the recipe!

Not got much time or just want the bullet points on how to make delicious homemade refried beans? Click here for my Quick Read Refried Beans Recipe.

An easy homemade refried beans recipe

Chilli is one of my family’s favourite meals, and one of the reasons the kids (and grown-ups!) love it so much is because we tend to make it a feast with a pile of side dishes and chilli toppings. Chief among these is the not-so-humble refried beans.

If you’ve only ever had (or avoided having!) the tinned variety, you’re missing out, because homemade refried beans are nothing like the canned stuff. Refried beans made my way are also healthy (and vegan!), because they avoid the salt and animal fat that can make the tinned beans bad for you.

Above all, when you make your own refried beans, you will find that they have a wonderful herby freshness and limey zing no canned version will ever be able to emulate. So then, toss your can opener and try this quick and easy recipe!

Ingredients

Makes enough for 4 people
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes

• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 onion, diced.
• 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped.
• 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika and 1 tsp of chilli powder (mild chilli powder is best for kids or those that don’t like their food too spicy).
  
• Pinto beans are the traditional choice for a refried beans recipe. However, I tend to use a four-bean frozen mix (it works just as well with tinned!) that’s made up of red kidney, haricot, black turtle and pinto beans – I like the texture and flavour this bean mix gives to the finished dish. If you want yours creamy and smooth, try using pinto beans only.
• Flat leaf parsley, because my other half is not a fan of coriander. You could use coriander (I think Americans call this cilantro?) but I do love the freshness of the parsley. Has to be flat leaf though, so step away from the curly stuff…
• a lime (or two)
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Start by heating the oil in the pan, and frying the onion and garlic over a medium heat until soft and translucent.

2. At this point, sprinkle on the cumin, paprika and chilli powder. Stir and cook for another minute.

3. Next, add the beans to the other side of the pan, and cook on a medium heat for a few minutes to soften them up a little.

4. After the beans have cooked for around five minutes or so, remove from the heat, grab a masher and crush your beans. I like a bit of texture to my refried beans so I don’t do this bit in a blender, but if you want them really smooth you could blend them in a food processer.

5. Now, turn the heat back on and cook for another five minutes to warm everything through. You may want to add some water at this point if the mixture is very stiff and thick.

6. Finally, stir in the chopped parsley, season with salt and pepper and then finish with a squeeze of lime juice. And that’s it! Your refried beans are ready to go

Beans, beans, and more beans…

If this recipe for homemade refried beans has got you hungry for more, check out this video from the History Channel to see how canned refried beans are made. Or alternatively take a look at this article from Pearson Ed to delve into the fascinating history of the bean and find out why this dish is called ‘refried beans’ when they’re actually only fried once. 

Looking for more delicious family recipes? Try these!

Quick Read Homemade Refried Beans Recipe

Ingredients:
● 1 tbs olive oil
● An onion – diced finely
● 2 garlic cloves – chopped finely
● 1 tsp of cumin, paprika, and chilli powder
● 400g pinto or mixed beans
● Large handful of flat leaf parsley
● Juice of 1 lime
● Salt and pepper

Instructions:
1. Start by frying the onions and garlic in the oil until soft.

2. Add the cumin, paprika and chilli powder. Cook for another minute.

3. Next, add the beans. Cook on a medium heat for five-ten minutes. Then remove the pan from the heat.

4. Use a masher to crush the beans, or use a food processor to blend them more finely.

5. Put back on the heat for another five minutes.

6. Finally, add the chopped parsley and lime juice, and season.

Your homemade refried beans are done!