Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

south-of-the-border essentials: refried beans

Recipe by
Andy Anderson !
Wichita, KS

This is my go-to recipe for good refried beans. Over the years I have poked and prodded it, until I came up with this current version. It is always a favorite, and totally beats any “canned” variety. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.

yield serving(s)
prep time 10 Min
cook time 25 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For south-of-the-border essentials: refried beans

  • PLAN/PURCHASE
  • 3 Tbsp
    sweet butter, unsalted
  • 1/2 md
    yellow onion, grated
  • 3 clove
    garlic, minced
  • 4 c
    cooked pinto beans, recipe link to follow
  • 1 tsp
    chili powder
  • 1 tsp
    ground cumin
  • 1 Tbsp
    lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • white pepper, freshly ground, to taste
  • salt, kosher variety, to taste

How To Make south-of-the-border essentials: refried beans

  • 1
    PREP/PREPARE
  • 2
    Here is the recipe that I use for the pinto beans, feel free to use your own version. https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/side/vegetable/cooking-under-pressure-flavorful-pinto-beans.html
  • 3
    When you make the beans, reserve some of the cooking liquid. You might need it to thin out the beans.
  • 4
    Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
  • 5
    Grate the onions, and the pat some of the excess liquid with a paper towel.
  • 6
    Add the butter to a skillet over medium heat.
  • 7
    When the foaming subsides, add the grated onion.
  • 8
    Cook until the onions soften, and begin to brown, about 3 – 4 minutes, then add the garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 60 additional seconds.
  • 9
    Add the beans, then cook and stir, until the mixture come up to a simmer, about 5 minutes.
  • 10
    Add the chili powder, and cumin, and stir for an additional 1 – 2 minutes.
  • 11
    Crush the beans with the back of a large spoon, or put them into a food processor, fitted with an S-blade, and give them a few pulses.
  • 12
    Place the beans back into the skillet, and add the lime juice, and some salt and pepper to taste.
  • 13
    Continue to cook, and taste for proper seasoning, about 5 – 7 minutes.
  • 14
    Chef’s Tip: If the refried beans are a bit too thick, use some of the liquid from cooking the pinto beans to thin it out.
  • 15
    PLATE/PRESENT
  • So yummy
    16
    Serve anywhere you would use refried beans. Enjoy.
  • Stud Muffin
    17
    Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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