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Refried beans, or frijoles refritos, are served as a side dish in Mexico. They also can be used as an ingredient in Mexican foods such as burritos or nachos. They are not just a restaurant specialty— refried beans are very simple and inexpensive to make at home. No specialty equipment or ingredients are required. Read on to learn how to make refried beans that your friends and family will enjoy.
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Introduction
- Refried Beans are a traditional Mexican dish, usually made with pinto beans. They are not actually fried twice; dried beans are first prepared in a traditional manner, by boiling for several hours, and then are mashed and cooked again with shortening and seasonings.
Step 1: What You'll Need for Refried Beans
Step 2: How to Make Refried Beans
- Rinse the beans in cold water, and remove any foreign matter, like stones or twigs
- Place the rinse beans in a pot, and cover with water. Make sure there is at least 3 inches of water over the top of the beans.
- Bring the water to a boil, and cook for 2 minutes.
- Cover the pot, and turn off the heat.
- Let the beans sit, covered for at least an hour.
- Pour off the soaking water.
- Add fresh water, again making sure that the beans are covered by at least 3 inches of water.
- Bring the beans to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer until tender. This will take 2-3 hours, depending on the age of the beans.
- Strain the beans, reserving 1/4 cup of the cooking water.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan.
- Add the beans and the reserved cooking water
- Stir the beans, mashing them with the spoon as you cook. Its not necessary to get a uniform texture, but you should have more mashed beans than whole beans when done.
- Add salt to taste
Step 3: Refried Beans Tips
- You can substitute black beans or red kidney beans for the pinto beans.
- The beans can be boiled ahead of time, and refrigerated before being mashed and cooked. If starting with cold beans, you'll want to make sure they are thoroughly heated through before serving.
- You can start with canned beans if you don't have the time to prepare dried beans from scratch.
- Butter can be used instead of the oil.
- Add 1/4 cup of finely chopped onion, or a clove of garlic, minced, to the shortening before frying the beans.
- Top with grated cheese, if desired.
Step 4: Refried Beans Recipes
- Simply Recipes: Refried Beans (December 18, 2005)
- All Recipes: Refried Beans Without the Refry
- Food Network: Refried Beans
