What Beans Should I Use For Refried Beans?

You can technically re-fry any bean but pinto beans are the most common. Black beans are my second favorite choice.

Pinto beans are great for refried beans because once they are cooked they are very soft and tender. We want soft beans so that we can mash them or blend them to the desired consistency. We also want the right flavor. Beans in general are very bland until you add spices and seasonings. Pinto beans take on our Mexican spices and seasonings so perfectly.

Other beans such as navy beans are extra creamy and pair best with Italian seasonings. Kidney beans have thick skin and hold their form really well, they are best for soups and don’t mash as well as pinto beans. Black beans also get very soft and blend or mash up very nicely as well. Black beans are also great in Mexican dishes.

How To Cook Dried Beans

Before you cook your dried beans you need to soak them. Soaking the beans reduces gas making them easier to digest. Soaking them will also make them more tender and and softer when they are fully cooked. To add more flavor you can soak your beans in salt water. Here are a few different ways you can soak the beans.

How to Soak Dried Beans

• Quick Soak (1 hour). In a large pot add your beans and water at a 1(beans):3(water) ratio. Turn the heat on and boil for 1-2 minutes. If there is foam on the the top of the water drain that water and boil again for 1-2 minutes with fresh water. Let the beans soak in the hot water for 1 hours. Add a table spoon of salt for flavor. The quick soak will not help all remove the gas from the bean and they may take longer to cook (close to 2 hours).
• Hot Soak (4 hours). It is just like a quick soak except you let it soak for 4-6 hours. This is typically how I soak my beans. 9AM rinse, boil for 1-2 minutes and start the soak, 3PM start to cook and they are ready by 4:30-5:00 to add to my dinner recipe.
• Overnight Soak (8-12 hours). In a large pot or bowl add your beans and water at a 1:3 ratio and let soak in the refrigerator over night. More water is better. The beans will expand 2-3 times their size as they soak. Add a table spoon of salt for flavor. In the morning, rinse the beans and with fresh water bring to a boil. If any foam appears on the water drain and rinse the beans and start cooking again with fresh water. Overnight beans usually take less then an hour to cook thoroughly.

How To Cook Soaked Beans

Now that the beans are soaked we will rinse them one more time and cook them in fresh water and seasoning. For refired beans we will use some Mexican flavor seasonings and spices.

Seasoning

To season Mexican flavored refried beans we use

• Chili Powder
• Garlic Powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Theme *optional
• and 1 Jalapeno

Add these seasonings, spices and one whole jalapeno to your fresh cooking water and beans and cook for 1-2 hours. Once done your beans will be soft and full of flavor.

*Theme is optional. It is not a common Mexican flavored herb but complements them well. Theme is also really healthy for you. I’m always looking for opportunities to add immunity busting herbs and ingredients to my recipes and theme is a good one.

How to Re-fry Beans

Now that our beans are soaked and cooked we can finally make them “Re-fried”.

Drain most of the water out of the beans leaving just a quarter-half an inch of water. You can always add more if needed. You could also add lime or lemon juice or some oil for flavor. I typically don’t add these ingredients but some recipes do. Next mash your beans with bean or potato masher or a immersion blender. Heat up if needed, serve and enjoy!

If you want more spice and heat with your beans, mash the jalapenos (or half of it) in with your beans!

How To Get The Right Texture In Refried Beans

There are two main keys that will determine the texture of the refried beans.

• The amount of water/moisture
• The if you mash or blend

If you like a smooth, almost soup like texture for your refried beans you will need a little more water and use a blender. You can use a regular blender or an immersion blender.

For a thicker, chunkier texture use less water and mash with a masher or a fork. With the masher you will have a lot more control with how smooth or chunky your beans end up. I personally don’t like them too soupy so I ways use a potato masher and add water as I go for just the right texture.

Refried Beans

Prep Time: 6 hours

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 7 hours 30 minutes

Print

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 dried pinto beans
• 5 cups water
• 1 whole jalapeno
• 1 teaspoon salt (for soaking) + 1 teaspoon salt (for cooking)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon theme * optional

Instructions

1. Soak beans. In a pot add 1 1/2 cups dried pinto beans with 5 cups water and a teaspoon of salt. Soak overnight. (read above for faster soaking options)
2. Cook beans. Rinse the water and add 5+ cups of fresh water. Add seasonings, spices, and the whole jalapeno. Cook for 1-2 hours.
3. Re-fry the beans. Drain the beans and place them back in the pot with just a little bit of water. You can also add a little oil or lemon or lime juice if you want. Mash the beans with a bean masher, potato masher or use an immersion blender. Reheat is needed and enjoy!

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