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Here’s how to make homemade refried beans! The texture and flavor are much tastier than canned, and they’re totally plant-based. It’s a staple recipe all home cooks should know!
Here’s a secret for you: the best refried beans are homemade refried beans! Yes, you can easily buy refried beans in a can (we often do). But after you make them at home, you’ll immediately taste the difference. The flavor and texture are loads better than the canned ones you can find at the store.
When we have time, we love making refried beans at home. It’s so simple, and you can do it with canned beans or beans that have been cooked from dry. Here’s how to do it!
How to make homemade refried beans (a tutorial)
These homemade refried beans are easy to make, and take about 20 minutes total time. We guarantee that you’ll find it’s worth the time when you take your first taste! These refried beans taste rich and buttery, though they don’t have any butter or lard like traditional recipes. Of course if you want to substitute butter or add a little more, we won’t judge! Here are the basic steps for how to make homemade refried beans:
Step 1: Mince the garlic and drain the beans. Here’s the important part: save that can liquid: you’ll use it in the recipe to get a creamy texture (you can also use water).
Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a skillet, then sauté the garlic for 1 minute. Add the beans and about ½ cup of the can liquid (or water) and cumin, chili powder and salt. Cook over medium low heat until the beans become soft and easily fall apart when mashed, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 3: Mash the beans with a potato masher until they come to the desired consistency (or a fork, if you don’t have a masher). You also can add a little water if you’d like the beans to have a thinner texture.
Video: how to make homemade refried beans
Ways to serve homemade refried beans
There are so many great ways to serve homemade refried beans. Here are our top ways to eat them:
- Side dish: They’re the perfect side to go with tacos. Garnish with queso fresco, chopped cilantro, and a sprinkle of chili powder.
- Taquitos: Make these baked flautas (taquitos) as a tasty snack.
- Taco filling: These refried bean tacos are very tasty.
- Refried bean dip: This refried bean dip is so delicious dipped with tortilla chips.
- Enchiladas: Serve them in or alongside cheese enchiladas, chicken enchiladas, or vegan enchiladas.
Got an Instant Pot? Make our Easy Instant Pot Refried Beans instead (using dried beans).
Got black beans? Go to Refried Black Beans.
Dietary notes
This homemade refried beans recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free.
Homemade Refried Beans
The best beans are homemade refried beans! The texture and flavor are WAY better than canned: plus they’re healthier too (and plant based).
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 ½ cups (4 servings) 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 15-ounce cans pinto beans or 3 cups cooked pinto beans, plus ¾ cup can liquid or water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Mince the garlic. Drain the beans and reserve the can liquid in a glass measuring cup. (Use water if using cooked beans.)
- In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but before it browns.
- Turn the heat to medium low and carefully add the beans (liquid hitting oil can cause it to spit!), ½ cup of the reserved can liquid, cumin, chili powder, and kosher salt. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, adding the remaining ¼ cup can liquid when it starts to become drier. (How long you cook will depend on the bean brand or whether you’re using beans cooked from dry.) When the liquid gets thick and the beans become easy to mash, remove from the heat. Mash with a potato masher until the desired texture is reached. If you’d like to loosen up the texture, add more water. Serve immediately.
More bean recipes
Because Alex and I eat mainly vegetarian and vegan recipes, we have lots and lots of recipes with beans! Beans provide vital plant based protein in our diet. Here are a few more bean resources for you:
- Try our top bean recipes or chickpea recipes.
- Make Instant Pot black beans or Instant Pot pinto beans.
- Go for black beans and rice, a seriously tasty side dish that should be in your arsenal.
- Make cannellini beans into a tasty side dish with this easy recipe, packed with Mediterranean flavor and plant-based protein.
How just wondering what a serving size is? Thanks!
A heaping half cup.
I have yet to try this recipe, but probabalg will sometime in the near future.
I just want to clarify something. In the title you emphasize “plant based”. Beans over all are plant based. So for you to put emphasis on it, are you implying that canned refried beans typically have some type of meat in them? Thanks
Hi! Yes, many canned refried beans are cooked in fat from meat. Check the label for “vegetarian” if you are buying them.
Can you freeze your homemade refried beans recipe?
Yes, it should freeze fine!
OMG best refried beans since my last visit to my favorite Mexican restaurant in Milwaukee!
Thank you for this recipe!! I’ve used it multiple times now to make Fajitas for bigger groups of people.