Instant Refried Beans

Elevate your meals in just 15 minutes with these flavor-packed Instant Refried Beans! This quick and easy recipe transforms canned pinto or black beans into a creamy, zesty side dish using aromatic garlic, sautéed onions, and a bold blend of ground cumin and smoked paprika. Perfectly customizable, these refried beans can be mashed to your preferred texture and brightened with a squeeze of lime juice or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Whether served as a warm dip, taco filling, or a savory companion to rice and enchiladas, this fuss-free recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s as versatile as it is delicious. Try it tonight and enjoy a restaurant-quality classic made effortlessly at home!

Nutriscore Rating: 85/100

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups canned pinto or black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
• 0.5 cup yellow onion (finely diced)
• 2 cloves garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup vegetable broth or water
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped, optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil or butter in a medium skillet over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine the spices with the onion and garlic.

Step 5

Add the drained and rinsed beans to the skillet and stir to coat them in the spice mixture.

Step 6

Pour in the vegetable broth or water and let the mixture simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the beans to soften further.

Step 7

Using a potato masher or the back of a spoon, mash the beans to your desired consistency. For creamier refried beans, mash thoroughly; for chunkier beans, leave some whole.

Step 8

If the beans become too thick, add a splash of vegetable broth or water to loosen them up.

Step 9

Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or lime juice if needed.

Step 10

Serve hot as a side dish, dip, or filling. Garnish with chopped cilantro if using.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	705.7 grams (705.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	506

Total Fat 2.70g	3%
Saturated Fat 0.50g	3%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2401mg	104%
Total Carbohydrate 95.00g	35%
Dietary Fiber 28.50g	102%
Total Sugars 6.10g
Protein 28.10g	56%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 211mg	16%
Iron 10mg	57%
Potassium 1736mg	37%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 4.7%

Protein: 21.8%

Carbs: 73.5%