Refried Beans Homemade

Dive into the rich, authentic taste of homemade refried beans with this easy-to-follow recipe! Made from scratch with tender, slow-simmered dried pinto beans, aromatic garlic, and diced onion, these refried beans are elevated with the creamy richness of lard or vegetable oil and warm spices like cumin and black pepper. With an optional hint of lime juice for a zesty twist, this versatile dish is the perfect side for Mexican-inspired meals or as a flavorful filling for tacos, burritos, and more. Ready in just over two hours, this recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a comforting, protein-packed delight that’s both satisfying and budget-friendly. Say goodbye to canned beans — once you try these irresistible refried beans from scratch, you won’t go back!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:130 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried pinto beans
• 8 cups water
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons lard or vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon (optional) lime juice

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the pinto beans under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.

Step 2

In a large pot, combine the pinto beans, water, diced onion, garlic cloves, and the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.

Step 3

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the beans simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are very tender. Stir occasionally and add more water if needed to keep the beans covered.

Step 4

Once the beans are cooked, discard the bay leaf and drain the beans, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking liquid.

Step 5

In a large skillet, heat the lard or vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the cooked beans to the skillet and mash them using a potato masher or the back of a spoon.

Step 6

Add the reserved cooking liquid a little at a time to reach your desired consistency. The beans should be creamy but not runny.

Step 7

Stir in the salt, ground cumin, and ground black pepper. Cook the mashed beans for an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until they reach the consistency you like.

Step 8

Optional: Stir in the lime juice for a touch of brightness.

Step 9

Serve the refried beans warm as a side dish or use them as a filling for tacos, burritos, or other Mexican dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2473.2 grams (2473.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	835

Total Fat 30.30g	39%
Saturated Fat 11.30g	57%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.80g
Cholesterol 26mg	9%
Sodium 5623mg	244%
Total Carbohydrate 112.20g	41%
Dietary Fiber 35.10g	125%
Total Sugars 6.50g
Protein 34.80g	70%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 352mg	27%
Iron 10mg	54%
Potassium 1853mg	39%

*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: 31.7%

Protein: 16.2%

Carbs: 52.1%