Refried Black Beans

Creamy, flavorful, and delightfully versatile, this Refried Black Beans recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a richly satisfying dish bursting with savory and fresh notes. Made from tender, simmered dried black beans and infused with aromatic garlic, sautéed onion, and warm cumin, these refried beans are elevated with a zesty splash of lime juice and fresh cilantro. Perfectly creamy thanks to a touch of reserved cooking liquid, they can be customized with optional queso fresco for a decadent finish. Whether served as a hearty side dish, a taco or burrito filling, or a dip for tortilla chips, this easy-to-follow recipe is a must-have for any lover of Mexican-inspired cuisine. Ready in just two hours with minimal prep, it’s the perfect make-ahead option to take your meals to the next level.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:130 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried black beans
• 4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, chopped white onion
• 2 minced garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh cilantro
• 0.25 cup, crumbled (optional) queso fresco

Directions

Step 1

Start by rinsing the dried black beans under cold water to remove any debris. Once cleaned, place the beans in a large pot and cover them with 4 cups of water.

Step 2

Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the beans simmer for about 90 minutes or until they are tender. Check periodically, adding more water if necessary to ensure the beans remain submerged.

Step 3

Once the beans are cooked, drain them, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking liquid.

Step 4

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it's softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute until the garlic becomes fragrant.

Step 6

Stir in the cooked black beans, ground cumin, salt, and ground black pepper with the onion and garlic mixture. Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to mash the beans to your desired consistency, adding reserved cooking liquid as needed to achieve a creamy texture.

Step 7

Continue to cook the beans, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes or until the mixture thickens to your liking.

Step 8

Stir in the lime juice and fresh cilantro, then taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Step 9

Serve the refried black beans hot, garnished with crumbled queso fresco if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1362 grams (1362.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	652

Total Fat 36.70g	47%
Saturated Fat 10.00g	50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.10g
Cholesterol 6mg	2%
Sodium 2997mg	130%
Total Carbohydrate 59.30g	22%
Dietary Fiber 18.30g	65%
Total Sugars 5.90g
Protein 25.20g	50%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 294mg	23%
Iron 6mg	36%
Potassium 939mg	20%

*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: 49.4%

Protein: 15.1%

Carbs: 35.5%