Name: Mexican Refried Beans (Frijoles Refritos)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: PT-496207H25M20S
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 cups dry pinto beans; 6 cups water; ¼ small white onion; 2 whole garlic cloves; a few epazote leaves (optional); 1 large jalapeño pepper, whole; 3 tbsp oil (olive, vegetable, lard, or bacon grease); ⅓ cup finely chopped white onion; 1 clove garlic, minced; 2 whole chiles de arbol or a serrano pepper (optional, for heat); 1 large pinch of sea salt, to taste

Mexican Refried Beans (Frijoles Refritos)

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Elevate your next meal with these incredibly simple homemade refried beans. Forget the can—this recipe delivers a rich, creamy, and flavorful side dish that will make you feel like a pro in the kitchen.

Author: Jose
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 50 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 55 mins (includes bean cooking time)
Yield: 6 1x
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups dry pinto beans
6 cups water
¼ small white onion
2 whole garlic cloves
a few epazote leaves (optional)
1 large jalapeño pepper, whole
3 tbsp oil (olive, vegetable, lard, or bacon grease)
⅓ cup finely chopped white onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 whole chiles de arbol or a serrano pepper (optional, for heat)
1 large pinch of sea salt, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the Beans: Sort and rinse the beans. Place them in a large pot with the water, quartered onion, whole garlic cloves, epazote, and jalapeño. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until beans are tender. Add a pinch of salt and cook for another 10 minutes. Do not discard the cooking liquid!
Make the Flavor Base: In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Sauté the finely chopped onion until golden and a little crispy. Add the minced garlic and chiles de arbol (if using) and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
Mash and Finish: Add the cooked, drained beans to the skillet. Pour in about ¼ cup of the reserved bean broth. Using a potato masher, mash the beans to your desired consistency, adding more broth a little at a time until the beans are smooth or chunky, just the way you like them.
Season and Serve: Taste the beans and add more salt if needed. Simmer on low for about 8 minutes, stirring often, until they thicken.

Notes

Serving Suggestions: Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro. Serve as a side for tacos, burritos, or enchiladas, or as a dip for chips.
Tips & Tricks: Using lard or bacon grease gives the most authentic, rich flavor. Don’t rush the onion sauté—that’s where the flavor is built!
Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They will thicken in the fridge, so add a splash of water or broth when reheating. These beans also freeze beautifully.

Find it online: https://new.projuktigeek.com/mexican-refried-beans/