5 Minute Refried Beans Recipe - Build Your Bite (2024)

FAQs

Why do restaurant refried beans taste so good? ›

If you're wondering what is the secret ingredient for restaurant-quality refried beans, the answer is fat.

If you want a thicker refried bean, then use less water. If you want thinner beans, then you will use more broth. Save the leftover bean broth and use it to stir into your leftover beans. As they sit in the refrigerator and chill, they will thicken.

If you prefer thicker beans, there's a simple solution to boost flavor, add moisture, and thicken refried beans. Cream cheese is the not-so-secret weapon for making refried beans a yummy side dish to accompany rice, or a versatile taco or nacho topping.

Add milk instead of water.

You'll see in the recipe below that I add milk, not water, to my refried beans. It's just enough to give them a creamier texture and a richer flavor. If you prefer non-dairy, just swap out the milk for water or even chicken or vegetable broth.

Yet, since refried beans often contain added fat and salt, they may be higher in calories, saturated fat, and sodium than other beans. These factors may impair your weight loss goals, raise your risk of heart disease, and increase your blood pressure levels.

Fat and seasoning: Refried beans typically start with cooking beans in fat, such as lard, bacon fat, or vegetable oil. This fat adds richness and flavor to the beans.

I like to sprinkle in some taco seasoning, but you could add whatever spices you like — garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder are all good calls. Then, you mash the beans up directly in the pan and add just a little bit of vinegar at the end to really make the beans sing.

Milk makes refried beans creamy

This liquid can help make your beans smoother and taste richer. Once the beans are tender, it's time to fry them. Garlic is cooked in the oil and then the beans are added. The beans are mashed, and this is where the milk comes in.

Ingredients for a creamy refried bean dip typically include refried beans, sour cream, cheese (such as cheddar or Monterey jack), and seasonings (such as garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder). Optional ingredients may include diced tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro.

Should I drain canned beans for refried beans? ›

The Canned Beans Bottom Line

If you're a purist like me–who wants to be in control of the amount of added salt (while skipping the glossy film) in your dish–then yes, drain and rinse those beans first. But know that it's not wrong to use them straight out of the can.

The secret ingredient here is heat: without heat, the starch clumps and little thickening takes place Continue heating the beans on low while you mash them until you get the desired thickness. Add starch. If you want to keep your beans intact, use a commercial starch instead of mashing the beans.

But if you don't mind using dairy, I strongly recommend making these refried beans with butter! I like to use part of it to sauté the veggies. But then — fun trick — if you stir an extra pat of cold butter into the refried beans at the very end, it will make them extra silky and add a rich hint of buttery flavor.

Control the consistency of your beans by cooking them low and slow. If you put the heat too high, your beans will dry out faster. Your refried beans will continue to thicken as they sit, so taking them off the heat when they are still a little runny is totally fine!

Refried beans are typically made from pinto beans or other nutritious beans, so they contain several of the same nutrients that can improve heart and digestive health.

Fat and Oil: Refried beans are traditionally cooked with fat or oil to create a creamy and flavorful texture. Restaurants may use ingredients like lard, bacon fat, or vegetable oil to a.

While specific recipes and methods may vary, here are some common factors that can contribute to the flavorful taste of restaurant-style refried beans: Fat and seasoning: Refried beans typically start with cooking beans in fat, such as lard, bacon fat, or vegetable oil. This fat adds richness and flavor to the beans.

Refried beans are healthy because they are high in protein, fiber, minerals, and other nutrients and they may help you lose weight. Refried beans are a delicious and versatile dish that appears on the menus of many Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants. You can also easily make this meal at home or buy it in a can.

It's just the liquid the beans were cooked in. To complete, a glug of extra virgin olive oil is poured over the beans. Since beans are pretty much fat-free, the olive oil lends necessary fat and a luxe mouthfeel that's rarely found in dishes made with canned beans.