Authentic Refried Beans
Ingredients
- ½ lb dried pinto beans
- ½ medium onion
quartered
- 2 garlic cloves
peeled and lightly smashed
- 2 sprigs fresh epazote
or ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 small bay leaf
- Water
- Sea salt or kosher salt
- 3 tbsp minced onions
- 4 tbsp lard or bacon drippings
or 2 tbsp olive oil, vegetable oil, unsalted butter
- Ground black pepper
- Queso fresco or cotija cheese
or Monterrey Jack
- Cilantro
chopped
Directions
- 1
If you decide to make this recipe on the stove top, you will need to soak the beans overnight! If you forget to do so, place the beans in a heatproof bowl. Add enough boiling water to cover the beans by 2 inches. Let the beans soak for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Drain.
- 2
Add the dried beans to the crock pot. Add the onion, garlic cloves, fresh epazote or dried oregano and bay leaf. Add enough water to cover the beans by at least 2 inches.
- 3
In a 6 Qt Instant Pot or larger, add the dried beans, the onion, garlic cloves, fresh epazote or dried oregano and bay leaf. Add enough water to cover the beans by at least 2 inches or more.
- 4
In a large skillet, heat the lard, bacon drippings or oil until hot, or butter until melted over medium-high heat.
Authentic Refried Beans
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About this Recipe
Craving the authentic taste of restaurant-quality refried beans right at home? This recipe delivers that rich, savory flavor you love with just a few simple ingredients, making homemade refried beans an easy and healthy addition to any meal. You'll love how straightforward it is to achieve such deep, satisfying results.
What makes these refried beans stand out is their foundation of whole dried pinto beans, slowly cooked and infused with fresh aromatics like onion, garlic, and the unique herbaceous notes of epazote. While the cook time is longer, the prep is minimal, and the ability to choose between stove top, Instant Pot, or slow cooker methods ensures this recipe fits seamlessly into your schedule, delivering superior flavor that far surpasses canned versions.
When you prepare these Authentic Refried Beans, you can expect a wonderfully creamy texture and a deeply savory, earthy flavor profile that is both comforting and incredibly satisfying. The slow cooking allows the pinto beans to break down beautifully, absorbing all the aromatic goodness, resulting in a smooth, spreadable consistency that's perfect for a variety of dishes. This is a hearty, wholesome dish that feels both comforting and genuinely nourishing.
Customizing these beans is simple. For a truly rich and traditional flavor, lard or bacon drippings are excellent choices for frying. However, you can easily opt for olive oil, vegetable oil, or unsalted butter if you prefer a lighter profile or want to keep the dish vegetarian. If fresh epazote is not available, dried oregano is a specified, effective substitute. When it comes to garnishing, queso fresco or cotija cheese offer a traditional salty tang, or you can use shredded Monterrey Jack for a meltier finish.
These versatile refried beans are perfect as a robust side dish for any Mexican-inspired meal, a hearty filling for tacos and burritos, or simply enjoyed as a comforting snack topped with your favorite cheese and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.