Authentic Refried Beans
Made with just a few ingredients, this authentic refried beans recipe is easy & healthy. Stove top, Instant Pot & slow cooker instructions!
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.