Authentic Mexican Refried Beans
These beans are the ones you hope to get on your plate when eating real Mexican food. They go great as a side dish or in a burrito, and more!
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. dry pinto beans
- 1/2 yellow onion (cut into 1" chunks)
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 garlic cloves (whole)
- 4 tbsp lard
- water
- cotija cheese (optional topping)
Directions
- 1
Add pinto beans, garlic cloves, onion, salt and oregano to a medium saucepan. Cover with about 2 inches of water. Bring water to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Cover and cook beans for 1 1/2 hours, or until very tender.
- 2
Strain cooked beans from the bean juice and reserve the juice for later.
- 3
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 4 tbsp lard and the beans. Fry up the beans for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- 4
Reduce heat to low and add bean juice to the skillet (should be about 1/2-3/4 cup juice). Begin to smash beans using a potato masher until you reach your desired consistency. If you like your beans very smooth with no chunks of beans, place in a blender and blend until smooth. Add a little bit of water, about 1 tbsp at a time, if your beans are too thick.
- 5
Serve refried beans with crumbled cotija cheese (optional)! Enjoy!