Slow Cooker Refried Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lb. pinto beans
- 1 sweet yellow onion
- 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
- 4 chicken bouillon cubes
- 2 garlic cloves
peeled
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 6 cups water
- 1/2 cup salted butter)
(wait to add this at the end
Directions
- 1
This is a no soak recipe! The beans cook up perfectly without soaking. If you feel you must soak the beans overnight you can still do this recipe, but the cooking time remains the same.
- 2
Slice the onion into 4 large slices. In a large skillet set over medium-high heat add the cooking oil. Add the onion slices and brown them on both sides.
- 3
Sort the beans, discard any rocks or dirt clumps. Rinse the beans and add them to the slow cooker. Add the cooked onions on top of the beans
- 4
Add the chicken bouillon cubes, garlic and cayenne powder. Pour over the water.
- 5
Cover and cook on HIGH for 5-6 hours or on low for 10 hours.
- 6
When the cooking time is done ladle off about half of the pinto bean broth, save this broth just in case you need to add more liquid back.
- 7
Add the stick of butter into the beans. Using an immersion blender blend the beans until smooth. If you do not have an immersion blender, you can mash with a potato masher. Add the reserved broth if the beans seem too thick.
Slow Cooker Refried Beans
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About this Recipe
Craving the rich, savory flavor of homemade refried beans without the constant stirring? This Slow Cooker Refried Beans recipe delivers that authentic taste with minimal effort, letting your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting.
The genius of this recipe lies in its hands-off approach, allowing humble pinto beans to slowly tenderize into creamy perfection over hours. This extended cook time in the slow cooker ensures an incredibly soft texture and deep bean flavor without needing constant supervision. The crucial finishing step, which involves sautéed onions, garlic, and a generous amount of salted butter, truly elevates these beans, infusing them with aromatic richness and a silky smoothness that sets them apart from canned varieties. This method creates a depth of flavor that's hard to achieve with quicker techniques, making every spoonful supremely satisfying.
Prepare for incredibly creamy refried beans bursting with savory notes and a delightfully smooth consistency. The gentle, long cook time in the slow cooker ensures the pinto beans break down beautifully, resulting in a perfectly spreadable and tender texture. You'll taste the subtle sweetness from the sautéed onion, the aromatic warmth of fresh garlic, and a delicate touch of heat from the cayenne pepper, all magnificently enriched by the finishing butter. This recipe creates a comforting, hearty side that feels both traditional and incredibly easy to achieve in your own kitchen, delivering authentic flavors with minimal fuss.
Customization & Variations: For a vegetarian version, easily swap the chicken bouillon cubes for an equal amount of vegetable bouillon to maintain the savory depth. If you prefer less heat, simply reduce or omit the cayenne pepper. You can also experiment with different types of onions if a sweet yellow onion isn't available, though it adds a lovely mildness.
Serving & Context: These Slow Cooker Refried Beans are the perfect accompaniment to almost any Mexican-inspired meal, from classic tacos and burritos to enchiladas or simply as a hearty side for grilled meats. They also make a fantastic dip for tortilla chips or a flavorful base for bean dips.