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

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Refried beans recipe from scratch made in just 5 minutes! All you need is a handful of ingredients to make this delicious mexican favorite.

5 Minute Refried Beans Recipe - Build Your Bite (1)
Today I’m sharing with you my favorite 5 minute homemade refried beans recipe.

I have loved refried beans since I was a little girl.

I remember on several occasions eating them straight out of the can with chips…cold even!

I have found since I began to eat healthy that refried beans can be either 1) hard to find with clean ingredients or 2) expensive.

That’s when I decided to make them myself.

How do you make refried beans?

Partially drain a can of black beans or pinto beans.

The more liquid you leave, the runnier the beans will be. For super thick refried beans, drain most of the liquid.

If you want more runny beans, say for pouring over nachos, leave a little more liquid than normal

Use an immersion blender to puree the beans until smooth.

Do this step first while the beans are still room temperature. If the beans splatter, at least they will not be hot.

I have learned this the hard way! If you do not have an immersion blender, use a potato masher and mash them as much as possible

Once your beans are smooth, place them in a saucepan over medium heat and add the lime juice and spices.

Heat until warm (less than five minutes) and they are ready to serve!

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refried black beans

Refried beans are classically made with pinto beans, but you can also make them with black beans.

I personally love to make refried black beans!

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I’m a fan of all things mexican food wise, especially as a vegetarian/mostly vegan.

We eat mexican at least once a week, if not more.

It’s an easy and delicious way to get lots of protein and lots of flavor!

Uses For Refried Beans

  • A healthy bean dip – I love eating them dipped with tortilla chips!
  • Use as filling in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, you can’t go wrong!
  • Drizzle these vegan refried beans over nachos for an extra protein and flavor punch

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These are so simple but really flavorful!

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Like I said above, I use black beans and pinto beans interchangeably in this recipe.

Whichever you have on hand will work!

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Ever since I got my immersion blender, it has been my best friend and this recipe is one of the main reasons why!

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I love these beans alone, or in pretty much anything.

I had a hard time photographing them because I kept dipping chips in to eat. The flavor is so addictive!

Refried beans recipe from scratch:

Ever since I discovered the immersion blender hack, I’ve been making my own homemade refried beans instead of buying them.

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I’m not one of those people that likes to make everything from scratch, but with as easy as this recipe is it takes no work at all!

These refried beans are perfect in my Simple Refried Bean Enchiladas!

Pin this refried beans recipe:

5 Minute Refried Beans Recipe - Build Your Bite (9)

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a star rating below!

Are you making this recipe? I want to see! Be sure to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe pictures!

5 Minute Refried Beans Recipe - Build Your Bite (10)

Yield: 6 servings

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

5 minute homemade refried beans - use canned black beans and just a few spices to make a quick and delicious addition to dinner!

Ingredients

  • 1 can of black beans or pinto beans, partially drained (see notes)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • squeeze of lime juice (I used around ½ small lime)

Instructions

  1. Partially drain beans and pour into a pan
  2. Using an immersion blender, blend beans in pan until they are a puree texture
  3. Add spices and lime juice and heat over medium heat until hot (around 3-5 minutes)
  4. Serve on burritos, nachos, tacos, or as a dip
  5. Enjoy!

Notes

Drain beans according to how thick you want the refried beans to be. I drained about half of the liquid from mine and it was spreadable but not extremely thick. It will thicken if stored in the fridge also.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 44Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 103mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 3gSugar: 0gProtein: 3g

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a star rating below!

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

FAQs

Why are Mexican restaurant refried beans so good? ›

Why Do Restaurant Refried Beans Taste So Good? Most authentic Mexican restaurants use lard in their refried bean recipes which adds another layer of flavor and helps achieve the ideal creamy texture.

Why is refried beans unhealthy? ›

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.

How do you elevate canned refried beans? ›

Adding fresh ingredients like chopped onions, diced jalapenos, or minced garlic can elevate the flavor of canned refried beans. You can also mix in fresh cilantro or diced tomatoes for added freshness and texture.

Are refried beans good for muscle gain? ›

Even prepared beans, such as baked and refried, can be bodybuilding friendly. Check labels on canned and prepared beans–some types can be loaded with unhealthy fats and salt, and you generally want to avoid canned beans that include bacon.

Do most Mexican restaurants use lard in refried beans? ›

If you're wondering what is the secret ingredient for restaurant-quality refried beans, the answer is fat. Restaurant-made refried beans honor traditional Mexican culinary practices by adding a hearty helping of lard or bacon fat drippings to their recipe.

What to add to canned refried beans to make them better? ›

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.

Are refried beans bad for your gut? ›

  • Refried beans are actually not necessarily easier on the digestive system than normally cooked beans.
  • Beans, in general, can be difficult for some people to digest due to their high fiber content and the presence of certain complex carbohydrates that can cause gas and bloating in some individuals.

What happens if you eat refried beans everyday? ›

- Fiber excess - The high fiber content of beans every day can result in gastrointestinal issues like bloating, gas, cramping and diarrhea due to overloading the digestive system. - Low blood sugar - With inadequate carbohydrate variety, blood sugar levels could become difficult to maintain.

Are refried beans bad for gut health? ›

Additionally, refried beans are a good source of dietary fiber. Fiber plays a crucial role in digestive health, promoting a feeling of fullness and aiding in proper digestion. This is essential for maintaining a healthy gut and can be particularly beneficial for individuals focused on weight management.

How to jazz up refried beans? ›

14 Ways To Add Flavor To Canned Refried Beans
  1. Include a dollop or two of sour cream. Alena_Kos/Shutterstock. ...
  2. Squeeze in some lime juice. ...
  3. Sautee onion and garlic. ...
  4. Experiment with warming spices. ...
  5. Start with flavored refried beans. ...
  6. Pack on the heat with fresh chiles. ...
  7. Mix in canned adobo sauce. ...
  8. Cook with broth for deeper flavor.
Oct 29, 2023

How do restaurants make refried beans taste so good? ›

If you're wondering what is the secret ingredient for restaurant-quality refried beans, the answer is fat. Restaurant-made refried beans honor traditional Mexican culinary practices by adding a hearty helping of lard or bacon fat drippings to their recipe.

What to eat with refried beans? ›

The best side dishes to serve with refried beans are a chicken burrito bowl, birria tacos, tostadas, steak fajitas, mushroom tacos, stuffed shells, carne asada, sweet potato fries, taquitos, Mexican rice, chicken enchiladas, grilled corn on the cob, guacamole, chiles rellenos, quesadillas, and pico de gallo.

What are the best beans for body building? ›

Beans. Many different types of beans can be part of a diet for lean muscle gain. Popular varieties like black , pinto , and kidney beans contain around 15 g of protein per cup (about 172 g) of cooked beans.

How to get a lean body? ›

Tips to Decrease Body Fat and Increase Lean Muscle Mass
  1. eat 4 to 5 small meals spaced 3 to 4 hours apart. ( ...
  2. drink plenty of water.
  3. avoid fatty foods and foods high in simple sugars.
  4. don't skp meals or fast in attempt to lose weight (fasting slows metabolism)
  5. engage in weight training to increase lean muscle mass.

How to build muscle fast? ›

6 Tips to Help You Build Muscle Faster
  1. Maximize your workout time with compound exercises. Some exercises only focus on specific muscles in your body. ...
  2. Go for high-intensity workouts. ...
  3. Make sure you're eating enough. ...
  4. Get enough rest. ...
  5. Try supplements. ...
  6. Make a goal to train each muscle two to three times per week.
Jan 11, 2023

Why do restaurant refried beans taste better? ›

If you're wondering what is the secret ingredient for restaurant-quality refried beans, the answer is fat. Restaurant-made refried beans honor traditional Mexican culinary practices by adding a hearty helping of lard or bacon fat drippings to their recipe.

Are refried beans at a Mexican restaurant healthy? ›

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.

What kind of beans do Mexican restaurants use? ›

The pinto bean is perhaps one of the most common type of beans used in most Mexican dishes. Like the black bean, the pinto bean is also loaded with nutritious elements including high fiber and protein. Pinto beans are served both whole and mashed, which will become the refried bean.

Are Mexican refried beans unhealthy? ›

Key takeaway: Refried beans are a nutrient-rich food, providing plenty of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. While some people who are at high risk for heart disease may need to watch out for the saturated fat content, most refried beans provide an appropriate amount of fat for the average adult.

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