Best 8 Zesty Refried Beans Recipes

THE BEST HOMEMADE REFRIED BEANS

Steps:

• In a heavy skillet (I used a cast iron one), fry the 2 slices bacon until crispy on medium high heat. Remove the bacon and set aside. Chop into small pieces when cooled.
• Meanwhile, the diced onion to the bacon grease in the skillet; sauté until soft and slightly browned (about 2 minutes).
• Add the chili powder (1 teaspoon) and cayenne pepper (1/4 teaspoon); stir to coat the onions.
• Add the drained and rinsed pinto beans and chicken stock (1/2 cup). Use a potato masher (or a fork) to mash the beans to desired texture, then stir to incorporate with the liquid.
• Continue heating until heated through. It may seem pretty watery at this point. If there is too much liquid, continue heating until some of the liquid has evaporated, until you reach the desired consistency, stirring frequently, keeping in mind the beans will thicken additionally as they cool.
• Stir in cilantro (1/4 cup) if using, the chopped bacon, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

HOMEMADE REFRIED BEANS

Steps:

• Rinse pinto beans in a colander, removing any unwanted pebbles or pieces that may be in the bag.
• Add the beans to a large pot, cover with water and soak overnight.
• Drain soaked beans and return them to the pot. Add fresh water to cover the beans up to two inches above them. Add onion to the pot and a couple dashes of salt.
• Bring beans to a boil, cover and simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally. Check the beans and if they're not completely cooked after one hour, let them simmer a few minutes longer until they're done.
• Drain the beans, removing the onion and reserving the bean broth water.
• In a large skillet (preferably an iron skillet), heat lard or oil over medium heat.
• Add the garlic and stir. Add the beans, cumin, oregano and 1/4 cup of the bean broth. (You could also chop the reserved onion and add it to the pan).
• Cook, gently smashing the beans as they cook with a potato masher or fork.
• Continue stirring and mashing, adding additional bean broth as needed until you get the texture you like and the beans are the consistency of soft mashed potatoes. Taste and season with additional salt, cumin and oregano, as needed. Top with shredded cheese, if desired.

REFRIED BEANS

Steps:

• Heat the coconut oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, coriander and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until the spices are toasted and the garlic has softened, 1 minute. Add the pinto beans, chicken stock and chipotle puree and bring to a boil. Cook until the stock has reduced by about half and the mixture has thickened, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Off the heat, mash the beans to a smooth paste with a potato masher, leaving some beans partially mashed to add some texture. The beans should have the consistency of a thick sauce; if they're difficult to stir, they're too thick. If needed, thin the beans out with extra chicken stock, 1 tablespoon at a time.
• Finish by stirring in the lime juice and adding salt to taste. Garnish with queso fresco and cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.

SPICY CHEESY REFRIED BEANS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic until onion becomes translucent, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Cook and stir refried beans into onion mixture until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir cream cheese into bean mixture. Spread mixture into a pie plate; top with Cheddar cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

QUICK AND EASY REFRIED BEANS

Steps:

• Heat canola oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat.
• Cook garlic cloves in hot oil, turning once, until brown on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Smash garlic cloves in skillet with a fork.
• Stir pinto beans, cumin, chili powder, and salt into mashed garlic and cook until beans are thoroughly heated, about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• Smash bean mixture with a potato masher to desired texture. Squeeze lime juice over smashed beans and stir until combined.

ZESTY SAUSAGE & BEANS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, brown the sausage. Transfer to a 4-qt. slow cooker; add the beans, tomato sauce, green pepper, onion, water, bacon, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic, thyme, marjoram and cayenne. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until vegetables are tender. Serve with rice. Freeze option: Freeze cooled sausage mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally; add broth or water if necessary.

SPICY REFRIED BEANS

Steps:

• Melt the butter with the olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the serrano chile and cook until the chile begins to brown, about 1 minute. Add the beans and chicken broth. Cook over medium heat, frequently mashing only the beans (not the chile), until the beans are a thick paste, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the chile and serve.

ZESTY REFRIED BEANS

Steps:

• Combine refried beans, chili powder, and cumin in a medium saucepan; cook over low heat until thoroughly heated.
• Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream.