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Authentic Refried Beans Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 100 reviews

This Authentic Refried Beans recipe features perfectly cooked pinto beans simmered with aromatic herbs and garlic, then pan-fried to a creamy, flavorful consistency. Whether prepared on the stovetop, slow cooker, or Instant Pot, the beans are mashed and sautéed with lard or bacon drippings and onions, delivering a traditional Mexican staple perfect as a side or main component in your meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • ½ lb dried pinto beans
  • 1 small bay leaf
  • Sea salt or kosher salt, to taste
  • Ground black pepper, to taste (optional)

Aromatics

  • ½ medium onion, quartered (for boiling)
  • 3 tbsp minced onions (for frying)
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly smashed
  • 2 sprigs fresh epazote or ½ teaspoon dried oregano

Fats

  • 4 tbsp lard or bacon drippings (or 2 tbsp olive oil, vegetable oil, or unsalted butter)

For Garnish

  • Queso fresco or cotija cheese (or Monterrey Jack cheese), crumbled or shredded
  • Cilantro, chopped

Water

  • Enough to cover beans by at least 2 inches during cooking

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Beans (Soaking): Soak the dried pinto beans overnight in water, or if short on time, place the beans in a heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water by 2 inches, and soak for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Drain before cooking.
  2. Cook Beans on Stove Top / Slow Cooker / Instant Pot: For stovetop, add soaked beans, quartered onion, garlic cloves, epazote or oregano, bay leaf, and water covering beans by 2 inches into a large pot. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until beans are tender, about 1.5 to 2 hours. For slow cooker, combine same ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours until tender. For Instant Pot, add ingredients into a 6-quart or larger pot, seal lid, cook on high pressure for 45 minutes, then naturally release pressure for 25 minutes.
  3. Drain and Discard Aromatics: Once beans are tender, discard onion, garlic, epazote (or oregano), and bay leaf. Drain beans, reserving approximately 3 cups of cooking liquid.
  4. Heat Cooking Fat and Onions: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm lard, bacon drippings, or your choice of fat until hot or melted. Add the 3 tablespoons minced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
  5. Add and Mash Beans: Stir in the cooked beans and cook for about 2 minutes. Add ¼ to ⅓ cup of reserved bean cooking liquid and mash the beans using a bean or potato smasher or the back of a wooden spoon until achieving a chunky purée. For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender.
  6. Finish Cooking Refried Beans: Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking the beans, stirring frequently, until heated through. Adjust consistency by adding more cooking liquid if too dry or simmering to thicken if too wet.
  7. Season and Serve: Season refried beans with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Serve topped with crumbled queso fresco, cotija, or shredded Monterrey Jack cheese and chopped cilantro as garnish.

Notes

  • If you’re short on time, the Instant Pot method significantly reduces cooking time while retaining traditional flavors.
  • Epazote adds authentic flavor but can be substituted with oregano if unavailable.
  • Use lard or bacon drippings for the most traditional taste; olive oil or butter are good alternatives for a lighter option.
  • The beans can be mashed to your preferred texture—from chunky to creamy—depending on your taste.
  • Adjust seasoning at the end, especially salt, as beans absorb flavors during cooking.
  • These refried beans make an excellent side dish for Mexican meals such as tacos, burritos, or as a dip with chips.

Keywords: refried beans, pinto beans recipe, authentic Mexican beans, side dish, traditional refried beans, slow cooker beans, Instant Pot beans

Find it online: https://kochenmitviktoria.com/authentic-refried-beans-recipe/