To make refried beans, follow these steps for an authentic, flavorful result using dried pinto beans:
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry pinto beans (about 2 cups)
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 2 tablespoons lard or oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 teaspoons salt, to taste
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Water for soaking and cooking
Instructions
1. Rinse and soak the beans:
Sort through the dry beans to remove any debris, then rinse well. Soak them
overnight in plenty of water to soften
. 2. Cook the beans:
Drain the soaked beans and place them in a large pot. Cover with fresh water
about 2 inches above the beans. Add the quartered onion and a couple dashes of
salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for about 1 hour or
until beans are tender. Add more water if needed during cooking
. 3. Prepare to fry:
Drain the beans, reserving some of the cooking liquid. Heat lard or oil in a
skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant
. 4. Fry and mash the beans:
Add the cooked beans to the skillet along with cumin, oregano, and about ¼ cup
of the reserved bean broth. Gently mash the beans with a potato masher or fork
while stirring, adding more broth as needed to achieve a creamy, mashed
potato-like consistency. Season with additional salt and spices to taste
. 5. Serve:
Serve hot as a side dish, optionally topped with shredded cheese or garnishes
of your choice
Alternative cooking methods:
- Instant Pot: Rinse beans, add onion and salt, cover with water, pressure cook for 45 minutes, then sauté and mash as above
- Slow Cooker: Combine ingredients with water, cook on high for 8 hours, then mash in a skillet
- Using canned beans: Skip soaking and cooking; sauté onion and garlic, add canned beans and some liquid, then mash
This homemade method yields rich, authentic refried beans with real flavor and texture, superior to canned versions
