Rich and creamy those easy refried beans are a great addition to your burritos, huevos rancheros or, 7 layer dips; as a side to Mexican dishes or even a dip with corn chips for apéritif. 3 ingredients + oil & salt.
Recipe
Makes: 1.25 to 1.5 cup | Time: 20 to 30 min
Ingredients
- 1.5 tbsp neutral oil
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion (about 1/2 to 1 onion)
- 1 to 2 garlic gloves (1/2 tbsp packed minced garlic)
- 1.5 cup cooked kidney or black beans (one 200g / 7oz can)
- 6 tbsp brine from canned beans + water if needed to complete
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp salt (the brine in the canned beans will add salt to the dish so taste and adjust quantity)
Method
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Finely dice the onion and garlic.
- Sauté onion and garlic in the pre-heated oil, stirring frequently, until soft and just beginning to brown (about 4 to 5 min).
- Add beans and sauté 2min.
- In a blender, blend beans with liquid (brine and/or water). You can also use a hand blender or the back of a spoon / potato masher to break down the beans.
- Return the mixture to the pan and cook for another 5 min stirring occasionally to detach the starch from the bottom of the pan. The beans will thicken when cooling so don’t hesitate to add more water during this process if needed.
- As beans thicken add salt (start with 1/4 tsp and then adjust to taste).
- Once the beans have reached desired consistency, remove from heat.
Substitutions
I highlight here the core of the dish and suggest some possible substitutions to adapt the refried beans to your preferences, diet and ingredients available to you.
Core: Beans or other legume.
Substitutions:
Method: For more texture you can blend (or mash with the back of a spoon) half of the beans, and mash the other half more lightly keeping a few beans intact.
Ingredients:
| Recipe components | Possible substitutions* |
| Beans | You can use any kind of legume available to you. |
| Onion | • Shallots |
| Possible seasoning adjustments | • Skip the garlic • Add cumin (preferable whole seeds sautéed in the oil before adding beans) • Add coriander powder • Add fine diced peppers in with the onions |
Country
Mexico
Mexico
The Global Homecook 