Description
This easy refried beans recipe features creamy, flavorful pinto beans cooked with aromatic spices and fresh ingredients. Perfect as a side dish or filling for Mexican-inspired meals, it combines olive oil, onions, garlic, chili powder, and cumin to create rich and savory beans mashed to your preferred consistency. Fresh cilantro and lime juice add brightness and a touch of tanginess for a delicious homemade classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup finely chopped yellow or white onion (about ½ small onion)
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, rinsed and drained, or 3 cups cooked pinto beans
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (about ½ medium lime), to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oil and cook onions: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering. Add the finely chopped onions and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened and turned translucent, about 5 to 8 minutes, bringing out their natural sweetness.
- Add garlic and spices: Add the pressed garlic, chili powder, and ground cumin to the saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds, to bloom the spices and enhance their flavors.
- Combine beans and simmer: Pour in the rinsed and drained pinto beans along with ½ cup of water. Stir to combine, then cover the saucepan and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat to allow flavors to meld and beans to heat through.
- Mash the beans: Reduce the heat to low and remove the lid. Using a potato masher or the back of a fork, mash at least half of the beans to your desired consistency, creating a creamy texture with some chunks for added bite. Continue cooking uncovered for another 3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Finish and season: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the chopped fresh cilantro and lime juice to brighten the dish. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lime juice as needed. If the beans seem too dry, add a small splash of water and stir well. Cover the beans until ready to serve to keep warm and moist.
Notes
- Use either canned or freshly cooked pinto beans; just rinse and drain canned beans before using.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder to control the spiciness level.
- If you prefer a smoother texture, mash more of the beans or use a food processor briefly.
- The lime juice can be increased to add more tang, balancing the earthiness of the beans.
- These refried beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: refried beans, pinto beans, easy side dish, Mexican beans, homemade refried beans, vegetarian beans
