Refried Beans - The perfect side dish for Taco Night, made in a fraction of the time of the classic method.
TIP: If you prefer a smoother texture, process a little bit more with an immersion blender. I just happen to like them thick and chunky.
*This post contains affiliate links*
You guys know how I have all kinds of pretty recipes posted on this blog of mine?
Well, this ain't one of them!
Don't get me wrong, these Instant Pot Refried Beans are tasty as all get out, they just aren't pretty. If you can make refried beans look pretty, then I am in awe of you. I can't. I didn't even try.
If you are new here, I swear, I do have some pretty recipes. Look at Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake, Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Meatballs and/or Instant Pot Cheesecake for proof.
When it comes to refried beans, I find there are two camps. Those who like the beans thick with some "bite" to them and those who like them super smooth and thin. I fall into the thick category. There has got to be a better way to word that. Oh well, moving on.
If you fall into the category of wanting a thinner, more smooth refried bean recipe, just add more liquid to the pot and process the beans well at the end.
To process the refried beans, I find the easiest method is to use an immersion blender. No need to transfer beans to another device (like a blender or food processor), which means less clean up.
I will admit, I've never even attempted homemade refried beans before. I've heard they take all day. Who the heck has time for that? Not this chick.
It was only after getting my new love, the light of my life, my best friend, my Instant Pot, Instant Pot, that I even entertained the idea. By the way, that is seriously how I feel about my Instant Pot. Don't judge. It's not weird. If you have one, you know. If you don't, well, then, I'm sorry for you.
Oh, one last thing. I generally like to top my refried beans with some shredded cheese. A weird thing happened though, I, um, I ran out of cheese. I NEVER run out of cheese. I've got blocks upon blocks and even bags upon bags. You guys know, I have a major cheese obsession. There is ALWAYS tons of cheese in my fridge. I had my beans ready, tacos heading to the table and I go to grab the cheese and whaaaaaaa ? All I had was 3 blocks of various mozzarella cheeses, a fontina, some goat crumbles and a pecorino. I ended up finding a jar of queso, so we used that for the tacos but I wasn't feeling it for the beans.
See, you probably don't believe me when I say I cook for my family and then blog it, unlike most bloggers who blog it and then feed to family. Listen kids, I'm just chugging away over here trying to feed these humans that live in my house. So stuff happens. It's real life.
To make these Instant Pot Refried Beans simply place cleaned beans in the Instant Pot with all the other ingredients and set it to high pressure for about 45 minutes. Once the timer goes off, allow the pressure cooker to naturally release. Season beans with salt and process with an immersion blender. Done.
So, I'll leave you with this one last thought - don't forget to buy cheese for taco night!
Printable Recipe Card
Instant Pot Refried Beans
foodyschmoody
Refried Beans made in a fraction of the time of the classic method. This recipe calls for using an electric pressure cooker. Great side dish for Taco Night!
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry pinto beans rinsed well
- 1 medium sweet onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic roughly chopped
- 1 jalapeno seeded and chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dry oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked
- 3 T coconut oil, vegetable oil, lard or fat of your choice
- 3 ½ C beef broth/stock or water
- salt to taste
Instructions
Place rinsed beans, onion, garlic, jalapeno, cumin, oregano, black pepper, oil and broth in Instant Pot.
Cover the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is on sealing. Set instant pot by pressing the beans/chili setting and adjusting the time to 45 minutes.
When timer is complete, allow pot to come to a natural release. This will take about a half hour (could be a bit more).
Once the pressure has been released, season with salt and use immersion blender to process to desired consistency.
If desired, garnish with more jalapenos, cheese and/or cilantro before serving.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Toppings or Stir-In Ideas for Refried Beans:
- cilantro
- monterey jack cheese
- sliced jalapenos
The owner of this website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon properties including, but not limited to, amazon.com, endless.com, myhabit.com, smallparts.com, or amazonwireless.com.
Related
FAQs
If you don't like bacon flavor in your refried beans (which I don't, but some do), you can simply add chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and some oregano to those beans. An alternate addition is adding a bit of your favorite salsa to them.
How do you thicken pinto beans for refried beans? ›
Return to the beans to the pot. With an immersion blender (or by hand with a potato masher), puree the beans until they reach your desired consistency, adding some of the reserved liquid as needed.
Why do people add milk to refried beans? ›
Milk makes refried beans creamy
This liquid can help make your beans smoother and taste richer. Once the beans are tender, it's time to fry them. Garlic is cooked in the oil and then the beans are added. The beans are mashed, and this is where the milk comes in.
Can you add sour cream to refried beans? ›
Ingredients for a creamy refried bean dip typically include refried beans, sour cream, cheese (such as cheddar or Monterey jack), and seasonings (such as garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder). Optional ingredients may include diced tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro.
How do restaurants make refried beans taste so good? ›
If you're wondering what is the secret ingredient for restaurant-quality refried beans, the answer is fat. Restaurant-made refried beans honor traditional Mexican culinary practices by adding a hearty helping of lard or bacon fat drippings to their recipe.
What is the secret of refried beans? ›
If you want a thicker refried bean, then use less water. If you want thinner beans, then you will use more broth. Save the leftover bean broth and use it to stir into your leftover beans. As they sit in the refrigerator and chill, they will thicken.
Why are my refried beans so dry? ›
Control the consistency of your beans by cooking them low and slow. If you put the heat too high, your beans will dry out faster. Your refried beans will continue to thicken as they sit, so taking them off the heat when they are still a little runny is totally fine!
How do you make refried beans not watery? ›
Cream cheese is the not-so-secret weapon for making refried beans a yummy side dish to accompany rice, or a versatile taco or nacho topping. The dairy in cream cheese not only thickens refried beans to a creamier consistency — cream is in the name — but it also incorporates the rich, silky flavor of dairy.
How do you make refried beans less soupy? ›
The secret ingredient here is heat: without heat, the starch clumps and little thickening takes place Continue heating the beans on low while you mash them until you get the desired thickness. Add starch. If you want to keep your beans intact, use a commercial starch instead of mashing the beans.
Why are restaurant refried beans better? ›
If you're wondering what is the secret ingredient for restaurant-quality refried beans, the answer is fat. Restaurant-made refried beans honor traditional Mexican culinary practices by adding a hearty helping of lard or bacon fat drippings to their recipe.
But if you don't mind using dairy, I strongly recommend making these refried beans with butter! I like to use part of it to sauté the veggies. But then — fun trick — if you stir an extra pat of cold butter into the refried beans at the very end, it will make them extra silky and add a rich hint of buttery flavor.
What makes refried beans unhealthy? ›
Yet, since refried beans often contain added fat and salt, they may be higher in calories, saturated fat, and sodium than other beans. These factors may impair your weight loss goals, raise your risk of heart disease, and increase your blood pressure levels.
What is in taco Bell refried beans? ›
WATER, PINTO BEANS, SALT, SOYBEAN OIL, PINK BEANS, NATURAL FLAVOR, SOY LECITHIN.
How to make refried beans Jamie Oliver? ›
In a large frying pan, heat a splash of oil and fry the garlic, chilli and coriander stalks for 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden. Drain the beans, then add along with the peppers, then season to taste. Fry for 15 to 20 minutes on a low heat, stirring occasionally, until crispy.
What kind of cheese do you put on refried beans? ›
If you're looking for a restaurant-quality refried beans recipe, you trust us when you say you have found it. We love to serve the beans right out of the skillet, garnish with crumbled Cojita cheese, or shredded mozzarella.
What to add to bland refried beans? ›
Try adding spices and herbs such as paprika, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, coriander, epazote (a Central American herb similar to oregano), or cilantro. They all offer a traditional Latin American taste that takes refried beans to the next level.
What makes refried beans taste good? ›
If you're doctoring a can of refried beans, you'll likewise add a spoonful of lard, bacon grease, or butter. However, considering the thickness of canned refried beans, you might want to add a bit of broth or water, plus seasonings like garlic or onion powder, salt, and pepper.
How do you make beans taste good? ›
Those aromatics in the pot will revolutionize the beans' final flavor. The aromatics I tend to use are onions, carrots, garlic, and celery, and then heartier, woodsy herbs, like rosemary, sage, and thyme, which marry beautifully with the earthy-sweet flavor of beans.
foodyschmoody
