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Home Blog Course Main Course

Refried Black Beans

Cheryl Malik
Cheryl Malik Posted: 05/31/19 Updated: 07/04/22
5
/5
24 Comments
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Refried Black Beans Pinterest image
Refried Black Beans Pinterest image
Refried Black Beans Pinterest image

This refried black beans recipe is lightyears better than canned. They’re flavorful and tender, the perfect texture, and they’re naturally vegan. Made in about 15 minutes with canned black beans, they’re perfect as a quick side dish for any Mexican or TexMex recipe. 

Bowl of refried black beans with queso fresco

There’s only one right answer when asked if you want whole or refried beans. Only one.

I sometimes wish I were the type of person that ordered whole beans–the type of person who (on purpose!) opts for water instead of wine, fruit instead of cake, a light vinaigrette in lieu of a rich, creamy salad dressing.

But I’m not. No, it’s refried beans all the way for me (and wine and cake and rich, creamy salad dressing). Rich, often spiced, and full of flavor, they’re perfect–not just alongside your veggie enchiladas–but smeared inside a burrito, scooped onto a chip, providing a bed for a layered dip.

Yet the options are usually limited for vegans. You can get “vegetarian” refried pinto beans from a can, if you’re lucky, but most of the time, taqueria-refried beans are loaded with lard, a pretty clear no-no for the vegans in the house.

Why This Recipe Is So Good

  • They’re absolutely crammed full of flavor.
  • This recipe is super quick and easy, made in about 10 minutes.
  • These refried black beans are totally vegan.
  • They’re a perfect side dish for those Latin flavors that seem to always accompany warmer weather.
  • This recipe is super versatile; you can add cumin, cilantro, and any other spices or flavors you might like.

Try these refried black beans stuffed into burritos, layered on top of tortilla chips for delish nachos, or as a side dish for just about any Mexican or TexMex dish. We also love them spooned onto my Tofu Sofritas Bowls or Chipotle Beef and Avocado Bowls.

How to Cook Dried Black Beans

If you only have dried black beans on hand, use this method to cook them. For an added bonus (and digestive comfort), soak them first. There’s more info on soaking beans in the same link in this section.

Try using your Instant Pot to cook dried beans, too.

Do make sure that if you cook your beans from dried that you give yourself plenty of time to simmer them. If you try to speed up the process by cooking them above a simmer, the outsides will become tough, which is all-around not the best!

Well, now I’m hungry.

Skillet of refried black beans with queso fresco on top

Other Recipes You’ll Love

  • Best Restaurant Style Salsa
  • Avocado Salsa
  • Instant Pot Refried Beans
  • Shredded Beef Tacos
  • Texas Caviar (aka Cowboy Caviar)
  • Avocado Dressing
  • 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken
  • Ranch Style Beans
  • Crockpot Chicken Tacos
  • Pickled Beet Tacos
  • Mexican Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

Bowl of refried black beans with queso fresco
5 from 11 votes

Refried Black Beans

Prep:15 minutes
Cook:15 minutes
Total:30 minutes
Made with cooked black beans in about 15 minutes, this is the perfect side dish for any Mexican or TexMex recipe!
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8 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons neutral oil avocado, refined coconut, or other neutral oil
  • ½ cup finely chopped white onion
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 ½ – 2 teaspoons kosher salt see Notes
  • 3 cups cooked black beans canned or homemade, drained, divided
  • ¾ cup liquid from can of black beans or ¾ cup water

Equipment

  • Medium skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • Potato masher optional

Instructions 

  • Heat medium skillet over medium heat. When hot, add neutral oil and swirl to coat bottom of skillet entirely.
  • When oil is hot and shimmering, add chopped onion, minced garlic, and kosher salt. Stir well and cook, stirring constantly, until vegetables are soft and begin to brown, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
    Refried black beans ingredients
  • Add 1 ½ cups black beans to skillet. Use back of wooden spoon or potato masher to mash beans completely, until no whole or partial beans remain. Add remaining 1 ½ cups black beans and mash to preferred consistency.
    Mashed black beans in a skillet
  • Cook mashed beans, stirring constantly, until starches begin to coat bottom of skillet and turn golden brown, approximately 3 minutes.
  • Slowly pour in bean liquid or water and stir to incorporate. Bring mixture to simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring and scraping bottom of skillet, until liquid is fully incorporated and beans are heated-through, approximately 2 minutes. Note: beans may look soupy but will thicken as they cool. Be sure to use the entire ¾ cup of liquid to prevent beans from drying out.
    Refried black beans in a skillet
  • Serve as desired with chips, tacos, or other entrée.
    Bowl of refried black beans on a napkin with queso fresco

Notes

  • Beans: You’ll need roughly two 15-ounce cans of black beans to yield 3 cups of cooked beans. I recommend using a low sodium version or quickly rinsing the black beans after draining.
  • Salt: It’s important that you use kosher salt in this recipe. If using table salt instead, use only ¾-1 teaspoon total.
  • Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 7 days.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 137kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 1020mg, Potassium: 247mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 0.4g, Vitamin A: 4IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 1mg, Net Carbs: 10g

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

 

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

 

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

© Author: Cheryl Malik

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Cheryl Malik

Meet Cheryl Malik

Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She's been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.

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  1. Francesca Bassignani says

    Posted on 10/4/22 at 12:09 pm

    so flavorful! I made my beans from dried beans! I did not have much broth so i added chicken broth instead of water!5 stars

    Reply
    • Megan | 40 Aprons TeamMegan | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 10/9/22 at 4:57 pm

      That’s perfect! Thank you so much, Francesca, we appreciate your feedback!

      Reply
  2. Paris says

    Posted on 7/4/22 at 6:13 pm

    waaaay to salty

    Unfortunately, that’s all I can taste. I think I will try making it again without adding salt or adding less since the canned beans already have salt.

    Reply
    • Megan | 40 Aprons TeamMegan | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 7/4/22 at 6:41 pm

      So sorry to hear that, Paris! Were you using kosher salt or table salt? The recipe calls for kosher salt, so if you use table salt, be sure to dial the amount back by at least 50%. I hope you’ll give this one another try and let us know how it turns out for you the second time!

      Reply
  3. Erin says

    Posted on 1/17/22 at 6:13 pm

    This is my go to recipe for refried beans. I’ve made it several times and it is amazing. It so quick and easy to make!5 stars

    Reply
    • Anna Claire | 40 Aprons TeamAnna Claire | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 1/17/22 at 9:20 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂5 stars

      Reply
  4. Cristy Fletcher says

    Posted on 2/7/21 at 4:59 pm

    This recipe created quite possibly the best refried beans I have ever had. So easy, delicious and perfect. Thanks!5 stars

    Reply
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