There’s something incredibly satisfying about refried beans from a restaurant. The crackly top, creamy texture, tantalizing salty flavor. Pure bliss.
When experimenting with a version at home, I was going for that classic creamy, buttery texture, and simple seasonings — sticking mainly to salt and broth. Anything more seemed overcomplicated. After all, well-salted, creamy beans don’t need much else. The final result was pure magic.
Plus, we found a quick workaround to never mash beans by hand again, AND we include versions for canned pinto beans, cooked from scratch, and beans made in the Instant Pot. Let us show you how easy this technique really is!
Yes, blenders can be used to grind coffee beans. It is best to use a blender than can use small containers designed for this like Oster or Hamilton Beach.
Origins of Refried Beans
Frijoles refritos are believed to have originated in the early 1900s in Northern Mexico (source).
And while the name directly translates to English as “well-fried beans”, when the dish spread to the southern United States, it became “refried beans.”
But contrary to what the name implies, refried beans are not fried twice. They are however, incredibly delicious! For those interested, you can find a more traditional recipe for refried beans here!
How to Make Refried Beans
Our 1-pot, 6-ingredient version isn’t traditional (ours omits lard), but it doesn’t skimp on flavor and is incredibly easy to prepare.
The first step is to cook the pinto beans (or use canned in a pinch). If cooking from dry beans, you can either use this stovetop method or, for a quicker preparation, cook them in an Instant Pot.
Once your beans are cooked, it’s time to turn them into refried beans!
Start by sautéing onion and garlic in a bit of oil until tender. This adds another layer of flavor to the beans.
Next, add the cooked beans along with any leftover cooking liquid (or liquid from the can). Then add just enough vegetable broth to cover the beans, season with salt, and simmer to make the beans more tender and easier to mash. If the beans start to dry out or stick to the bottom of the pan, add more vegetable broth.
For mashing, there are options: 1) use an immersion blender, or 2) use a bean or potato masher.
The immersion blender is our preferred because it yields incredibly creamy beans in seconds!
All that’s left to do is garnish and serve! We like topping with cilantro, lime juice, and red onion. Hot sauce and vegan queso are also delicious.
We hope you LOVE these refried beans! They’re: Creamy Savory Comforting Quick Easy & Versatile
Enjoy with rice, as a dip for tortilla chips, in our Mexican 7-Layer Dip, or with your favorite Mexican-inspired dish.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
HOW TO PEEL BEANS WITH A BLENDER FOR AKARA/MOI MOI. KELECHI KELECHI TV
FAQ
Is it OK to blend beans?
Can you blend cooked beans?
Can you blend raw beans?
How do you grind beans in a blender?
Okay, now that we have some background information, it’s time to get to grinding. The first step is to toss a small amount (try 1/4 cup) of beans into the blender. Pulse the beans on medium speed to break them down to your preferred grind.
What is the best way to eat beans?
The best way to eat beans is to first cook them in a large pot of water, about 4 cups of water to every 1 cup of beans. Adding lemon grass or other herbs to the water can improve the flavor. Once beans are cooked the best thing to do is combine them with cooked rice, this is because beans are low in methionine and rice is low in lysine, so combining them makes a more complete protein.
What happens if you use a blender to grind beans?
When using the blender to grind beans, you should expect the container’s darkening due to long exposure. With lengthy use, the dark streaks may be permanent. The container may also get a strong aroma from the beans, which can affect the flavor and smell of other foods processed in it.
How to grind coffee beans with a blender?
When grinding coffee beans with a blender, it’s crucial to find the right balance of speed and time to achieve the desired grind consistency. Start by pulsing the blender for short bursts to prevent overheating the coffee beans. This will also help create a consistent grind.