If youre a fan of Mexican food, youve probably eaten refried beans quite a few times. This food is a common accompaniment to burritos, tacos, and other tasty Tex-Mex or Mexican dishes. Along with being hearty and delicious, beans also provide lots of nutrients that are essential for health and wellness. Derived from pinto beans, refried beans are a great source of fiber and protein, as well as important minerals like zinc and iron. These nutrients support good heart health, help regulate blood sugar, and promote healthy digestion.
Known as frijoles refritos in Spanish, refried beans are believed to have originated in northern Mexico about a century ago. In addition to seasonings like cumin and chili powder, refried beans can also be fried with onion and garlic for even bolder flavors. As for the name refried beans, most people assume that means the beans are fried not once but twice. However, this belief actually stems from a common misunderstanding of the Spanish language.
“Refried” doesn’t mean the beans have been fried twice. The word comes from the Spanish name for the dish—frijoles refritos. In Spanish “refritos” means “well fried”. To make the beans you have to cook them in water first to soften them.
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Regarding the ‘re’ in refried beans
Both English and Spanish share the prefix re, as illustrated by the words refritos and refried. However, the prefix does not mean the same thing in English as it does in Spanish. To English speakers, re is typically understood to mean again. As a result, most assume that refried beans are fried two separate times during the cooking process. In Spanish, the prefix actually translates to very. Accordingly, refritos are not fried two times, but they are very fried.
In addition to canned beans, you can also use dried beans to make this dish. In this case, its a good idea to soak your beans prior to cooking to ensure they achieve the proper texture. The beans must also be boiled in water before frying, ensuring they can be effectively mashed into a paste while frying. Be sure to save some of the boiled bean water to add to the frying pan, in addition to other ingredients like onions and seasoning. If youre pressed for time and would rather use canned beans during dinner, there are a few ways you can amp up the flavor.
Food Tech: Refried Beans | History
FAQ
Are refried beans fried first?
What is the difference between refried beans and regular beans?
How do Mexicans say refried beans?
Why is it called refried beans?
That said, many people wonder why exactly it’s called refried beans. Understandably, most people assume that means frying the beans twice, but that’s not really accurate. The real reason behind the strange name is a classic case of mistranslation. In Mexican Spanish, the prefix “re” is an informal slang that basically means “very” or “well”.
Are refried beans healthy to eat?
Refried beans may support your heart, digestion, and blood sugar levels. Beans are high in fiber, magnesium, and potassium — a powerful combination that may promote heart health. They are low on the glycemic index(GI), which measures how quickly a food raises your blood sugar levels. It contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants that may protect your body from free radical damage and help prevent age-related disease and death.
What does refried beans mean in Spanish?
That being said, “refried beans” in Spanish means “very fried,” and the beans are only fried once. However, the dish was originally called “frijoles refritos.” “Frijoles” means “beans,” and “refritos” refers to the term “well-fried.”
What exactly are refried beans (and do they need to be fried)?
Refried beans, known in its home country of Mexico as frijoles refritos, are one of the most iconic Mexican dishes. That said, many people wonder why exactly it’s called refried beans.