Well, the title of this post really sums this up. These truly are are the Best. Refried Beans. Ever.
They even have the endorsement of my native Texan husband, who stated out loud and swore a sacred oath that these were, in fact, the Best. Refried. Beans. Ever.
And that’s saying a lot!
Seriously, guys. You need to make these as soon as possible. Eat them as a side, with eggs for breakfast, or on nachos with refried beans and jalapeños.
They are bursting with flavor- smoky, spicy, simple, fresh, and decadent. (They are made with bacon and bacon grease, as per tradition. See recipe/notes below for a lighter/vegetarian version.)
It was all I could do to take these photographs without sneaking bite after bite of the delicious concoction. (Um OK actually I did take multiple bites and I kept having to smooth it out and add more cilantro garnish on top to make it seem like I didn’t.)
We had these with simple tacos filled with smoky Mexican pulled chicken and topped with an onion/cilantro mixture in corn tortillas.
I think next time I make the Best Refried Beans Ever, I’ll use them in the tacos themselves- one of my favorite taco combinations is refried beans, a fried egg, and onions/cilantro.
And hot sauce. Can’t forget the hot sauce!
BUT WAIT. THERE’S MORE!
As if the delicious refried beans and chicken tacos weren’t enough, Zach made us some blood orange margaritas to have with our meal.
There’s something about Mexican food and margaritas that just makes you think “summer.” And in the middle of a New England snowstorm, cooped up in our apartment, Zach and I were able to experience one of the best parts of a warmer climate and forget about the horrible weather for a little bit.
Really, if you ask me, Mexican food should be part of the winter survival guide that all northerners should incorporate at least biweekly during the months of January-March. It should be a requirement.
Back to the recipe.
These refried beans are a one pot dish, they are CHEAP (as are almost all bean-based dishes), and they are ready in a mere 10-15 minutes. While they are best fresh and hot from the skillet, they can also be made ahead of time and reheated, or frozen for a later use.
They are super easy to make, and like I said before, they are the BEST REFRIED BEANS EVER.
How to make really smooth refried beans
As you’ll see in the recipe below, I used a potato masher to make my beans. I like the texture somewhat lumpy, and I like that it’s a really simple process to mash them directly in the pot.
If you like very smooth refried beans, however, you can puree the beans and broth in a food processor or blender before adding to the skillet.
How to make refried beans healthier or vegetarian
If using bacon and bacon grease sounds like a little too much for you, or if you are vegetarian, you can omit the bacon and use butter to sauté the onions.
You may want to throw a little smoked paprika or chipotle hot sauce in there to give it some of the smoky flavor it will be missing without the bacon.
And as usual, since it’s my favorite piece of cookware on the planet, I recommend using a well seasoned cast iron skillet for this recipe (here’s how to use and season a cast iron skillet!).
What to serve with refried beans
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Mexican Roasted Zucchini
- Smoky Chicken and Avocado Tacos
- Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos
- Zucchini and Corn Tacos with Fresh Guacamole
- Chipotle Salmon Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema
- Vegetarian Enchiladas Verdes
Recipe below! Enjoy :-) 
The Best Refried Beans Ever
Equipment
- Potato Masher
Ingredients
- 2 slices bacon
- 1/2 onion diced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or less, if you prefer mild spice
- 15 oz. canned pinto beans drained and rinsed (about 1.5 cups cooked beans)
- 1/2 cup chicken stock/broth or veggie stock, or water
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a heavy skillet (I used a cast iron one), fry the 2 slices bacon until crispy on medium high heat. Remove the bacon and set aside. Chop into small pieces when cooled.
- Meanwhile, add to the bacon grease the onion; sauté until soft and slightly browned (about 2 minutes).
- Add the chili powder (1 teaspoon) and cayenne pepper (1/4 teaspoon); stir to coat the onions.
- Add the drained and rinsed pinto beans and chicken stock (1/2 cup). Use a potato masher (or a fork) to mash the beans to desired texture, then stir to incorporate with the liquid.
- Continue heating until heated through. If there is too much liquid, continue heating until some of the liquid has evaporated, until you reach the desired consistency, stirring frequently, keeping in mind the beans will thicken as they cool.
- Stir in cilantro (1/4 cup), chopped bacon, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Notes
- Like super creamy refried beans? Puree the beans and stock in a blender or food processor before adding to the skillet.
- Vegetarian? Use butter to sauté the onion, omit the bacon, and use veggie stock or water. For a vegan option, use olive or canola oil.
- Make ahead Instructions: They can be made ahead of time and reheated, but they *may* dry out just a little bit as they sit in your fridge. Adding a little water or a squeeze of lime juice should help with that.
- The provided nutrition information does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. Feel free to calculate it yourself using this calculator or by adding the recipe to Yummly.
Kathi
These beans are fantastic and so easy. Most of the recipes have me cooking for hours, unless I use my pressure cooker. I love using bacon instead of Lard. And using the canned Pintos – I only used a skillet – which was quick and easy. I did make two changes/additions – used Better than Bouillon Chicken Base (has no MSG and low sodium) and just prior ot serving I sprinked the beans when I served them with 1-2 tablespoons of Mozzarella cheese – Yum!!!!!! Thanks again for posting this recipe.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Geo.
OK E. L. Just finished making your receipe. Used an Instapot to cook the dried pintos and then used it to saunte the onions to translucient, then added the recommended spices along with diced jalapwnos and red chilli peppers. Putting the final product on the Tex-Mex themed group pot luck now. Ill let you know if the pot is cleaned. Thanks. Choose your receipt after reviewing many.
Geo.
I too added cumin.
Elizabeth Lindemann
Hope the pot was, indeed, cleaned! :-)
Tessa Hudson
Very good recipe. This is the only one I use
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you like it!
Dan Cassidy
how much cumin did you use?-THANKS
Elizabeth Lindemann
I suggest using about 1 teaspoon. Hope you like it!
Wendy
I’ve been making this recipe for a couple of years now. I refuse to use canned refried beans after trying this.
One note for anyone lucky enough to have access to Old El Paso Mexe-Beans (I know they’re available in Australia. I first made this recipe when I lived there), use them in this recipe. You will love them.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you like the recipe!
East Coast Cannuck
I have been searching for the perfect refried beans recipe for years. My search is over! Simple really is best sometimes. Thank you for my new go-to recipe. I only put in 1/8 of a tsp of cayenne and used homemade pork broth that I had on hand and pinto beans that I cooked in my Instant Pot. Fantastic!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!!
Angela
Love these. Will never buy refried beans in a can again.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Juju
I have a silly question I soak the beans overnight and then found this recipe later I picked out the bad beans and there were no rock so that’s good. My question is I want creamy beans and I can purée them or do I just purée the skin from the beans if they fall off as well
Elizabeth Lindemann
You can just puree everything after you make it- that should work!
Alison
I never knew how easy refried beans were!! Made these twice, and they’re on the menu for tonight too:) Omitted bacon and bacon fat and used ghee and some smoked paprika. My family loves loves loves these – thank you!
Elizabeth Lindemann
Aw yay! So happy you and your family like them!
Shileen
How well do these freeze? Would like to make ahead for husbands hunting trip so he can take with. Thanks
Elizabeth Lindemann
These freeze really well! You may need to add a little water to them when you reheat if they are too thick, but they are really good to freeze. Hope you and your husband like them!
Shileen
Awesome, thanks so much!!! They are a favorite in our home already!!
Mona
Can I use these in a 7 layered dip and serve cold
Elizabeth Lindemann
YES, that’s an awesome idea! Hope you like it!
Karen
This was a really good recipe. I added cumin.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Chris
Yeah, I was gonna say that she left out the key spice in any refried beans recipe. Cumin! They just aren’t the same without it, kinda like chili without cumin.
Attention chef: you’d get five stars from me if you added cumin to your recipe. Please consider for all of humanity’s sake! Oh, and double the beans. One can would last us about five minutes! 😀
Elizabeth Lindemann
Hah! Love your passion for cumin! It would be a delicious addition to these refried beans, and I’ll have to try adding it next time I make these. And I’m all about doubling (or tripling) recipes like this, especially if I’m giving it to my kids who tear through refried beans in the blink of an eye :-)
Ben
Best Beans Ever! I highly recommend. Made these several times and I am serving them at my wedding reception along with a lot of burrito fixings. Thank you!
Elizabeth Lindemann
Oh wow, I can’t believe you’re serving this recipe at your wedding reception! That sounds like an amazing meal to have for your wedding. I’m honored :-) SO glad you liked the recipe, and wishing you and your future spouse a lifetime of happiness!
Felipe Ybarra
Hi Liz,
These refried pinto beans reminds me of my Dad”s beans. I remember he would boil the beans then call my wife and I over to have his beans in bola (as he called them). He would then refry them in bacon grease . They were vey delicious and haven’t tasted them until I made these. Thanks for the great memories.
Felipe
Elizabeth Lindemann
Aw, I’m so happy this recipe brought back some good memories for you! That’s my favorite thing about food and cooking- the memories it creates with people you like being with :-)
Stephanie
These are so delicious! It’s an easy recipe too. Thanks!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!