These refried black beans are thick and creamy and perfectly spiced! They’re super easy to make and perfect for everything from stuffing tacos and burritos to dipping.
Keep a supply of refried beans in stock and you’ve always got an amazing meal starter on hand. Refried beans on their own are so delicious and satisfying. You pretty much can’t go wrong!
There was a time when I used canned refried beans, but those days are over. Homemade is much better and almost as easy as opening a can.
A few years ago I shared my go-to vegan refried beans recipe using pinto beans. But sometimes I like to change things up. So I made this refried black bean recipe. It uses the same basic method as my old recipe, but I tweaked the seasonings a bit to suit the rich flavor of the black beans.
Whip up a batch of these babies and you’re never far from a delicious dinner of tacos, burritos or tostadas.
Jump:
Ingredients you will need
- Olive oil. You can substitute your favorite high heat oil if you want. Coconut oil, canola oil, corn oil and avocado oil are all good options.
- onion
- garlic
- spices. All you need is cumin and chili powder.
- Black beans. To make life easier we are using canned black beans. You can cook your beans from scratch if you prefer. You will need about 3 ½ cups.
- Water.
- Lemonade. Use freshly squeezed lime juice. The bottled stuff doesn’t smell the same!
- Salt.
Suggestion: You can absolutely adjust the spice profile to your personal preference. For example, if you want a smoky batch of refried black beans, add some smoked paprika. For extra heat, add a little cayenne pepper.
How are they made?
Below is a detailed photo tutorial on how to make this dish. If you want to skip the recipe, scroll all the way down!
Heat oil in a pan, then add chopped onion. Cook the onion for a few minutes, until it starts to soften and becomes translucent.
Add your garlic and spices to the skillet. Cook with onions for about a minute. Be sure to stir the mixture constantly so that nothing burns.
Add the beans and water to the pan, raise the heat slightly and bring the water to a boil. Lower the heat and let your beans simmer for a few minutes.
Once your beans are cooked enough to soften, start mashing them with a fork or potato masher.
Suggestion: How creamy or chunky you make your refried black beans is up to you. Mash them lightly for chunky beans, or more for creamier beans You can even stick them in a blender to make them super smooth and creamy.
When your beans are done season with some lime juice and salt to taste. I like to sprinkle mine with some fresh cilantro!
Remaining and storage
Refried black beans will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 days or in the freezer for about 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are!
You can! Just substitute water for oil when sauteing your onions, garlic and spices.
Refried beans make a great appetizer, served with tortilla chips for dipping. Then you can serve it as a side dish with rice or your favorite Mexican food. They are also great for topping nachos or tostadas or tacos or stuffing in black bean burritos.
More black bean recipes
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Refried black beans
These refried black beans are thick and creamy and perfectly spiced! They’re super easy to make and perfect for everything from stuffing tacos and burritos to dipping.
Materials
-
2
table spoon
olive oil -
3
garlic cloves,
minced meat -
1
medium onion,
to cut -
1
teaspoon
cumin -
1
teaspoon
Light chili powder -
2
(14 oz or 400 g) can
black beans
drained and rinsed -
1
the cup
water,
or as required -
1
table spoon
Lemon juice -
½
teaspoon
salt,
Plus more flavor
instructions
-
Coat the bottom of a medium skillet with oil and place over medium heat.
-
When the oil is hot, add onions. Sweat the onion for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it becomes soft and translucent.
-
Stir in garlic, cumin and chili powder. Fry the mixture for about 1 minute, until it becomes very fragrant. Stir constantly to avoid burning the spices.
-
Add beans and ½ cup water. Increase the heat and bring the liquid to a boil.
-
Lower the heat and simmer the beans for about 10 minutes, until they soften slightly, adding more water if needed.
-
Remove the skillet from the heat and mash the beans using a fork or potato masher. You can mash most of the beans (or all) if you like them smooth and creamy, or a few of them if you like your refried beans chunky.
-
Stir in lime juice and salt. Add additional salt to taste, if desired. You can thin the beans with additional water if you like.
nutrients
Refried black beans
Amount per serving (0.5 cup)
calories 187
49 calories from fat
% Daily Value*
thick 5.4 grams8%
0.8 grams of saturated fat4%
Sodium 438 mg18%
potassium 412 mg12%
carbohydrates 27 grams9%
9.4 grams of fiber38%
Sugar 1 gram1%
protein 9.3 grams19%
calcium 40 mg4%
iron 2 mg11%
* Percent Daily Value is based on a 2000 calorie diet.