Easy Refried Beans
These refried beans are delicious and so easy to make. This refried bean recipe is quick, too—use canned beans and they're ready in 25 minutes! Healthy, vegan and gluten free.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 30, 2024
Where have pinto beans been all my life? I dismissed them after a couple of lackluster Mexican restaurant meals, but I’ve recently realized pinto beans in their full glory. They’re creamy and rich, and mix in beautifully with scrambled eggs, soup, rice and more.
Pinto beans make the best refried beans, since they’re so buttery. I recently crossed my refried black beans recipe with my pinto beer beans (both available in my cookbook) and ended up with these outrageously delicious refried beans.
Fresh cilantro livens up these refried beans, and a squeeze of lime juice makes them taste more complex. Flavor aside, these refried beans are also a healthy source of plant-based protein and fiber (12 grams of each per serving). You can read up on pinto bean nutrition here.
Bonus? This recipe is so easy to make! I used high quality canned beans to make this recipe quickly. I tried home-cooked beans and couldn’t tell enough difference to bother doing it again. If you prefer to cook your own beans, though, you certainly can.
Cook up some onion in olive oil, add spices and beans, and your refried beans are ready in under 25 minutes. This recipe is far superior to store-bought refried beans, and it’s become a staple in my kitchen. I hope it becomes a staple in yours, too.
Uses for Refried Beans
Refried beans are a healthy side dish to serve along with any Mexican meal. They’re so good that I like to eat them with tortilla chips as a bean dip.
You can also use these protein-rich, vegan refried beans inside tacos, enchiladas and burritos. Spread them on the inside of a quesadilla or on top of a tostada. You can’t go wrong!
Watch How to Make Refried Beans
Refried Bean Tips
Chop the onions very small, and be sure to cook them until tender. This is key to achieving a creamy texture. If the onions are too large or undercooked, they will be distracting and crunchy. No thanks!
Mash the beans as much as you’d like. I usually stop when the beans are half to three-quarters mashed, but you can mash them completely if you’d like perfectly creamy refried beans. (You’ll get even smoother results if you blend these beans in a food processor. I don’t recommend trying the blender since they are so thick.)
Use black beans if you prefer. Black beans aren’t as easily blended as pinto beans, so they’ll probably be a little more chunky. If you love black beans, you’ll love this version!
Add peppers for even more flavor. You can add a finely chopped bell pepper (any color) or jalapeño pepper(s) with the onion, for beans with extra flavor and texture. Jalapeños will make the beans more spicy—I recommend removing the seeds and membranes first so you have more control over the spice level.
Please let me know how these refried beans turn out for you in the comments! Your feedback keeps me going, and your star ratings encourage other readers to make the recipe. Find more Mexican recipes here.
Easy Refried Beans
These refried beans are delicious and so easy to make. This refried bean recipe is quick, too—use canned beans and they’re ready in 25 minutes! Plus, these beans are healthy, vegan and gluten free. Recipe yields 2 ½ cups refried beans (21 ounces), enough for 5 servings.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup finely chopped yellow or white onion (about ½ small onion)
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, rinsed and drained, or 3 cups cooked pinto beans
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (about ½ medium lime), to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering. Add the onions and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened and are turning translucent, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Add the garlic, chili powder and cumin. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the drained beans and water. Stir, cover and cook for 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and remove the lid. Use a potato masher or the back of a fork to mash up about at least half of the beans, until you reach your desired consistency. Continue to cook the beans, uncovered, stirring often, for 3 more minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cilantro and lime juice. Taste, and add more salt and lime juice if necessary. If the beans seem dry, add a very small splash of water and stir to combine. Cover until you’re ready to serve.
Notes
Change it up: Substitute black beans for the pinto beans.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Made this today to go with some chicken enchiladas. My garlic cloves were on the larger side and I think it was too much garlic as it really overshadowed the flavor of the beans. I’ll try it again next time with no garlic. Thanks for sharing!
I did the exact same thing the first time I made it because I didn’t think you could put too much garlic in anything. I just made them again using one small clove (I cut the recipe in half) and they ate PERFECT! Morsl if the story you can use too much garlic in your food!
Great to hear, Debi!
I’m a bit of an extremist on avoiding even healthy fat. Would these lose a lot of flavor if I substituted a few seconds of olive oil spray for the tablespoon of olive oil.
I think they would still cook fine, probably very little flavor loss
I’m a very novice cook, I was able to do it and they tasted great! Love that it’s extra protein.
you might be able to sub fat-free greek yogurt (if not vegan) for lemon in this one (if you want) – the oil makes it more “creamy” and satisfying overall
Great to hear, MG!
Can you freeze it once made?
Tried your refried beans recipe tonight, to have with chicken fajitas. Delicious! I only had one tin of beans so I reduced the other quantities, it made sufficient for two people as an accompaniment. A squeeze of lime juice really works. I won’t be buying readymade again. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Shelley!
Good and simple recipe. I did double up on the spices, though, because who doesn’t love cumin and chili powder? Thanks for sharing another great recipe!
I did make this recipe and it is GREAT! My family loved it…no leftovers. I used the canned pinto beans and they worked very nicely. I also used a rounded 1/4 tsp of cumin. My son-in-law is a great cook and he thought they were the best.
That’s great to hear, Susie!
Great Recipe ……..Easy to make and the taste when done is Super, Thanks for posting this recipe, I’ll be using it all the time now …. I did cut back on the garlic though because I’m not crazy about that spice ….
I made this with black beans and love it. I am not vegetarian nor vegan but trying to eat more healthy, Thanks!!
You’re welcome, Emily!
This is a great recipe. Best refried beans I have ever had.
Really delicious. I like the garlic and all of the spices
Easy and it tastes good.
The best refried beans my kids and I have tasted.
Great to hear, Mario!
Turned out well! It tasted great but I had to add a lot more water than the recipe. Do you think this is just a personal preference for how I like them, or is it possible that my high altitude (6000 ft) affected the recipe a bit?
That could be it. I’m happy to hear it still turned out well!
Tasted really good. I did blend in the blender and added a bit of smoked chili flakes and smoked paprika. So good, thank you. Will make again for sure.
I love the easy homemade refried beans. So much cheaper than canned. I made alot and from it in 2 cup portions. Thanks
Easy and tasty great recipe
This is such a great recipe! Simple and delicious! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Cindy!
Wonderful recipe! I’ll never use canned refried beans again. I added extra lime, some dried green hatch chili, and doubled the cilantro. I used an immersion blender at the end to purée the mixture a bit.
I’ve been trying various refried bean recipes to make and dehydrate for backpacking meals. This is the best so far! It’s hard to resist eating them fresh. I really enjoy the bit of lime.
This is a great start, they were good. Needed a little more water than suggested, like a 1/4 cup more. Little more salt. Also, i wouldnt use 2 tablespoons of cilantro unless you REALLY like cilantro. 1/2 tablespoon to 1 tbsp is suffice.
Thinking of adding a little buttermilk next time.
Thank you for sharing how you made it, Kristopher!
Is there a substitute for the cilantro as im one of the people that tastes soap when I eat cilantro
You can omit or try parsley if you prefer.
I’ll not buy refried beans again. Excellent, creamy, satisfying. We love this recipe. TY.
Are you able to recommend a “high quality” canned bean? At my grocery store they all seem to be about the same.
Hi try to buy organic when I can. I do like when I can buy jarred beans, if available.
Excellent! As a kid, mom and I would sometimes make a cake. I used to look forward to licking the spoon. This is a spoon licking recipe!
These were so good! I used olive oil spray instead and it worked great! So much better than the canned version! This will be my go to recipe!
That’s great to hear, Sharry! I appreciate your comment.
Made this tonight for a Chicken Fajita dinner because this time last year we were in Mexico and this year we are shovelling snow!! I used black beans and it was delicious. So good that my 16yo son licked the bowl clean! Definitely making this again soon.
I was about to make this and found I didn’t have any limes but have lemon. Could that be used as a substitute?
Sure, it will be a slightly different flavor but should still be good.
Made these with freshly boiled pinto beans, and they turned out great. My only complaint is that I had to add a bit more salt than what this recipe suggests. My beans were well seasoned before I added the extra bit of salt (and I’m sodium-sensitive). I’m wondering if the beans (as this recipe states) are supposed to be as bland as they turned out before I added the extra salt?
Anyway, great recipe regardless. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us!
Thank you for sharing, Lorelei! I appreciate your review.
This is a wonderful recipe that I will make time and time again. I married into a Latin family and while I have never warmed to refried beans, I can say without any doubt, this recipe is a keeper. I made it exactly as written and thank you, Kate, for a thoughtful, authentic take on a traditional staple that will show up time and again on our dinner table. You converted me!
Hooray! I love to hear that, Margaret. Thank you for your review.
These are the real deal! Make them now! Thank me later.
I’m glad you loved these beans, John!
That shit decent
Omg! I love this recipe! I usually make a double batch and add more of each ingredient
It’s just so yummy!
I’m actually making another batch as we speak
I do burrito bowls and my son has it in a wrap
Love love!
Great to hear, Terri!
Hi Kate,
Thanks for the lovely recipe it tastes amazing.
Can I freeze leftovers if I make a large batch? If so, how long can it remain frozen?
These should freeze fine. Typically food is best frozen for 3-6 months before it starts to impact it.
Just made this tonight and I loved the refried beans! I used a little bit more water however beans were delicious! Paired with some tacos I made tonight. Yum yum. I need to go but some tortilla chips and I will be snacking on this for a few days.
Great to hear, Michi!
The was the first timei had made homemade refried beans.I used leftover Pinto beans. Therefore it was soupy so, I made soup and cooked tortillas on the stove eye.
It was Great! Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, David! Thank you for your review.
:) Hey — I am trying to do this in a keto version with Eden brand black soybeans since they are low carb, but it is too sweet. Any ideas on a keto version of this with black soybeans? Thanks!
I’m not sure, sorry!
Loved this recipe! Do easy to make and controlling your sodium is very important to me! Plan on making this with black beans next time
Thank you for sharing, Marlitt! I appreciate your review.
I’m trying these tonight but I don’t have lime , cilantro, or chili powder. I’m amazed that I’m out of chili powder, but I’m going to try it with cumin and taco seasoning. I think it will turn out okay.
Any option if i dont have an onion? I have a tiny bit of red onion, or onion powder or minced dry onion? Thank you!
You can use red onion if you have it. Let me know what you think, Naomi!
I liked it very much. Next time I will add more water, as mine turned out a little dry. Thanks.
You’re welcome, Michael!
2nd time I have made this tasty and easy recipe – Yum.
That’s great to hear, Cassandra!
Can I make these a day or two ahead of when I need them?
Yes! These work well leftover.
I used only one can of black beans but the same listed amount of the other ingredients. I added some minced jalapeno and used ancho chili powder. The result was by far the BEST refried beans I’ve ever had (and I’ve had a lot). YUM.
Great to hear, Alicia!
WOW! My husband and I made this dish for dinner last night and we were both blown away by the rich and layered flavor. We will never go back to canned refried beans again. As we were taste testing to slightly increase the amount of salt, we started eating it right out of the pan. Next time we make this we’re planning on doubling the batch. The recipe is aptly named – they were very easy to make. It took a little longer for us, as we cooked our beans the day before from dried, as we try to avoid canned goods. We also had to leave out the garlic as I’m allergic to it. My husband who loves garlic, and often adds it to his own plate, didn’t miss it at all in this recipe. We ate it for dinner along with freshly made guacamole over corn chips with melted vegan (cashew) cheese on top.
Best refried beans!!! After I discovered this recipe I have not bought a can anymore!!! And it’s so simple and delicious!!!
That’s great to hear, Liz!
True to its name, this was easy. It took quite a bit of mashing but came out great.
That’s great to hear, Rose! Thank you for your review.
Hi Kate, I’m looking forward to giving this a go – thanks for the recipe! Do you have any idea if it freezes well?
I believe others have froze this and didn’t mind the results!