How To Can Refried Beans

How to Make Delicious Refried Beans: A Step-by-Step Guide

Refried beans, or frijoles refritos, are a staple in Mexican cuisine. These savory beans are incredibly versatile, perfect as a side dish, a filling for burritos and tacos, or even as a dip with tortilla chips. While you can buy canned refried beans, nothing beats the flavor and texture of homemade refried beans. This guide will walk you through the process, ensuring you create a batch that's both delicious and authentic.

Ingredients You'll Need:

• 1 pound dried pinto beans: Pinto beans are the classic choice, but you can experiment with other beans like black beans or kidney beans.
• 8 cups water: The amount of water may need adjustment depending on the type of beans and your pot.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda (optional): Baking soda helps to soften the beans and reduce cooking time.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Adjust to your taste preference.
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or lard: Lard provides a richer flavor, but vegetable oil works perfectly fine.
• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped: Adds a delightful savory depth.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic enhances the flavor profile significantly.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Soaking the Beans (Optional but Recommended):

Soaking the beans overnight significantly reduces cooking time and improves texture. Simply place the beans in a large bowl, cover them with plenty of water, and let them soak for at least 8 hours, or preferably overnight. Drain and rinse the beans before cooking.

2. Cooking the Beans:

• In a large pot, combine the soaked (or unsoaked) beans, water, baking soda (if using), and salt.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1-1.5 hours, or until the beans are very tender. Add more water if needed during the cooking process to prevent sticking. Un-soaked beans will take considerably longer to cook, potentially up to 2-3 hours.

3. Mashing the Beans:

• Once the beans are cooked, drain them, reserving about 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Using a potato masher or a fork, mash the beans to your desired consistency. Some people prefer a completely smooth texture, while others like some whole beans remaining. Add some of the reserved cooking liquid as needed to adjust the consistency.

4. Sautéing the Aromatics:

• Heat the oil (or lard) in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.

5. Combining and Finishing:

• Add the mashed beans to the skillet with the sautéed onions and garlic.
• Cook for about 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the beans are heated through and slightly browned. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to your liking.

6. Serving Your Refried Beans:

Your delicious homemade refried beans are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them as a side dish, use them as a filling for burritos and tacos, or enjoy them with tortilla chips as a dip.

Tips for the Best Refried Beans:

• Don't over-mash: Leave some beans whole for a better texture.
• Adjust the consistency: Add more or less cooking liquid depending on your preference.
• Get creative with spices: Add chili powder, cumin, or other spices to enhance the flavor.
• Make it ahead: Refried beans taste even better the next day!

By following these simple steps, you'll be able to create a batch of refried beans that are sure to impress. Enjoy!