Restaurant Quality Canned Refried Beans are easy to make at home with the same texture and flavor of those at your favorite Mexican restaurant! Serve these vegetarian frijoles with a side of Authentic Mexican Rice and you’ve got a complete, vegetarian meal!
What Are Refried Beans?
Refried beans are cooked, seasoned pinto beans, or “frijoles,” that are pureed into a smooth consistency. You’ll find refried pinto beans on most Mexican restaurant menus, often as a staple side dish and typically with Mexican rice.
What’s the Difference Between Borracho and Charro Beans?
Basically, Borracho and Charro beans are both cooked pinto beans that include stewed tomatoes, peppers, garlic, onion and other spices and seasonings. The primary difference is Borracho beans “drunk beans” usually contain beer in the cooking broth.
Ingredients for Restaurant Quality Canned Refried Beans
Canned refried pintos are not nearly as flavorful as the one’s in the restaurant, but here’s how to doctor-up these canned frijoles into a delicious bean puree with only a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Canned Refried Beans
- Canned Chile Peppers
- Ground Cumin
- Ground Chile Powder
- Marinated Jalapenos
Are Refried Beans Vegetarian?
Not all canned refried beans are vegetarian. For example, on the ingredient label of a can of Old El Paso “Traditional Refried Beans” and you’ll see ingredients listed as “partially hydrogenated lard”–this is animal fat which serves as a flavorant and binding agent and is NOT vegetarian.
Conversely, the beans that are vegetarian usually indicate this on the front label and the ingredient list will list soybean oil or some other oil as the binding agent.
How To Make Restaurant Quality Canned Refried Beans
The process is relatively simple, but it’s important to know you don’t need to add any additional oil to the skillet; the beans already have enough oil in them. Keep the heat relatively low, as they do burn easily!
- Heat a large skillet on medium-low heat; add beans and any bean liquid
- Allow beans to cook and soften for about 3 minutes
- Add ground cumin, chile powder, green chiles and jalapeno juice
- Combine well and serve
What to Serve with Refried Beans?
Serve restaurant quality beans as a side with Mexican rice, or on a crisp corn tostado as an entree! Refried beans also make a quick and easy homemade burrito or taco! Garnish with salsa, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, jalapenos or Cotija cheese!
How to Reheat Refried Beans
Reheat beans in a non-stick skillet on medium-low heat; if the beans need a little liquid, add water. Combine well and serve! If you re-heat beans in a microwave, use the “reheat dinner” setting and cover the bowl with a paper towel as the beans tend to splatter and dry out.
Craving More? Try The Best Guacamole or Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
Restaurant Quality Refried Beans
Ingredients
- 1 28 oz. can of refried beans
- 1 4 oz. can diced green chiles
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1/2 tablespoon chile powder
- 1 tablespoon juice from marinated jalapenos
Instructions
- Heat non-stick skillet on medium low
- Add beans and liquid; use a spatula to mash and stir the refried beans
- Add remaining ingredients; combine well and heat thoroughly
- Garnish with cilantro, jalapenos, cheese or avocado
Notes
Ingredients for Restaurant Quality Canned Refried Beans
Canned refried pintos are not nearly as flavorful as the one's in the restaurant, but here's how to doctor-up these canned frijoles into a delicious bean puree with only a few simple ingredients. Here's what you'll need:- Canned Refried Beans
- Canned Chile Peppers
- Ground Cumin
- Ground Chile Powder
- Marinated Jalapenos
Are Refried Beans Vegetarian?
Not all canned refried beans are vegetarian. For example, on the ingredient label of a can of Old El Paso "Traditional Refried Beans" and you'll see ingredients listed as "partially hydrogenated lard"--this is animal fat which serves as a flavorant and binding agent and is NOT vegetarian.
Conversely, the beans that are vegetarian usually indicate this on the front label and the ingredient list will list soybean oil or some other oil as the binding agent. 
What to Serve with Refried Beans?
Serve restaurant quality beans as a side with Mexican rice, or on a crisp corn tostado as en entree! Refried beans also make a quick and easy homemade burrito or taco! Garnish with salsa, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, jalapenos or Cotija cheese!How to Reheat Refried Beans
Reheat beans in a non-stick skillet on medium-low heat; if the beans need a little liquid, add water. Combine well and serve! If you re-heat beans in a microwave, use the "reheat dinner" setting and cover the bowl with a paper towel as the beans tend to splatter and dry out.
Blossom Smith says
I’ve never attempted to make refried beans from scratch, but this recipe may just change that. I’m always looking for meatless dinner ideas, and this recipe would be great served with some warm tortillas and a nice salad. Thanks for sharing!
SmartyPantsKitchen says
Thanks, Blossom! I hope you like them!