Ella Walter
Refried beans are a popular dish that can be made at home with just a few simple ingredients. The term refried beans comes from the Spanish frijoles refritos, which means well-fried. To make refried beans, you first need to cook the beans until they are soft, and then you can mash them and fry them in a skillet with fat, oil, or lard and add seasonings to taste. While pinto beans are traditionally used, black beans, cranberry beans, and white navy beans are also popular choices. Making refried beans from scratch is a simple process that allows you to customize the dish to your liking and elevate your meals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Beans used | Pinto, black, cranberry, white navy |
| Ingredients | Garlic, cumin, oregano, onion, lime juice, salt, bean broth, cheese, bell peppers, jalapeño peppers |
| Preparation | Soak beans overnight, boil, drain, mash, fry |
| Time | 2-3 hours |
| Storage | Refrigerate for 3-7 days, freeze for 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Soak beans overnight to reduce cooking time
Soaking beans overnight is a traditional method that can improve the flavour and texture of the beans and reduce cooking time. It is not necessary, but it can help to reduce the gas produced when digesting them. Soaking also helps to remove toxins and rehydrates the beans, which is important as beans are high in a compound called lectins, which can cause food poisoning.
To soak beans overnight, first, spread your beans on a cookie sheet and remove any rocks, dirt, or discoloured or shrivelled beans. Rinse the beans under cold water and put them in a large pot. Beans expand when soaked and cooked, so the pot should be large enough to accommodate this. Add five cups of water for every one cup of dried beans. Bring the beans and water to a boil over medium heat, then uncover, reduce heat, and simmer until the beans are tender and creamy. This should take around one to one-and-a-half hours, but the cook time will depend on the size of the beans.
There are also quick-soak methods that can be used if you are short on time. One method is to bring the beans and water to a boil and then turn off the heat and let them rest for two hours. Another method is to bring the beans to a hard boil for 20 minutes and then lower the heat. This can help to reduce the overall cook time.
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Boil beans with onion and garlic
Yes, you can mash and pan-fry beans. A simple way to do this is to first boil the beans with aromatics such as onion and garlic.
To boil beans with onion and garlic, start by placing the beans in a large pot and covering them with 2 inches of water. You can use soaked or unsoaked beans, but if you're using unsoaked beans, be sure to rinse them first. Next, add your aromatics. For this recipe, add half an onion and a few garlic cloves. You can also add other aromatics such as herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage, parsley, or cilantro), spices (black peppercorns, bay leaves, or dried chiles), or vegetable scraps (onion ends, fennel fronds, scallion tops, or celery leaves). Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. After 30 minutes, add 2 teaspoons of sea salt and continue simmering until the beans are tender, which could take up to 2 more hours. Be sure to stir occasionally and add more water if the beans start to look dry.
Once the beans are tender, you can drain them and proceed with mashing and pan-frying. To mash the beans, you can use a potato masher or a fork. Continue mashing and stirring until you achieve your desired texture and consistency. You can also add more bean broth liquid if needed. Finally, taste and season with salt or other spices to your preference.
Some people prefer to blend their beans to achieve a smoother consistency, but this is optional. You can also add other ingredients such as cumin, oregano, or cheese to enhance the flavor of your mashed beans.
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Mash beans with a potato masher or fork
Yes, you can mash beans and pan-fry them. In fact, this is a common practice in Mexican cuisine, where the term "refried beans" comes from the Spanish "frijoles refritos," which means "well-fried." These are beans that have been cooked, mashed, and then fried in oil with spices and seasonings.
To mash beans with a potato masher or fork, follow these steps:
First, prepare the beans by boiling them with onion and garlic cloves for about 2 hours until they are soft. You can also add a couple of dashes of salt to the water. Drain the beans and set them aside.
Next, heat some lard or oil in a skillet or frying pan. Add the cooked beans to the pan, along with your desired spices and seasonings. Common spices used in refried beans include cumin, chili powder, oregano, and garlic. You can also add some bean broth or water to the pan to adjust the consistency.
Now, it's time to mash the beans. Use a potato masher or a fork to gently smash the beans as they cook. Continue stirring and mashing until you achieve your desired texture. If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can use a blender or immersion blender to puree the beans before mashing them. However, be careful not to over-blend, as you don't want to liquefy the beans completely.
Keep mashing and stirring until the beans reach a consistency similar to soft mashed potatoes. If the mixture becomes too dry, add more bean broth or water as needed. Taste the beans and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or other spices to suit your preference.
Once you're happy with the texture and flavor, your mashed and fried beans are ready to be served! You can enjoy them as a side dish, in a bean burrito, or as an ingredient in other recipes like refried bean dip or mashed potatoes with beans.
Mashing beans with a potato masher or fork is a simple and effective way to prepare them for frying. It gives you control over the texture and allows you to create a delicious and authentic dish.
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Fry in oil, lard, or bacon grease
Yes, you can mash beans and pan-fry them in oil, lard, or bacon grease. This is a common way to prepare refried beans, which are "well-fried" beans that have been cooked, mashed, and then fried with spices and seasonings.
To fry mashed beans in oil, lard, or bacon grease, start by preparing the beans. You can use canned beans, or cook dried beans by boiling them in water with onion and garlic cloves for about 2 hours until soft. If using dried beans, you can also soak them overnight before cooking to save time.
Once your beans are soft, heat oil, lard, or bacon grease in a large skillet over medium heat. You can also use butter or bacon drippings for added flavour. If you want to taste the beans themselves more than the flavour of the frying agent, choose a flavourless oil. Add the cooked beans to the skillet and mash them with a potato masher or fork as they cook. You can also use a blender for a smoother texture. Continue stirring and mashing until you achieve the desired texture and consistency, adding bean broth or water as needed.
Season the beans with salt and other spices to taste. You can also add onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, or jalapeño peppers to the beans as they cook. If you want to make cheesy refried beans, stir in some shredded cheese.
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Season with cumin, chilli powder, salt, and lime juice
Yes, you can mash beans and pan-fry them. This is a common practice for making refried beans, which are cooked, mashed, and then fried in oil with spices and seasonings.
Now, for seasoning with cumin, chilli powder, salt, and lime juice, here is a step-by-step guide:
First, prepare your beans by boiling them with onion and garlic cloves for about 2 hours until they are soft. You can also add a couple of dashes of salt to the water. Drain the beans, reserving the bean broth, and heat some oil or lard in a skillet. Add the garlic and stir, followed by the beans, cumin, chilli powder, and about 1/4 cup of the reserved bean broth. You can also add oregano at this stage for extra flavour.
Next, it's time to mash. Use a potato masher or a fork to gently smash the beans as they cook, stirring and mashing until you achieve your desired texture and consistency. You can add more bean broth if needed. Taste the beans and season with additional salt if required.
Finally, add the lime juice. Squeeze lime juice over the mashed beans and stir until combined. You can taste and add more lime juice or salt if you feel it is needed.
Some people also like to add extra ingredients such as cilantro, jalapenos, or cheese to their mashed beans for extra flavour and texture. It is also important to note that the amount of cumin, chilli powder, salt, and lime juice added can be adjusted to personal preference, so feel free to add more or less to suit your taste.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use any type of bean to make refried beans. However, for Mexican-style refried beans, pinto beans are traditionally used. Black beans, cranberry beans, and white navy beans are also great options.
There are two basic ways to cook dried beans for refrying: using a pressure cooker or a stovetop. Pressure cooking takes about 30 minutes, while stovetop cooking can take 2 to 3 hours. Soaking the beans overnight can help reduce cooking time.
A potato masher or fork can be used to mash beans. Some people also use a blender or food processor to achieve a smoother consistency.
Refried beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
