How To Make Black Refried Beans From Canned Whole Beans. You can make refried black beans in 10 minutes from canned, whole beans and a few everyday ingredients. You’ll never buy canned refried beans again!
Make your own refried beans
Raise your hand if you love black beans! How about refried black beans?
Ok, how about refried black beans you can whip up in 10 minutes from a can with a few staple pantry ingredients and a skillet?
Yeah, I’m right there with ya!
I mean, what’s NOT to love about black refried beans?
Are refried black beans good for you?
Well, as long as your diet allows, I find them to be one of my healthiest choices. They bring fiber, protein, and iron into my diet…with zero saturated fat. To me, that’s a win-win-win!
Homemade refried black beans are a cost-effective, low-maintenance, staple here at TKG HQ.
You can use whole black beans made from scratch for this recipe too!
In fact, check out my no-soak, no-crockpot method of How To Cook Dry Beans In Two Hours.
Serve tortilla chips and refried black beans, warm or chilled, topped with a little sour cream, or nonfat Greek yogurt, and fresh chives.
Kids even go crazy for them and they’re great for parties too!
How do you make refried beans from canned beans?
Step 1: Sauté olive oil, garlic, cumin, and chili powder together until fragrant:
Step 2. Add black beans.
Step 3. Mash ’em up! Add a little water to adjust consistency, if needed; add salt and pepper; devour!
The great thing is that you can mash them to any texture you like! I tend to like mine half-mashed and half-whole, as you can see here.
Refried Black Beans (Ingredients)
- extra virgin olive oil
- fresh garlic
- cumin
- chili powder
- canned black beans
- salt and pepper
Recommended Tools
- skillet (cast iron or nonstick)
- potato masher
- airtight storage containers
Want more healthy Mexican recipes?
Cilantro Lime Rice…it’s ready in 10 minutes and perfectly repurposes your leftover, brown rice.
Grab the tortilla chips and make my 5 Minute Mexican Restaurant Style Blender Salsa in FIVE minutes!
Steak Nachos Supreme will make any game day a win for your team!
How To Make Black Refried Beans From Canned Whole Beans
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 clove Garlic finely chopped
- 1/4 tsp Chili Powder
- 1/4 tsp Cumin
- 1 15 oz can Reduced Sodium Black Beans drained, reserve juice
- 1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a skillet, heat OLIVE OIL; add GARLIC, CUMIN, and CHILI POWDER; sauté until fragrant (about 2 min).
- Add BEANS; mash beans with a potato masher until you reach your desired consistency, adding bean juice (or plain water) in small amounts, as needed, stirring frequently.
- Add SALT and PEPPER to taste.
RECIPE NOTES
Nutrition
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Dick Stanford says
Great idea. Easy, cheaper than “ready”,canned RF beans, and you can adjust the seasoning to taste.
Try using bacon grease instead of vegetable oil. Even better!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Dick! Glad you enjoyed this one 🙂 Love the customization too!
Joshua says
Made these four or five times now and love how flexible the recipe is. Super easy and super delicious. Cheers.
Traci Antonovich says
Yay! So glad to hear it, Joshua. Thanks for the review…I love this recipe too 🙂
Kay says
I just made it for taco night. It’s great! I did reduce the powdered seasonings by half and added salt. It’s still great. It is quick and easy. I’ll never buy canned again. Next time I think I will reduce the amount of oil and add more liquid.
Thank you for a great recipe!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks, Kay! Yes, that’s the beauty of making your own refried beans. You can customize to your heart’s content. Glad you enjoyed it!
Deborah says
So delicious, so easy- I will never buy canned refried beans again!!! Thank you for sharing this fantastic recipe!
Traci Antonovich says
Awesome Deborah! I appreciate that you’re letting me know 🙂 I do love this recipe too…and have not bought pre-made refried beans since I came up with this method LOL. Thanks again!
Kris says
Made these tonight & wow, they turned out great! I melted chredded cheese into the paste toward the end, as well as some salsa. My wife was blown away by the homemade burritos she came home to from work, thank you for the awesome recipe!
Traci Antonovich says
Kris, you made my day! I’m so glad you both love the refried beans and thanks for taking the time to let me know. I really appreciate it! 🙂
Kara says
I made these last night for (what turned out to be) a taco casserole. Delicious, and so easy! The only change i made was zapping in my food processor instead of mashing. It made them incredibly creamy! Thanks for the fab recipe, I’m definitely never buying canned again!
Kara says
Forgot to rate!
Traci Antonovich says
You’re too kind…thank you 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Kara, BOOM this makes my day! I LOVE it that you are officially in the anti-canned refrieds club. Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed them…so glad to hear it 🙂
Brenda says
FANTASTIC!!!!!AMAZING!!! I don’t think I’ll ever buy a bean dip again.
Traci Antonovich says
Brenda, I really appreciate you dropping back by with this feedback. I think you’re 100% right…I’ve never bought canned refried beans after coming up with this recipe 🙂 Thanks again and enjoy!!!
jake says
these beans are the bomb dot com!!!
Traci Antonovich says
Haha thanks Jake! I just made them again the other day and forgot how much I LOVE them. Thanks for dropping back by to let me know 🙂
kathy says
The only changes I’d make is adding a bit of liquid (chx stock or water) and some tomato paste. Very good overall!
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Kathy, hmmmm, I think you may have overlooked the instructions where it says to add liquid (bean juice or water) in small amounts until desired consistency is reached. Tomato paste…a matter of preference, I’m sure I’d enjoy. Anyhow, glad you liked it!
Chris says
I’ve genuinely always wondered how to properly make refried black beans! This post is SO useful! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Traci Antonovich says
Aww thanks Chris! Yep, this is how I do it 🙂 I’m sure there are other methods, but this one requires the least amount of dishes 😉
Jolly says
WoW, I love this easy peasy recipe of fried beans. I’ld love to try this recipe soon. Delish share
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Jolly! Love hearing that…hope you love them 🙂
Deepika says
I just bought a can of black beans and saw your recipe. Saving it for coming week for sure. This looks tempting.
Traci Antonovich says
Woohoo! Awesome Deepika…it’s pretty much the ONLY way I eat refrieds anymore 🙂
Annemarie says
I just did this last week when I was out of refried beans. Such a great idea! I love your flavor combo.
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Annemarie…great minds 😉 Isn’t it the easiest? Love the texture too!
Alina | Cooking Journey Blog says
Great that you used spices to elevate canned beans! And I love the suggestion to serve refried beans with tacos, Greek yogurt and chives. Sounds like a delicious snack, full with protein!
Traci Antonovich says
Thanks Alina! Glad you like the idea 🙂