How To Make Black Refried Beans - You can make refried black beans in 10 minutes from cooked, whole black beans and a few pantry ingredients.
Make your own refried beans
Raise your hand if you love refried beans! How about black refried 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 all of that?!
Refried Beans Recipe Ingredients
- extra virgin olive oil
- fresh garlic
- cumin
- chili powder
- cooked black beans (canned or homemade)
- salt and pepper
How do you make refried beans from whole 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.
Why we love homemade refried beans
- They bring fiber, protein, and iron into your diet...with zero saturated fat.
- Homemade refried beans are super budget-friendly!
- They're so easy to make ... ninja cooking skills not required!
- You can use canned black beans OR homemade black beans. Check out my no-soak, no-crockpot method of How To Cook Dry Beans In Two Hours.
- Some kids will go crazy for refried beans. Serve with tortilla chips and a little sour cream...yummm!
- Great for parties, even at the last minute!
Recommended Tools
- skillet (cast iron or nonstick)
- potato masher
- airtight storage containers
Easy Mexican recipes
- Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- 5 Minute Mexican Restaurant Style Blender Salsa
- Steak Nachos Supreme
Black Refried Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 clove Garlic, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp Chili Powder
- ¼ tsp Cumin
- 1 15 oz can Black Beans, drained, reserve juice
- ¼ 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 from TKG
Nutrition
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
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 🙂