• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Amanda Cooks & Styles
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Contact
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Blog » Recipes

    Authentic Mexican Refried Beans

    Published: Nov 5, 2018 · Modified: Oct 10, 2020 by Amanda Cooks & Styles · This post may contain affiliate links · 22 Comments

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Email

    Authentic Mexican Refried Beans - My homemade Authentic Mexican beans are the ones you hope to get on your plate when eating out at your favorite Mexican Restaurants. They are absolutely delicious and pretty easy to make!

    JUMP TO RECIPE

    You can serve these beans as a side dish paired with your favorite Mexican Rice. I love them wrapped in a hot tortilla with cotija cheese for a tasty bean and cheese burrito. It's definitely one of my favorite things to eat!

    Another great idea is to serve these beans as a bean dip with chips. Just top with some cotija cheese, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. This recipe makes about 2 cups of cooked refried beans. If you are cooking for a large crowd, simply double the recipe.

    Store leftover refried beans completely cooled in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. To reheat leftover beans, pop in the microwave for about a minute or reheat on the stove in a small saucepan until nice and warm. If beans are dry or too thick, add a few tablespoons of water.

    Here are the tools you need to make this recipe:

    • Large saucepan or dutch oven (with lid) - To cook your beans in.
    • Wooden spoon - For stirring the beans while frying.
    • Cutting board - To chop up your veggies.
    • Knife -To Chop your veggies.
    • Measuring spoons and cups - To properly measure your ingredients.

    What ingredients do I need to make refried beans?

    • Dry Pinto Beans - You can buy bagged dry pinto beans at any grocery store.
    • Lard - Or you can use leftover bacon grease.
    • Garlic Cloves - Fresh garlic works best in this recipe.
    • Yellow Onion - Fresh onion works best in this recipe.
    • Dried Oregano - You can also use fresh oregano if you have it on hand, just double the amount.
    • Salt - I almost always use sea salt in my recipes but you can use any salt you have on hand.
    how to make refried beans

    How to make the most delicious Authentic Mexican Refried Beans:

    Add pinto beans, garlic cloves, onion, salt and oregano to a medium saucepan. Cover with about 2 inches of water. Bring water to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Cover and cook beans for 1.5 hours, or until very tender.

    Strain cooked beans from the bean juice and reserve the juice for later.

    In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 4 tablespoon lard and the beans. Fry up the beans for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.

    Reduce heat to low and add bean juice to the skillet (should be about ½-3/4 cup juice). Begin to smash beans using a potato masher until you reach your desired consistency. If you like your beans very smooth with no chunks of beans, place in a blender and blend until smooth. Add a little bit of water, about 1 tablespoon at a time, if your beans are too thick.

    Serve refried beans with crumbled cotija cheese (optional)! Enjoy!

    Here are a few of my favorite Mexican recipes that pair perfectly with refried beans:

    • Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Enchiladas - Slow cooker shredded salsa chicken wrapped in king size tortillas with jack and cheddar cheese topped with homemade enchilada sauce.
    • Baked Chicken Flautas - Shredded chicken rolled in flour tortillas baked to crispy perfection. These flautas make for a perfect appetizer, party food, lunch or dinner!
    • Pollo Asada Tacos - Delicious authentic Mexican style marinated chicken tacos grilled to perfection on the barbecue and topped off with avocado salsa verde, onion, cilantro and radishes.
    • Chicken Taquitos (Fried or Baked) - Shredded chicken wrapped tightly in corn tortillas then baked or fried to golden perfection.
    authentic mexican refried beans

    If you enjoyed this recipe, here are a few Mexican side dish recipes I think you'll love:

    • Mexican Rice - (Spanish Rice) The perfect side dish to pair with your favorite enchiladas, tacos, tamales, burritos and more! 
    • Grilled Mexican Corn - Also known as “Mexican Street Corn” or “Elote”. This grilled corn is perfect for your upcoming summer BBQ’s! 
    • Authentic Mexican Guacamole - Homemade guacamole made with fresh avocados, tomatillos, jalapeno, cilantro and lime juice. Serve with chips for the perfect appetizer.
    • Spicy Pineapple Avocado Salsa - Fresh chunks of pineapple, avocado, tomatoes, peppers and cilantro with a touch of fresh lime juice, salt and pepper. This salsa is excellent as an appetizer served with chips or served on tacos and more.
    Authentic Mexican Refried Beans

    Authentic Mexican Refried Beans

    Amanda Cooks & Styles
    These beans are the ones you hope to get on your plate when eating real Mexican food. They go great as a side dish or in a burrito, and more!  
    5 from 33 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cook Time 2 hours hrs
    Total Time 2 hours hrs
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 4 people

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ lb. dry pinto beans
    • ½ yellow onion cut into 1" chunks
    • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 2 garlic cloves whole
    • 4 tablespoon lard
    • water
    • cotija cheese optional topping

    Instructions
     

    • Add pinto beans, garlic cloves, onion, salt and oregano to a medium saucepan. Cover with about 2 inches of water. Bring water to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Cover and cook beans for 1 ½ hours, or until very tender.
    • Strain cooked beans from the bean juice and reserve the juice for later.
    • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add 4 tablespoon lard and the beans. Fry up the beans for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
    • Reduce heat to low and add bean juice to the skillet (should be about ½-3/4 cup juice). Begin to smash beans using a potato masher until you reach your desired consistency. If you like your beans very smooth with no chunks of beans, place in a blender and blend until smooth. Add a little bit of water, about 1 tablespoon at a time, if your beans are too thick.
    • Serve refried beans with crumbled cotija cheese (optional)! Enjoy!

    Notes

    Store leftover refried beans completely cooled in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. To reheat leftover beans, pop in the microwave for about a minute or reheat on the stove in a small saucepan until nice and warm. If beans are dry or too thick, add a few tablespoons of water.
    Keyword homemade beans, mexican, refried beans
    Tried this recipe?LET US KNOW how it was!

    More Recipes

    • Easy Tuna Salad
    • Cornbread Muffins
    • Creamy Tomato Tortellini with Meat Sauce
    • Teriyaki Burger

    Follow along on INSTAGRAM for more delicious recipes!

    Follow along on PINTEREST for more delicious recipes!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Jacqueline Johnson

      December 27, 2022 at 9:45 am

      Can I freeze these? I am making today but will not use for 4 days.

      Reply
      • Amanda Cooks & Styles

        December 28, 2022 at 4:44 am

        Hi there! Yes, you can freeze them. Allow to cool completely, freeze in airtight container/bag. :)Amanda

        Reply
    2. Katie

      December 22, 2022 at 12:48 pm

      What would be a good lead substitute for vegetarians? Making this for my MIL who does not eat animal products.

      Reply
      • Amanda Cooks & Styles

        December 23, 2022 at 5:48 am

        Hi Katie! You can use avocado, olive or vegetable oil. :)Amanda

        Reply
    3. Liz Farmer

      October 06, 2022 at 6:23 pm

      5 stars
      These beans are a hit! My 8 year old grand daughter loves them. I started with 3 cans of pinto beans - drained - add large onion and 4 garlic cloves covered them with chicken broth - simmered until onion was clear. Drained juice then fried in lard added juice back and used a gentle immersion blender because I like chunky wholes beans but smooth. I added salt at the end since canned beans are salted.

      Reply
    4. Kalvin

      August 24, 2022 at 3:43 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect and I appreciated the short ingredient list!

      Reply
    5. Samantha

      May 11, 2022 at 7:23 am

      How would you sub canned beans for dried in this recipe? Trying to use what I have on hand.

      Reply
      • Amanda Cooks & Styles

        May 12, 2022 at 3:15 pm

        Hi Samantha, Skip to step 3 - Add two 15 ounce cans drained pinto beans, and seasonings from step 1. Continue with steps and when it gets to adding the bean juice - you can use water instead. :)Amanda

        Reply
    6. Dave Johnson

      January 22, 2021 at 4:11 pm

      5 stars
      Very good

      Reply
    7. Lisa

      November 07, 2020 at 6:12 am

      Does the onion and garlic break down or do you remove them before you mash the beans?

      Reply
      • Amanda Cooks & Styles

        November 07, 2020 at 7:42 am

        Hi Lisa, Yes, the onion and garlic will become very tender. Mash them with the beans. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Patricia

      July 11, 2020 at 10:22 am

      5 stars
      I live in San Clemente CA and there’s a Mexican Resturant in town that puts their beans in a blender. I really love them that way. Your recipe came out great. I do soak them overnight and I always use bacon grease. It gives beans a great flavor.

      Reply
      • Amanda Cooks & Styles

        July 17, 2020 at 11:44 am

        Hi Patricia, I used to live in San Clemente! Glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂

        Reply
    9. Penny

      April 21, 2020 at 1:25 am

      Can you use Crisco instead of lard? If not, what would be a good substitute for the lard?

      Reply
      • Amanda Cooks & Styles

        April 22, 2020 at 2:44 pm

        Hi Penny, I've never used crisco in this recipe and only have used lard. Lard is shortening from animal fat and crisco shortening is from vegetable protein. So, it may be ok. Another suggestion would be to use bacon drippings instead of lard. 🙂 - Amanda

        Reply
    10. Rhonda

      April 04, 2020 at 10:28 pm

      Can you soak the beans first? We always soak them overnight. Would you need to reduce the cooking time if you do? Or leave it the same?

      Reply
      • Amanda

        April 06, 2020 at 1:41 pm

        Hi Rhonda,
        I haven't tried soaking the beans overnight with this particular recipe. I would probably keep the cooking time the same and check on the beans closer to the end. When they are soft, they are ready 🙂

        Reply
    11. Marina

      March 30, 2020 at 11:05 pm

      Seems like a great recipe, plan on making it soon! How many serving would you estimate it yields though?

      Reply
      • Amanda

        March 31, 2020 at 4:47 pm

        Hi Marina, This recipe makes about 4 servings. 🙂

        Reply
    12. Roxanne H

      March 19, 2020 at 7:03 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect recipe....I have made these several times.
      I do boil for 2 hours...I like then really soft.

      Reply
      • Amanda

        March 22, 2020 at 12:54 pm

        Thanks Roxanne! I'm so glad you like it! 🙂

        Reply
    13. Ashley Estrada

      March 06, 2019 at 6:27 pm

      5 stars
      I have tried to make authentic refried beans in the past and they always came out crunchy. This recipe was great and they actually came out great!!!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    FREE: RECIPES SENT WEEKLY! ​
    + 5 SECRETS TO ELEVATE YOUR GRILLING GAME!
    Featured Image
    We never share your information with third parties and will protect it in accordance with our Privacy Policy

    Hi, I'm Amanda! Here you will find simple and delicious family friendly recipes. Thanks for stopping by!

    Categories

    Follow Along

    • Mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Family Favorite Recipes

    • Tuna Melts
    • Bacon Blue Cheese Burger
    • Blackened Chicken Alfredo
    • Easy General Tso's Chicken Recipe
    • Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
    • Pepperoncini "Mississippi" Pot Roast
    • Spicy Sausage Rigatoni
    • White Chicken Lasagna Rolls

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Follow Along

    • Mail
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Amanda Cooks & Styles