How to Make Refried Beans

Refried beans
April 9, 2025

Frijoles refritos are the ultimate comfort food — simple, satisfying, and endlessly versatile. With just a few ingredients and a little time, you can transform dried beans into a rich, flavorful staple that pairs perfectly with tacos, tostadas, or even on their own. Using freshly harvested heirloom beans makes all the difference, since they cook faster and taste better than anything you'll find in a can or on a supermarket shelf. Perfect for meal prep, these refried beans are ready to enjoy all week long. We're using our super-creamy bayo beans here (similar to pintos) but feel free to sub in black beans or whatever you've got on hand.

Bayo Beans
Refried Beans

Refried Beans

Masienda Team

Servings

6-8

Category

Beans

Ingredients

    blank

    • 1 white onion, halved

    • 3 cloves garlic, peeled

    • 2-3 sprigs of epazote or 2-3 avocado leaves (optional)

    • 2 cups dried bayo beans (or black beans)

    blank

    • 2 tbsp lard (or bacon fat, or oil with a high smoke point)

    • 1 white onion, chopped

    • 2 cloves garlic, minced

    • 1-2 jalapeños or serranos, diced (optional)

    • 1/4 cup cooking liquid from beans

    • Salt, to taste

    Directions

      blank

      1. Soak the beans overnight if possible, which will speed up the cooking process. If you forget, no worries—you’ll just cook them longer.

      2. Drain the soaked beans and add them to a pot. Cover with cold water by a few inches. Drop in the halved onion, garlic, and epazote or avocado leaves if using.

      3. Bring the beans to a boil, then cover and simmer until tender, about 1.5-3 hours.

      blank

      1. In a medium-high heat pan, add the lard (or bacon fat/oil). Sauté the chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced jalapeños or serranos (if using) until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.

      2. Add the cooked beans along with 1/4 cup of their cooking liquid to the pan. Start smashing the beans using a potato masher or the bottom of a mug, twisting as you press down.

      3. Continue stirring and mashing until the beans resemble soft mashed potatoes. Add more of the cooking liquid as needed to achieve your desired consistency.

      4. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt as necessary.

      5. Serve as a side dish or spread on a tortilla. ¡Provecho!

      Leave a comment

      Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

      Read More

      A Guide to Masa Harina

      A Guide to Masa Harina
      How to Get Your Tortillas to Puff Every Time

      How to Get Your Tortillas to Puff Every Time
      Alexa Soto's Mole with Mushrooms

      Alexa Soto's Mole with Mushrooms