If you love Mexican food, chances are you also enjoy refried beans. Have you ever wondered how to recreate the beans that the restaurant gives you, without making your own? Here is a tried and true kitchen hack that will give you smooth and creamy, flavorful refried beans every time.
We love tacos, tostadas, and burritos in this house and over the years I have found an easy and delicious way to get your beans smooth and creamy just like the restaurant does. It is a simple hack that I think you will love.
First, I start with the Spicy beans if there is just a few of us eating. My hubby does not care for much spicy foods, so I will mix 1 can of regular and 1 can of the spicy to get some flavor but make it not too hot for him when there are more people at the table. Or you can add a bit of salsa or hot sauce if you like more flavor.
In a medium saucepan, add the 2 cans and put it on low to medium heat. Then start with 1/8th of a cup of water and mix it in with a spatula while smoothing out the mixture. If you want a thinner and smoother texture, add an additional 1/8th cup of water as it warms up. Do not add too much water. Just a bit at a time so you can control the thickness.
What you end up with is a creamy texture that is not dry or lumpy. Perfect for spreading on tortillas or shells to your liking. Great for adding to nachos too!
Hope you give it a try next time you make canned beans and enjoy!
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We eat Mexican food frequently and really like refried beans. I like your idea of mixing the spicy and traditional to balance the amount of spice for those that like more moderate spice. They do look creamy and delicious and perfect for spreading on a shell.
I don’t usually add anything to thin it out when I open a can of refried beans, I like the thick consistency. Thank you for sharing this secret.
This is an easy way to make creamy refried beans and I shall definitely have to try it I usually start with dried beans, but I want to see the difference in flavor if I make them your way.
I really like refried beans, but I’ve never made them myself! I usually order them in restaurants, but I think I’ll try making them.
Aha, so THAT’s the secret to creamy tasting refried beans. I hate when they are all lumpy – ugh. I never would have thought to add water slowly like that. The best Mexican food I ever had was in La Jolla, California – so good! Their refried beans were nice and creamy, not like at the chain restaurants. Gonna try this!
I love refriedd beans. I will sometimes add picante sauce and that thins it up a bit. I am one of those odd people who will eat refried beans on theiir own with cheese on the, They are a great source of protein and are so good.
I do add salsa to my beans since I like them more flavorful.
I cook my beans from dried, then mash them, so it takes lots longer but it’s very inexpensive. My main problem is finding days lately that aren’t scorching hot since I cook them for hours. It will be 104 in the valley tomorrow, so guess I’ll put off cooking them, but I’d love to eat them every day!
Thank you so much for posting this one. I love refried beans but once they are in the refrigerator they are never as good as they were the fist night. I am so going to try this next time. We love Mexican food and I can’t wait to use this trick.
Tacos, Burritos, Enchiladas…yes, yes, and yes. We love Mexican food and with Mexican food is beans. Great recipe and easy way to make canned seem more home made. Love the idea of adding salsa, too.