Better Canned Refried Beans

Serves: 4 people  |  10 Minute Prep Time |  5 Minutes to Cook

We love a pot of homemade beans and all the versatility that comes with having them on hand. But, we also love shortcuts, so canned beans are a pantry must. We keep pinto and black beans stocked at all times, both in charro style (whole) and refried. But here’s the thing – straight out of the can, refried beans can look truly unappetizing (especially when you buy those without lard or vegetable oils). Like a picky child, we say it’s a texture thing. And yet, it’s one that can easily be resolved with a couple of steps.

Here we take canned beans and blend them together with sautéed onions, tomatoes and cilantro. You could also sauté a jalapeño or Serrano pepper with the onion. Skip the tomato and/or cilantro. You might blend in some chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (another pantry staple). Most of the time, we simply sauté onions and call it a day. The key is simply to blend the beans with an ingredient that boosts their flavor plus a little water to improve their texture. You won’t believe what a difference it makes!

Enjoy these on everything from bean and cheese tacos to chalupas and sopes. They will be a family favorite!

Instructions:

1. Heat olive or avocado oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add onions, garlic and tomatoes and sauté for a few minutes until cooked through.
2. Add the mix to a blender (an immersion blender in the pan will make cleanup easier) along with the canned beans, the cilantro, and the water.
3. Return the mix to the pan and heat through.