What Are Refried beans and How Can I Use Them?

Here's everything worth knowing about refried beans and how to pick them, what they are, how to store them, and what to use instead, plus 91 recipes to cook tonight.

What are refried beans?

Refried beans are cooked beans that have been mashed and fried in fat until they turn into a soft, savory paste. The name is a bit misleading. The Spanish "frijoles refritos" means "well fried," not fried twice, so they are really just beans fried well in lard or oil.

Pinto beans are the usual base, which gives the classic tan, earthy version you scoop into a burrito. Black beans make a darker, slightly sweeter style common in southern Mexico.

The texture is the whole point. Good refried beans are creamy and spreadable, somewhere between mashed potatoes and a thick dip, never dry or grainy.

Cooking With Refried Beans

Refried beans are the workhorse layer in Tex-Mex cooking. They spread inside a burrito or quesadilla, anchor a bowl of nachos, or get smeared on a tostada to hold everything else in place.

They also make the base of a party dip. A Seven Layer Taco Dip - Superbowl starts with refried beans on the bottom, and an Old El Paso Layered Bean Dip works the same way. The beans give the layers below something to sit on.

To make them from scratch, cook dried pinto beans until very soft. Fry them in hot lard or oil while mashing with a potato masher, then splash in cooking liquid to loosen. See beans for the method that gets them tender enough to mash.

Canned refried beans are a real shortcut. They taste much better with a little help: fry them in a spoonful of fat, loosen with water or broth, then season with cumin and garlic. They show up in dishes like Mexican Nacho Casserole and a Big Fat Burrito.

Pairings and Common Mistakes

Refried beans pair with everything in the Mexican pantry. Melted cheese, pickled jalapenos, salsa, cumin, garlic, raw onion, cilantro, lime, and crisp tortilla chips all sit well alongside them.

The biggest mistake is serving them too dry. Beans firm up fast as they cool and turn pasty, so keep them looser than you think on the stove. They will thicken on the plate.

The second mistake is under-seasoning. Beans are bland on their own and need real salt plus fat to taste like anything. Lard or bacon drippings carry the most flavor, but olive oil or even butter works for a vegetarian pot.

Skip the chunky look if you want them authentic. A few whole beans left in are fine, but the texture should mostly be smooth.

Substitutes

Whole cooked beans, mashed with a fork right in the pan, are the easiest stand-in when you have no refried beans. Use pinto or black beans, then add fat and salt to get most of the way there.

Hummus can fill the same creamy role in a wrap or dip, though it brings a sesame and chickpea flavor instead of the cumin-and-pork profile. A thick black bean puree also works and reads more Latin.

For the reverse, refried beans can replace plain mashed beans anywhere you want a smoother, richer layer, like in the Guacamole, Refried Black Bean & Cherry Tomato Burrito.

Buying and Storing

Canned refried beans line the Mexican aisle in several styles: plain pinto, black bean, vegetarian, and spicy. Vegetarian cans use vegetable oil instead of lard, so check the label if that matters to you. Fat-free versions exist but taste flat.

An opened can keeps three to four days in the fridge in a covered container. Homemade refried beans last about the same, and both freeze well for up to three months. They thicken in the cold, so loosen with a splash of water when you reheat.

Stored beans develop a skin on top as they sit. Just stir it back in. If they smell sour or look fizzy, toss them, since cooked beans spoil faster than most leftovers.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find refried beans: Refried beans are usually found in the canned goods section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Refried beans are a member of the Legumes and Legume Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

豆泥

British (UK) term

Refried beans

en français

haricots frits

en español

frijoles refritos

How much do refried beans weigh?

Related

Legumes and Legume Products

Recipes using refried beans

There are 91 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Huevos Rancheros

Huevos rancheros stack sunny-side-up eggs on warm corn tortillas with refried beans, green chili, and melted cheddar. Mexican breakfast plate ready in 20 minutes.

Refried Beans & Cheese Bread

This bread can either accompany or replace the Southwestem breakfast staple of refried beans topped with cheese or wrapped in a flour tortilla.

Huevos Loma Vista

A vibrant Mexican-inspired breakfast featuring creamy avocado, poached eggs, warm refried beans, and zesty salsa, served on a bed of crisp lettuce. Perfect for a quick, flavorful brunch.

Huevos Rojo y Verdes (Mexican Red & Green Eggs)

I had these for breakfast frequently when staying in Tlaqupaque, Mexico outside Guadalajara. Here's my version that recreates this local specialty. I haven't seen them anywhere else. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo.

Chili Ala Capt. James Mcdonnell

Beef and Italian sausage chili with a tablespoon of instant coffee for depth, two kinds of beans (kidney and refried), and a Monterey Jack topping. Captain's recipe.

Big Fat Burrito

Burrito is one of the easiest foods to make, and it's also delicious and filling. A quick way to make a tasty and nutritious meal.

Refried Bean & Cheese Bread

A wonderfully soft and easy bread machine recipe infused with refried beans and sharp cheddar cheese, lightly spiced with chili powder and garlic. Ideal as a side for Mexican dishes or a hearty addictive snack.

Fresh Seven-Layer Dip

So yummy, store-bought seven-layer dip can never beat freshly homemade version, no doubt.

Spicy Burrito Bonanza

Loaded burritos stuffed with seasoned ground beef and spicy pork sausage, refried beans, fresh tomato, Monterey Jack cheese, and crisp lettuce. A 30-minute weeknight dinner the whole family will fight over.

Beef & Bean Burrito Stack (Crockpot, Slow Cooker)

A unique burrito like "stack" made in your crockpot, cheesy and tasty.

Easy Bean Burritos

Easy vegetarian bean burritos: refried beans, seasoned taco filling, cheese, and taco sauce rolled in flour tortillas and warmed in minutes. A fast, freezer-friendly lunch or weeknight dinner.

Mixed Tostadas

Tostadas always make a nice alternative to a salad. Love the crunch, I used beef that was cooked with some taco seasoning instead of chicken.

Nacho Casserole

This nacho casserole is cheesy, tasty and packed with flavors. Serve it with some tortilla chips, heavenly delicious.

Guacamole, Refried Black Bean & Cherry Tomato Burrito

Make this easy, tasty yet nutritious burrito for breakfast, lunch, or any time of the day when you feel hungry. It not only fills you up, but also provides you all kinds of nutrients.

Mexican Tortilla Pizzas

These delicious tortilla pizzas are quick and easy to make, they are great for a week day dinner when you don't want to spend too much time preparing dinner.

Avocado Multi-Layer Party Dip

A refreshing twist on a multi-layer tortilla dip great for serving a crowd.

Superbowl Oven-Fried Jalapeno Poppers (low-fat)

These stuffed jalapeno peppers are "fried" in the oven to cut the fat in a big way. A mixture of refried beans and cheese creates a warm and gooey inside with the cornmeal delivering a delicate crispy outside. Perfect for New Years or Superbowl gatherings.

Mexican Nacho Casserole

An easy, filling yet delicious week-night meal that's ready within half an hour.

Seven Layer Taco Dip - Superbowl

Excellent. Several of our guests stated that they hate refried beans but after trying this dip they are converted. Great mix of flavors, I added a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce that was chopped and mixed into the refried beans. A perfect superbowl dip or great anytime you have a gathering.

Shrimp Tostadas with Guacamole

Build-your-own grilled shrimp tostadas on crispy fried tortillas with refried beans, fresh guacamole, salsa, lettuce, and Mexican cheese. A fun, hands-on Mexican dinner that feeds a crowd in 40 minutes.

Salsa Pizza with Black Bean Crust

It is an interesting way to make pizza, more like Mexican and American combination, and quite tasty.

La Marada

Tex-Mex tostadas with deep-fried flour tortillas piled with pork, Rotel tomatoes, refried beans, shredded cheese, lettuce, avocado, and sour cream. Family-style Southwest dinner.

Mexican Lasagna- Altered

Mexican lasagna layers seasoned ground beef, refried beans, salsa, and a Monterey Jack-cheddar blend between lasagna noodles, finished with a sour cream and olive topping. Big-batch, freezer-friendly weeknight dinner.

Layered Mexican Dish

Layered Mexican dip: refried beans and bean dip topped with fresh guacamole, a seasoned sour cream and cheese layer, and black olives. A no-fuss party appetizer that disappears in minutes.

Turkey & Bean Tacos

Leftover turkey and fat-free refried beans cooked with onions, bell peppers, chili powder, and sour cream, loaded into crispy taco shells with cheddar. A quick, lighter taco night that puts those turkey leftovers to good use.

Hamburger Bean Dip

Hearty slow cooker bean dip packed with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, melted longhorn cheese, and sour cream with a spicy kick from hot sauce.

Nose Blow Burritos

Spicy ground beef burritos with refried beans, fresh tomatoes, and taco seasoning served in flour tortillas with guacamole and sour cream. A fun, fiery burrito the whole family can build at the table.

Egg Burrito

Loaded breakfast egg burrito with buttermilk scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, refried beans, chili verde, and mixed cheeses in a grilled flour tortilla. Smothered in green chile sauce.

Brown-Bag Burritos

Make-ahead beef and bean burritos with enchilada sauce and melty cheddar, wrapped in foil for grab-and-go lunches. Eat them cold or microwave in a minute. Meal prep for the whole week.

Country Style Bean Chili

A hearty meatless three-bean chili with kidney beans, chickpeas, and refried beans simmered in beer and chicken broth. Topped with sharp cheddar and croutons. Feeds 6 to 8.

Turkey Nachos

Turkey nachos layer seasoned refried beans, cumin-spiced turkey with green chilies, and melted Monterey Jack over crisp corn chips. A clever way to use leftover holiday turkey.

Tostada Pizza

Tostada pizza with a homemade biscuit-style crust topped with refried beans, taco-seasoned beef, melted cheese, and fresh lettuce and tomato. Ready in 30 minutes.

Modern Fajitas

Modern fajitas with flank steak marinated overnight in a chili-cocoa-tequila rub, then grilled and sliced for tortillas. Served with guacamole, refried beans, salsa, and cilantro for a smoky Tex-Mex spread.

Layered Fiesta Dip

Layered fiesta dip stacks cream cheese, refried beans, salsa, shredded cheese, and jalapenos on a platter. Five ingredients, zero cooking, guaranteed crowd-pleaser for game day or parties.

Chili Tostados

Chili tostados with crispy fried flour tortillas topped with refried beans, red beans, shredded lettuce, guacamole, and chopped tomatoes. A loaded Mexican open-faced taco.

Vegetarian Chili(Hawk)

Seven-ingredient vegetarian chili built on a can of refried beans, tomato sauce, and basic pantry spices. Comes together in 20 minutes flat. The college-dorm chili that scales to a real weeknight bowl.

Hot Chile Pepper Twists

Hot chile pepper twists: braided cilantro-cornmeal bread stuffed with refried beans, green chilies, olives, salsa, and Monterey Jack. A Tex-Mex stuffed loaf that pulls apart in golden ropes.

Mexican Dairy Dip

Mexican dairy dip with cream cheese, refried beans, and chili powder blended smooth. A three-ingredient game-day dip that takes 10 minutes and a springform pan.

Tex Mex Lasagna

Lasagna on no not that! So hard to cook...what a MYTH! I love to make lasagna and I came up with this recipe by combing several recipes I found on line.

Quick Bean Dip

This quick Mexican bean dip is packed with flavor. It can be a dip or a filling to make burrito. Within about 10 minutes, you will be able to enjoy a quick delicious meal.

Refried Bean Dip

Five-minute refried bean dip with sour cream, chili powder, hot sauce, and chopped onion. A creamy, spiced party dip made from pantry staples. Just mix and serve with tortilla chips.

Southwestern Tortilla Wedges

Stacked Southwestern tortilla wedges layered with chicken, guacamole, refried beans, salsa, sour cream, and melted cheddar. A fun shareable appetizer or snack.

Chalupas Compuestas

Crispy tostadas loaded with refried beans, melted cheddar, and chili con carne, then topped with cool shredded lettuce and guacamole. A 15-minute Mexican-style open-faced feast that feeds a crowd.

Mexican Rice Cakes

Mexican rice cakes top puffed rice rounds with refried beans, picante sauce, cheddar and jalapeños, then bake until bubbly. A light 20-minute Tex-Mex snack or quick lunch.

Ensalada Compurste

Ensalada compuesta is a Mexican-style stuffed tortilla layered with seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and melted cheddar, then piled high with lettuce, vegetables, and dressing. Hearty taco salad meets enchilada.

Huevos Rancheros 2

Huevos rancheros with fried eggs on corn tortillas topped with refried beans, Monterey Jack, and fresh salsa with avocado and jalapeno. A 10-minute Mexican breakfast.

Chicken- Taco Bake

Layered chicken taco bake with seasoned shredded chicken, rice, refried beans, and melted cheese. A freezer-friendly Mexican casserole that feeds a crowd in one 9x13 pan.

Cajun Tostada with Tomato Cumin Dressing

Cajun blackened chicken tostadas on crispy fried tortillas with refried beans, feta cheese, avocado, and a tomato cumin dressing. A bold Cajun-Mexican fusion dinner ready in 30 minutes.

Bean Lasagne

Mexican-style bean lasagne layered with fat-free refried beans, taco sauce, corn, cottage cheese, and olives. No-boil noodles bake right in the pan. Vegetarian and low-fat.

Gabe's Gluttonous 3-Cheese Dip

Hot three-cheese dip baked until bubbling, with sharp cheddar, cream cheese, and parmesan thickened by refried beans and spiced with chili and garlic. A scoop-ready Tex-Mex dip for chips and game day.

All 91 recipes