These refried black beans are a quick, easy, and healthy side dish to complement any of your favorite Mexican dishes! Regardless of whether you are looking to keep your calories low, eating around dietary restrictions, or just want to enjoy some tasty refried black beans...you will love how flavorful they are! In just 20 minutes, you'll have the most delicious refried beans and will want to make them over and over again!
Easy Refried Black Beans Recipe
If you're looking for a deliciously authentic Mexican side dish or a protein-packed base for your favorite Tex-Mex dishes, these tasty refried black beans are just the thing! They're tender, creamy, and full of delectable flavors.
This quick version is made with canned black beans and is ready to serve in just 20 minutes! You can also use dry-soaked black beans if you prepare them ahead of time. Either way, they're sure to be a hit with everyone at the table!
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🥘 Refried Black Beans Ingredients
If you cook Mexican food often, then you might have most of these simple ingredients already in your kitchen! Although queso fresco and chopped green onion are optional, they're both a delicious final touch to the beans.
- Coconut Oil - 2 tablespoons of coconut oil.
- White Onion - ¼ large white onion, minced.
- Garlic - 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
- Black Beans - 2 cans of black Beans (15.25 oz cans drained or 1 lb dry-soaked; see notes).
- Cilantro - 1 tablespoon of chopped cilantro (+ more for garnish, if desired).
- Taco Seasoning - ½ tablespoon of taco seasoning. You can use store-bought or my easy recipe.
- Water - ½ cup of water.
- Queso Fresco (optional) - Queso fresco as a garnish if desired.
- Green Onion (optional) - Chopped green onion as a garnish if desired.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Refried Black Beans
It only takes a few minutes of prep work to make a delicious side dish for taco night or any Mexican-themed dinner! You will need a large skillet (or frying pan), measuring spoons, and a silicone kitchen spatula to get started.
This recipe will make approximately 6 servings, but you can easily scale up if you need more!
- Heat oil. Heat 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of coconut oil over medium heat in a large skillet or frying pan.
- Cook. Next, add the ¼ of a large minced onion and 1 teaspoon (3 grams) of garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add ingredients. Add 2 cans of black beans to the cooked onion and garlic, then add 1 tablespoon (0.4 grams) of chopped cilantro if using, and ½ tablespoon (1.3 grams) taco seasoning mix.
- Add water. Stir ingredients together, then add ½ cup (118 milliliters) of water and continue to cook at medium-high heat at a low boil for 10 minutes.
- Simmer. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- Serve. Garnish with green onions and queso (if desired). Serve immediately.
🍴 What To Serve With
I love to make my healthy refried black beans for my 7-Layer Mexican Dip! Also, as a side for any Mexican-themed dinners like my shredded chicken enchiladas or pork tacos!
💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
- If using dried black beans, these must be prepared ahead of time. They must soak in water for at least 12 hours (they will expand) and then be cooked low and slow for about 2 hours, then drained before use.
- Omit the queso fresco for a vegan version.
- For additional flavor, you can swap the water for any type of broth (vegetable, chicken, or beef).
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Allow any leftover refried black beans to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing Refried Black Beans
Store your completely cooled black beans in a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and follow the reheating instructions below.
Reheating Refried Black Beans
To reheat refried black beans, simply add a splash of water or broth to a pan, and heat them over medium-low heat until heated through. Stir occasionally while reheating.
Alternatively, you can reheat them in a microwavable dish in 30-second increments. Stir in between each increment.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Refried black beans can be served as a side dish, a filling for your favorite tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or as a topping for nachos! They're also delicious as a dip with tortilla chips.
The texture of these refried beans is up to your personal preference. You can mash them until smooth after they are done cooking or leave them slightly chunky for more texture! Either way, the result will still be super delicious!
Absolutely! Although I used water in mine, you can use any type of broth (chicken, beef, vegetable) to add an extra flavor to the refried beans, if desired.
🌮 More Mexican Recipes To Try
- Ground Beef Mexican Casserole - A hearty casserole dinner that's easy to make and full of delicious flavors!
- Mexican Shrimp Cocktail - This tasty appetizer is perfect for serving on family taco nights!
- Picadillo Mexicano - A delicious and flavorful filling loaded with ground beef, potatoes, peppers, vegetables, and more!
- Caldo De Pollo - A flavorful, comforting soup that's made with chicken, cilantro, peppers, and vegetables!
- Elotes - This tasty corn only requires a few simple ingredients to make and can be enjoyed any time of the year!
- Mexican Lasagna - This Mexican lasagna is the perfect combination of traditional lasagna and Mexican cuisine!
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📖 Recipe Card
Refried Black Beans
Ingredients
- 2 cans black beans (15.25 oz cans drained or 1 lb dry - soaked)
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil
- ¼ large white onion (minced)
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro (+ more for garnish, if desired)
- ½ tablespoon taco seasoning mix
- ½ cup water
- queso fresco (optional garnish)
- green onion (chopped, optional garnish)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Heat coconut oil over medium heat in a large skillet or frying pan.
- Next, add the minced onion and garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes stirring frequently.
- Add (drained and rinsed) black beans to the cooked onion and garlic, then add the chopped cilantro and taco seasoning mix.
- Stir ingredients together, then add water and continue to cook at medium high heat at a low boil for 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
- Garnish with green onions and queso (if desired). Serve immediately.
Notes
- If using dried black beans, these must be prepared ahead of time. They must soak in water for at least 12 hours (they will expand) and then be cooked low and slow for about 2 hours, then drained before use.
- Omit the queso fresco for a vegan version.
- For additional flavor, you can swap the water for any type of broth (vegetable, chicken, or beef).
Robin says
Excellent refried beans, the onion and cilantro are great for flavoring!