Frijoles Refritos (Refried Beans)
These Three-Ingredients Refried Beans are all you need to complete your Mexican meals! Nothing fancy, nothing fake, just great beans from an easy recipe.
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 2 hr 30 min
- Yield
- 6 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 pound dried pinto beans
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
- ¼ medium white onion, peeled (optional)
- 1 garlic clove, peeled (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Rinse the beans thoroughly under running water and place in a large bowl. Add enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches. Set aside to soak at room temperature for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.
- 2
Stove top directions:
- 3
When ready to cook, drain the soaked beans and rinse them again under running water.
- 4
In a large 4-quart pot, Mexican olla, or dutch oven, add the beans, 8 cups water, garlic and onion.
- 5
Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a low simmer.
- 6
Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 2 hours or until soft and can break easily with a spoon
- 7
Using a bean/potato masher, smash the beans to form a chunky puree - alternative, use a stick blender to make a smoother puree.
- 8
Add the 1 tablespoon of salt.
- 9
In a small skillet, heat the oil or lard until shimmering over medium-high heat.
- 10
Add the hot oil slowly to the beans (being careful not splash the oil outside of the pot) and mix well until it's integrated into the beans.
- 11
Cook for another 10 minutes on low.
- 12
Slow-cooker directions:
- 13
Rinse beans.
- 14
Place beans in a 4-quart slow cooker with 6 cups of water.
- 15
Cover and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or low for 8 to 10.
- 16
Once the beans are soft and can break easily with a spoon, add the 1 tablespoon of salt.
- 17
In a small skillet, heat the oil or lard until shimmering over medium-high heat.
- 18
Add the hot oil to the beans and mix well until it's integrated into the beans.
- 19
Using a bean/potato masher, smash the beans to form a chunky puree - alternative, use a stick blender to make a smoother puree.
- 20
Cook for another 30 minutes on high.