Refried beans from a can are yucky. Admit it, you only use them because you don't have time to make a good batch by scratch. I find that most Mexican restaurants refried beans aren't the greatest either. It's a shame because they can be SO good.
My favorite refried beans are served at La Casita Mexican restaurant in Springville, Utah. They most certainly have copious amounts of lard in them. They are so creamy and yummy... Well, since they won't deliver to my house at the drop of a hat, I have to make my own, often at the drop of a hat. If I would actually plan ahead, I'd make my favorite made-from-scratch refried bean recipe It's my copycat version of La Casita's refried beans. I need to remember to post that recipe too.
Anyway, I created this easy recipe and it has been the best solution for a quick compromise, that our family really enjoys. A trick is to thin the beans with water, so they don't have such a gacky texture. Then I re-fry the "refried" beans in coconut oil, adding some seasonings. Big improvement.
Note about coconut oil: We eat it in our home for it's health benefits. Some health experts recommend consuming 2 T coconut oil per day. No problem, I use it in my cooking all the time.
Easy Re-fried Beans recipe:
2 T. virgin or deodorized coconut oil
1 clove garlic, smashed
1 pinch hot red chili pepper flakes
1 can refried beans of choice
1/4 c. plus 2 T. purified water, divided
1/2 t. onion powder
1 pinch cumin powder
Method:
Saute the garlic and red pepper flakes in coconut oil until very fragrant and sizzling.
Add the can of beans and stir to mix together.
Add 1/4 c. water to thin the beans, mixing in well.
Add the onion powder and a pinch of cumin. mix in well.
Brown the beans, turning occasionally, until they thicken up and have areas that are browned nicely. This gives a great flavor to the re-fried beans.
Add a touch more water (about 2 T.) to thin the beans to a nice consistency.
Taste for seasonings and adjust if needed. If you used unsalted beans, add salt to taste.
Serve hot.
Note: You can use half bacon fat and half coconut oil for even more flavor!
Photos of the cooking process:
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| Get out all your ingredients first. |
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| Coconut oil, garlic, and red chili pepper flakes go into a frying pan. |
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| Saute the spices until they become very fragrant and sizzling. |
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| Add the boring canned refried beans and stir. |
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| Add 1/4 c. purified water to thin. |
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| Add onion powder and cumin. |
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| Brown, with occasional stirring. |
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| The beans are done browning. Add a couple more T. water to thin again to desired consistency. |
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| Serve the now delicious refried beans with your meal of choice (in this case, fajitas).
Enjoy,
Leila.
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