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Authentic Refried Beans

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Authentic Refried Beans are a delicious staple of Mexican cuisine, made with just a handful of wholesome ingredients. This recipe offers stove top, Instant Pot, or slow cooker methods, ensuring you can enjoy creamy, flavorful beans regardless of your cooking style. Perfect as a side dish or filling for tacos, these refried beans are both easy to prepare and healthy!

Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ lb dried pinto beans
  • ½ medium onion, quartered
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
  • 2 sprigs fresh epazote (or ½ tsp dried oregano)
  • 1 small bay leaf
  • Water
  • Sea salt or kosher salt
  • 3 tbsp minced onions
  • 4 tbsp lard or turkey bacon drippings (or 2 tbsp olive oil)
  • Ground black pepper
  • Queso fresco or cotija cheese (for topping)
  • Chopped cilantro (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Soak the dried pinto beans overnight or in boiling water for 45 minutes. Drain.
  2. For all methods (stove top, slow cooker, Instant Pot), combine beans with onion, garlic, epazote/oregano, bay leaf, and enough water to cover by at least two inches.
  3. Stove Top: Boil for 1.5 to 2 hours until tender.
  4. Slow Cooker: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours until tender.
  5. Instant Pot: Pressure cook on high for 45 minutes; natural release for 25 minutes.
  6. Discard aromatics and reserve cooking liquid.
  7. In a skillet, heat lard/oil over medium-high heat. Sauté minced onions until soft.
  8. Add cooked beans, mash with some reserved liquid until desired consistency is reached.
  9. Cook on medium-low until heated through; adjust consistency with liquid as needed.
  10. Season with salt and pepper; serve topped with cheese and cilantro.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://samiharecipes.com/authentic-refried-beans/