How To Make Canned Refried Beans Better
Want to learn how to make canned refried beans better? It’s simple and only adds a few minutes of cooking time. This canned refried beans recipe will be perfect for serving with all of your favorite Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes.
Suitable for gluten free and vegetarian diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.
I love making Mexican dishes at home. There’s something incredibly satisfying about indulging in a plate full of cheesy enchiladas, zesty tacos, or loaded nachos.
And my go-to ingredient for making these favorites? Canned refried beans. That’s because I’ve figured out how to make canned refried beans better.
Refried beans are affordable, convenient, and oh-so-easy to serve up. And who among us hasn’t popped open a can, scooped some onto a plate, and called it a day?
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But here’s the scoop (pun intended) – while canned refried beans might be a cinch to prepare, they often fall flat in the flavor department.
Cooking with canned goods is a great way to save time and money in the kitchen. Luckily, I’ve got some super simple tricks up my sleeve for how to make canned refried beans better.
And for even more awesome canned beans tips, check out How To Cook Canned Black Beans and my How To Cook Canned Pinto Beans recipe.
Serve with easy 4 ingredient Corn Tortillas and easy Guacamole for a fast meal.
Transform those bland beans into a fiesta of flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. This best canned refried bean recipe will turn lackluster legumes into a homemade restaurant style refried beans masterpiece.
Why Make This Recipe
- Minimal Effort, Maximum Reward – Sometimes, the simplest changes yield the most delightful results. Like with my How To Cook Canned Chickpeas, With just a few extra ingredients, you’ll achieve a major upgrade in taste without breaking a sweat.
- Flavor Explosion – Tired of lackluster, bland beans? Learn how to cook canned refried beans and take them from “meh” to “wow” with just a few simple additions.
- It’s Quick and Easy – This recipe is designed for busy folks who want a tasty side dish without the hassle.
- Love canned food, then check out this awesome canned food guides.
Ingredient Notes
- Olive Oil – Use any light, neutral flavored oil. You can also use butter if preferred.
- Red Onion – Red onion provides a sweet and slightly pungent flavor. If you don’t have red onion, you can use yellow or white onion instead. You can also use onion powder.
- Garlic Cloves – Garlic is a flavor powerhouse. If you’re in a hurry, use pre-minced garlic from a jar. You can also use granulated garlic powder, but the flavor will be milder.
- Tomatoes – Tomatoes add a tangy and juicy element. You can substitute fresh tomatoes with canned diced tomatoes, drained if fresh ones aren’t available.
- Ground Cumin – Cumin brings warm earthy notes.
- Ground Coriander – Ground coriander has a citrusy and slightly spicy flavor.
- Smoked Paprika – Smoked paprika lends a smoky, slightly sweet flavor. Regular paprika can be used, but it will lack the smoky kick.
- Dried Oregano – Oregano adds a hint of Mediterranean flavor. Substitute with dried thyme or basil if needed.
- Canned Refried Beans – The star of the show! You can choose vegetarian or traditional refried beans based on your preference.
- Sea Salt – Salt enhances all the flavors. Adjust according to your taste, but be cautious since canned beans often have salt already.
Ready to make canned refried beans taste better? Gather your ingredients, and I will show you…
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
How To Make Canned Refried Beans Better
Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Open your canned refried beans (using this awesome can opener).
- Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the oil. Sauté the onion for about 5 minutes until soft and then add in the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the chopped tomato and cook for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the spices and salt and let them simmer for about 30 seconds before adding the refried beans. Stir everything together and add a splash of water, if needed, to loosen the beans a bit.
- Continue stirring and bring everything to a simmer. Switch off the heat when the refried beans are heated through.
- Garnish with grated cheese and chopped cilantro, if desired.
Expert Tips
- Chop your onions, garlic, and tomatoes before you start cooking. This way, you won’t have to rush while your ingredients are on the heat.
- Allow the tomatoes to cook down and release their juices. This will create a flavorful base for your beans.
- Remember that canned refried beans often contain salt, so taste before adding extra. You can always adjust later if needed.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings and ingredients based on your personal taste. Cooking is all about making the dish your own!
- Use a great can opener to easily and smoothly open canned food.
- Please do check out some of my favorite things to use to make this recipe. Do you have some of these already?
Delicious Variations
- Cheesy Beans – Stir in a handful of shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack cheese to melt into the beans. The gooey goodness will take your refried beans to a whole new level of indulgence.
- Spicy Beans – For those who love heat, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes while sautéing the onions and garlic. You can also add a dash of hot sauce.
- Swap the Beans – Different beans such as black beans, pinto beans, or kidney beans can create a unique twist on traditional refried beans.
- Add A Topping – Top these restaurant-style refried beans with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and a dash of hot sauce. They will taste like they came from your favorite Mexican restaurant.
- Bacon Beans – Cook and crumble a few strips of bacon to mix into the refried beans. The smoky and savory bacon flavor will infuse the dish with deliciousness. A bit of bacon fat can also bump up the flavor.
- Swap The Seasonings – Use your favorite seasonings to flavor these creamy refried beans. Try bacon grease, chili powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, chicken broth, chili pepper, lime juice, cream cheese, taco seasoning, and more to make the best refried beans to serve with your next Mexican meal.
Prep And Storage
- Prep Ahead – Chop the onions, garlic, and tomatoes in advance for easy prep.
- Store – Store leftover refried beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze – Transfer cooled beans to a freezer-safe container to freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or a saucepan on the stove.
FAQs
You can make refried beans from canned pinto beans. You will want to drain and rinse the beans. You can use an immersion blender or a potato masher to mash them to your desired consistency.
Then continue with the recipe as instructed. You may find that you will need two cans of pinto beans to match the volume of one can of refried beans.
Using canned black beans is a flavorful twist on traditional refried beans. Drain and rinse the beans, then use an immersion blender or a potato masher to mash them to a creamy texture.
Then continue with the recipe as instructed. You may find that you will need two cans of black beans to match the volume of one can of refried beans.
Canned refried beans can be a good source of protein and fiber, but some may contain added salt and preservatives.
Look for low-sodium or organic options for a healthier choice. Refried beans are gluten free and many may be vegetarian or vegan.
These upgraded beans are fantastic as a side dish, make a bean dip with tortilla chips, or filling for tacos, breakfast tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or quesadillas. They also make a delicious topping for nachos.
More Recipes You May Like
- How To Cook Canned Corn.
- How To Cook Canned Peas.
- How To Cook Canned Carrots.
- How To Cook Canned Chickpeas.
- How To Make Canned Green Beans Taste Better.
Canned Food Collections
And, be sure to check out this collection of 21 Canned Chicken recipes, the 21 Best Canned Tuna Recipes, and these easy Canned Salmon Recipes.
Serving Suggestions
- Need a quick dinner? Whip up Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas or Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas with a side of these canned refried beans.
- Great for serving as a dip paired with homemade Air Fryer Tortilla Chips.
- Refried beans and Chicken Quesadillas are a true family favorite.
Recommended Tools
- An awesome can opener to open cans easily at the push of a button.
- Great saucepans for even cooking.
- A good set of spices and seasonings to upgrade your food.
- For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.
Weight Watchers Points
There is just 1 Blue Plan SmartPoint in one serving of this.
More Canned Food Recipes
Be sure to check out these other awesome How To Cook Canned Food recipes;
Thank you for reading my canned refried beans recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice, and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.
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How To Make Canned Refried Beans Better
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon olive oil
- ½ small red onion
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 medium tomatoes finely chopped
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 16 ounces (454g) refried beans 1 can
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the oil. Sauté the onion for about 5 minutes soft and then add in the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the chopped tomato and cook for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the spices and salt and let them simmer for about 30 seconds before adding the refried beans. Stir everything together and add a splash of water, if needed, to loosen the beans a bit.
- Continue stirring and bring everything to a simmer. Switch off the heat when the refried beans are heated through.
- Garnish with grated cheese and chopped cilantro, if desired.
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Notes
- Chop your onions, garlic, and tomatoes before you start cooking. This way, you won’t have to rush while your ingredients are on the heat.
- Allow the tomatoes to cook down and release their juices. This will create a flavorful base for your beans.
- Remember that canned refried beans often contain salt, so taste before adding extra. You can always adjust later if needed.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings and ingredients based on your personal taste. Cooking is all about making the dish your own!
- Storage – keep in an airtight container inside the fridge for 4 days.
- There is just 1 WW Blue Plan SmartPoint in one serving of this.
