Best Refried Black Beans
Refried black beans are delicious, creamy and packed with flavor. This simple side dish pairs seamlessly with all of your favorite Mexican food and also works great as a dip for crunchy tortilla chips!
Calories: 173kcal
Equipment
- Large skillet with lid
- Bean masher/potato masher
Ingredients
- 1 & ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil *or avocado oil
- ⅔ large white onion *finely minced *yellow also works
- 2 tablespoons garlic *finely minced *see note below
- 2 15oz cans (3 & ½ cups) black beans *do not drain *see note below
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder *mild or hot per your preference
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika *see note below
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro *chopped
- Lime juice *optional
Recipe notes:
Garlic: I like keeping a jar of minced garlic in the refrigerator, but you can mince up 1-2 fresh cloves if you prefer. Canned black beans: you can also use beans cooked from dry, but you'll likely need more seasonings. Add spices per recipe instructions, taste test and add more as needed. Also, when using beans cooked from dry, I recommend adding about ½ cup of water and increasing simmer time from 10 minutes to 15 or 20. Smoked paprika: Regular paprika also works, but I love the extra flavor from the smoked version. So dang good!Instructions
- Mince onion and garlic (if you're using fresh garlic cloves instead of jarred).
- Add olive oil to a large skillet and place on medium-high heat.1 & ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Allow oil to heat for a few minutes, then add minced onion. Sauté 3-5 minutes until it begins to brown.⅔ large white onion
- Add minced garlic and sauté 30-60 seconds longer.2 tablespoons garlic
- Next you'll add your black beans, no need to drain! Include all liquid.2 15oz cans (3 & ½ cups) black beans
- Mix in all of your spices, cover skillet with a lid, reduce heat to low and simmer approximately 10 minutes.½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Remove from heat and mash beans with a hand/potato masher until they reach your desired consistency. You can also use an immersion or stick blender. If all else fails, you can use a fork! Just be careful not to scratch your pan.
- Stir in your chopped cilantro and a bit of optional fresh lime juice, if desired. Enjoy!¼ cup fresh cilantro, Lime juice
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1/6th of recipe (about ⅔ cup, all values are approximate) | Sodium: 213.7mg | Sugar: 1.9g | Fiber: 8.8g | Calories: 173kcal | Fat: 4.8g | Protein: 8.6g | Carbohydrates: 25.2g