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Closeup on a bowl of restaurant style refried beans.
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5 from 6 votes

Restaurant Style Refried Beans

Restaurant Style Refried Beans are not only simple to make, they are SO much better than the canned version. Use a food processor to combine a nice veggie sauté with pinto beans, a touch of hot sauce, and some butter. A great addition to all of your Tex-Mex recipes! 
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American, Mexican
Keyword easy refried beans, restaurant style refried beans
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 6 1/3 cup servings
Calories 268kcal
Author Sue Ringsdorf

Ingredients

  • 30 oz. pinto beans - rinsed and strained
  • 1-2 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion - diced
  • 1 medium jalapeno pepper - diced
  • 2 cloves garlic - minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste
  • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 medium lime - freshly juiced
  • water - to thin
  • chopped cilantro and a dash of hot sauce - to serve

Instructions

  • Sauté the veggies. Heat a cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add some olive oil, and then the diced onions and peppers. Sauté for a few minutes, or until veggies are soft. Then add the garlic, ground cumin, salt, and pepper – and stir for another 30 seconds.
    1-2 Tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 cup yellow onion, 1 medium jalapeno pepper, 2 cloves garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Add beans. Add the pinto beans and and continue cooking for several minutes until beans are heated.
    30 oz. pinto beans
  • Process. Spoon the veggie mixture into a food processor, and pulse until it’s completely pureed. Add butter, fresh lime juice, and pulse again. Then add water to thin beans as desired. (I normally add at least 1/4 cup.)
    2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 medium lime, water
  • Serve. Serve refried beans with some chopped cilantro and a dash of hot sauce.
    chopped cilantro and a dash of hot sauce

Video

Notes

  • We love these refried beans in quesadillas, tostadas, tacos, and as a dip for chips! 
  • Store leftover refried beans in an airtight container in your refrigerator for 3-4 days.
 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 658mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 153IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 3mg