Name: Easy Refried Black Beans
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 Tbsp avocado, sunflower or grapeseed oil; 1 cup chopped purple onion; 1 Tbsp minced jalapeño; 1 tsp minced garlic (2 medium garlic clove); 2 15 oz cans black beans, (drained and rinsed, reserve ½ cup liquid from can. ); ½ tsp each: kosher salt, ground cumin, chili powder and ground coriander.; 1 tsp minced lime zest; 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime)

An easy Refried Black Beans recipe loaded with flavor and ready in less than 25 minutes! It’s incredibly simple, so you don’t need a lot of time or energy to do it, and the flavor is just so good.

A white bowl with refried black beans. — These refried beans are healthy!

Canned Refried Black Beans

While I’m not a fan of canned refried pinto beans, I make the exception when it comes to black beans. For this recipe there is no need to cook them from scratch as I think canned black beans are delicious!

Beans are a staple dish in any Mexican household.

I love having refried beans at home at all times since I can make a quick meal with them in no time! I always make a big batch of Pinto Beans and freeze them to have them handy. However, sometimes I feel like something different and this recipe is perfect for that!

These black beans (frijoles negros in Spanish) go perfect with any meal like tacos dorados, or make tacos with refried beans, serve with Mexican Red Rice and even just to dip your Tortilla Chips in!

A bowl of black beans with chips on the side — This Refried Black Beans recipe is very easy to make

Ingredients

To “refry” these beans I’m using low oil in order to keep them healthy plus the extra fat is not necessary. The other ingredients give so much flavor already and make this recipe just perfect!

The beans – This recipe uses 2 cans black whole beans.
The oil – avocado, sunflower or grapeseed oil is the best for this recipe since they handle high heat better than other oils.
The onion – I prefer to use purple onion for this recipe but white or yellow onion will work too if that’s what you have in hand.
Pepper – Just a little chopped jalapeño is all we need to provide amazing flavor!
Garlic – Preferably use fresh chopped garlic but the jar stuff will also work in a pinch.
The spices – kosher salt, ground cumin, chili powder and ground coriander.
Lime – Both the zest and lime juice are used in this recipe. The lime gives an incredible flavor since it balances the spices with a little acid. Don’t skip it!

All ingredients on a wood cutting board.

How to Make Refried Black Beans

Fundamentally, you’ll just saute the veggies, add the canned black beans, then smash everything together. Easy!

Step 1: Heat oil in a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat; add the onion, jalapeño and garlic. Saute vegetables until tender.

A white skillet sauteing onions, and chopped jalapeños.

Step 2: Add half of the beans to the onion mixture, mashing with a potato masher until slightly chunky.

A white skillet sauteing onions, jalapeños and adding whole black beans.

Mash the beans to your desired consistency

Step 3: Add the remaining beans, salt, zest, cumin, chili powder and coriander.

A white skillet with black beans and seasonings on top.

Step 4: Heat on low until beans are warmed through, about 15 minutes. Then add in lime juice before serving.

A white skillet with refried black beans.

What to serve with canned refried beans

These black beans are pretty universal in character and friendly with a wide range of other dishes. Here are a few more suggestions out of many!

On Tostadas topped with lettuce, homemade salsa and crumbled queso fresco.
Make Tlacoyos.
Make refried beans quesadillas: just fill a flour or corn tortilla with shredded cheese and these beans.
As a bean dip.

FAQs

Can you freeze refried beans?

Freezing any kind of cooked beans is the best way to preserve the flavors and freshness since they tend to spoil fast. Freeze the beans for 1-2 months in an airtight container or freezer ziploc bags.

What are the calories in refried beans?

1 cup has about 225 calories when oil is kept at minimum. Carbohydrates & protein provide 4 calories per gram and fat provides 9 calories per gram. This is why it’s important to keep the oil low when possible.

What are the carbs in refried beans?

They contain 9.85g of net carbs per 100g serving so this makes it a high carb dish. The good news is that it contains 7 grams of fiber!

Are refried black beans healthy?

They are healthy when the oil and fatty ingredients are kept at minimum. Beans themselves are highly nutritious; high in fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin B6, plus many more and also support heart health.

Table setting with a bowl, a small cutting board with avocado and two blue glasses.

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