Homemade Frijoles Refritos: This Authentic Refried Beans Recipe is the Perfect Add-on to Any Mexican Dinner

Even though Mexican cuisine is famous for its rich and complex flavors that often take hours to develop, achieving that authentic restaurant taste at home doesn't mean you have to spend the whole day in the kitchen.

While many people think of standard canned beans when planning a Mexican-style dinner, these homemade refried beans turn out incredibly creamy and rich in flavor thanks to slow-cooked pinto beans and a touch of savory spices.

Ingredients: 250-300 g of beans, 2-3 bay leaves, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil (for frying), 1-2 cloves of garlic, 1 small onion, salt, ground black or red pepper, paprika, fresh herbs, cheese for serving.

Cover the beans with cold water and let them soak overnight or for 12–14 hours.

Drain the water. Place the beans in a pot and cover them with fresh water.

The water should be 5–6 cm above the beans. Add 1–2 bay leaves, a few pinches of salt, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Bring the water to a boil and simmer the beans over low heat for about 1.5–2 hours. The cooked beans will be tender but retain their shape.

Drain the beans, but save the cooking liquid. Blend half of the beans in a blender, adding salt and a little ground pepper to taste.

Heat a skillet. Add a few tablespoons of vegetable oil or lard and fry a clove of garlic until golden brown.

The garlic will flavor the oil and also serve as an indicator that the oil has heated to the optimal temperature. In oil that is not hot enough, the onion will simmer, but it needs to be fried quickly and thoroughly.

Add the finely chopped onion to the pan and fry, stirring frequently, until golden brown.

Add the beans to the pan. Using a potato masher or any other convenient utensil, start mashing the beans. To prevent the mixture from sticking and to make it easier to mash, gradually add the water left over from cooking the beans.

Once all the beans are mashed, add salt and spices to taste. Stirring constantly, simmer the mixture for a few more minutes until it thickens.

You can tell that the mixture has reached the optimal consistency as follows: run a spoon along the bottom of the pot with the beans. If the resulting streak is clearly visible for a few seconds and then gradually fades — it’s ready. As it cools, the mixture will thicken further and take on the consistency of mashed beans or a thick paste.

The refried beans are ready! Sprinkle each serving with herbs and grated cheese. Serve as an appetizer wrapped in a flatbread, or as a dip for wheat or corn chips.