Until I learned to make homemade refried beans, I didn’t care for them. Once I made them myself, I was hooked. Skip the cans of less than appealing refried beans and make your own!
I figured there has to be a way to make tasty Mexican fare at home, without the cost and junk that most store-bought items include.
This simple refried beans recipe fills the bill nicely!

You can serve these refried beans as a side dish or as part of a burrito, enchilada, or quesadilla. Mini taco bites also use refried beans!
Refried beans are very versatile. I tend to use pinto beans most of the time but have substituted black beans in a pinch. Use what you have on hand.
You can make these refried beans as spicy (or not spicy!) as you like. This recipe is vegetarian- friendly because it uses no lard or animal products.
I cook this recipe up in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet. Since my skillet is so well used and seasoned, the refried beans do not stick to the skillet. You can use a non-stick skillet, but you will be using a potato masher, so be sure it’s a pan that can take some “abuse.”
Serve this recipe alongside your favorite Mexican dish. We enjoy it with enchiladas or inside of a quesadilla along with cheese.
Super simple refried beans!

Skip the canned variety and make your own!
Ingredients
- 2 TB olive oil
- 1 qt pinto beans (I use home-canned beans
- 1 ts black pepper
- 1/2 ts kosher salt
- 2 ts cumin
- 2 ts oregano
- 2 ts cilantro
- 1/4 cup Pace Medium Picante Sauce (or homemade variety)
Instructions
- Pour oil into large pan, then add pinto beans with can juices.
- Using a potato masher, break up beans into a smooth paste. I like to leave some beans rather large, but broken. They will continue to break down as they cook, so don't worry about getting all beans smoothed out.
- Stir in spices & salsa.
- Cook over medium-low heat until hot.
- Continue stirring so the beans do not dry out.
- If the beans are looking dry, add another TB of oil.
- Towards the end of cooking time, add about 1/4 cup warm water and stir. This will make the beans fluffy and smooth.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 139Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 375mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 5g
Serve these refried beans with these Mexican recipes!

Chicken Enchiladas

Simple Chicken Cheese Enchilada Boats

Chicken Fajita Salad
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Great tips I will have to try this recipe!
Thanks for visiting and commenting, Sarah!
Please let me know how you like them. 🙂
I make mine totally fat free by skipping all the oil and just throwing them in my stand mixer. It mashes them and they taste great!