Strangely, I’ve met few people in my life who say they love refried beans. I, however, am one of those people who love them! But that’s because I always make this nummy refried beans recipe that beats any Mexican restaurant’s refried beans hands down. How can anyone resist the cheesy, buttery goodness that makes the perfect side to any Mexican entree?
Pair these beans with homemade salsa and easy guacamole, and you’re all set for Mexican dinner night at your home!
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How to Make Nummy Refried Beans
Your first step will be to rinse your raw pinto beans in a colander before placing in your medium-sized saucepan. Don’t skip this step! I have found clods of dirt hiding among the beans on occasion.
Your onion can be chopped rather large since you will be blending everything in a blender at the end. Add water, bring to a full rolling boil, then cover and turn off heat for one hour. Don’t skip this step either, or it affects the final texture of the beans.
After the hour is up, your beans should resemble this:
Beans and onions after resting for an hour.
IMPORTANT: Add more water now, just enough to cover beans.
Bring beans back to a boil, then simmer on low for 1 1/2 hours (90 minutes). CHECK BEANS AFTER AN HOUR to stir them and add a little water if little is left. You don’t want to risk your beans cooking in no water. I’ve inadvertently tried this, and the cleanup (and burning smell) is no fun!
Check beans again once or twice during this final half hour of cooking, making sure your water level remains just below the surface of the beans.
Your fully cooked beans should be golden brown:
Pinto beans after fully cooked
Now remove from heat and add your salt, butter, and cheese. Cover so the remaining heat in the pan makes the butter and cheese melt.
After 5 minutes in covered pan
Finished refried beans!
Nummy Refried Beans
Ingredients
- 8 oz (1 1/4 cups) raw pinto beans
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cups water
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 4 Tbsp (half stick) butter
- 4 oz (1 cup) cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Rinse raw pinto beans in a colander, then place in medium-sized saucepan.
- Add chopped onion.
- Cover with 2 cups water.
- Bring to a rolling boil, then cover beans and turn off heat for 1 hour.
- Return beans to a boil, then turn heat to low; simmer for 90 minutes, checking after 1 hour to make sure beans don’t run low on water and burn.
- When beans are tender, remove from heat and add salt, butter, and cheese to pan; cover and wait 5 minutes.
- Blend beans in blender, adding small amount of water if needed so they blend easily.]
Nutrition Facts
Nummy Refried Beans
Serves: 4
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 340 | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 16.5g | 24.6% | |
| Saturated Fat 10g | 50% | |
| Trans Fat 0g | ||
| Cholesterol 43g | 14.3% | |
| Sodium 165g | 6.9% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 34g | 11.3% | |
| Dietary Fiber 11g | 44% | |
| Sugars 0g | ||
| Protein 14g | ||
| Vitamin A 355IU | Vitamin C 1.1mg | |
| Calcium 23mg | Iron .8mg | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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