Chef John’s Refried Beans

May 22, 2023May 22, 20230 2
Chef John's Refried Beans recipe
in Mexican

Prep

8 hr 15 min

Cook

3 hr 30 min

Ready In

11 hr 45 min

Level

Easy

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

Beans :
1 pound dry pinto beans , soaked overnight
4 whole garlic cloves , peeled
1/2 teaspoon dried epazote
9 cups cold water
Refried Beans :
1/2 cup lard
1 1/2 cups diced onions
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons minced serrano chili pepper
1 teaspoon ground dried chipotle pepper

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
6
Calories
406
Sugar
1g
Fat
26g
Refried Beans are a traditional element of Mexican cuisine that originated from the practice of cooking leftover beans with lard in a skillet. The word 'refried' is actually a mistranslation of 'frijoles refritos' which means 'well-fried beans'. Chef John's Refried Beans have a perfect balance of creamy texture and smoky and spicy flavor, obtained by slow-cooking pinto beans with garlic and epazote and then mashing them with onions and chili peppers in a skillet. The beans are loaded with protein, fiber, and antioxidants that promote health and well-being. You can serve them with tortilla chips, tacos, or as a side dish with your favorite meat or vegetable.

Instructions

1.Rinse and drain soaked pinto beans and boil in a pot with garlic, epazote, and water until very tender, about 2 to 3 hours, adding more water as needed.
2.Reserve about 1/2 cup of the bean broth and drain the beans.
3.Heat lard in a skillet over medium heat and add onions and salt. Saute for about 5 minutes until the onions turn translucent.
4.Add the serrano pepper and ground chipotle pepper to the skillet.
5.Add the beans along with the reserved bean broth, mashing with a potato masher or fork until desired consistency.
6.Cook for about 10 minutes on medium heat, stirring frequently, until the refried beans have reached your preferred consistency.

PROS

The creamy texture and the smoky and spicy flavor make Chef John’s Refried Beans a perfect side dish for any Mexican or Tex-Mex meal.

The recipe is easy to follow and uses simple ingredients.

CONS

The recipe calls for a larger quantity of lard which makes it high in calories and fat content.

Eating in moderation is recommended.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Refried beans are rich in protein and fiber which makes them perfect for maintaining heart health, digestion, and weight management.
Moreover, pinto beans contain a good amount of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help prevent chronic diseases and strengthen the immune system.

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