This refried beans recipe is incredibly easy to prepare and so delicious! Flavoured with lots of seasonings (like chili, chipotle chili pepper, cumin and oregano) and green chiles, homemade refried beans make for such a hearty, satisfying meal.

Close-up of homemade refried beans in a dish garnished with cilantro.

Remember those pinto bean fritters I shared a little while ago?

Well, today I have another easy pinto bean recipe that is a favourite in our home: homemade refried beans!

Ditch the canned stuff and make your own homemade refried beans (super quickly, may I add).

Once you do, there’s no going back. You’ll always want to have a batch of these on hand because they’re so versatile and so tasty.

Hubby even sneaks into the fridge and grabs a spoonful right out of the bowl and enjoys as is!

Why We Love This Refried Beans Recipe

It’s pretty inexpensive to make.
Refried beans can be customized to taste with optional add-ins.
Refried beans can be enjoyed as is or in other recipes.
It tastes delicious!

How To Make This Recipe

Full details on how to make refried beans are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:

Cook your minced onion in some olive oil and butter until softened.
Add minced garlic and give that a little cook.
Stir in cooked pinto beans and seasonings. Cook for a minute or so to get those spices going.
Pour in broth and green chiles. Cook until everything is heated through.
Turn off heat, then add butter and fresh lime juice.
Mash the beans until you’ve reached the consistency that you enjoy best, then transfer to a serving dish.

Tip: If you want a creamier consistency, or feel like the beans are dry, you can add a little hot water, stirring/mashing in.

What Type of Bean Should I Use?

Pinto beans are the bean of choice for refried beans.

I used dried pinto beans and prepared/cooked them according to package instructions before using in this recipe. Alternatively, you can use canned pinto beans (just rinse and drain before use).

Cooked pinto beans in a clear glass bowl.

More Flavour Add-Ins

Customize your refried beans to how you like them! Some delicious add-in options are:

Diced bell pepper
Minced jalapeno pepper
Shredded cheese for yummy cheesy refried beans (talk about good!)
Sliced green onion
Chopped cilantro

Tight close-up of refried beans with some cilantro on top.

What Are Refried Beans Used For?

Burrito bowls
Tacos
Burritos
Wraps
Quesadillas
Tostadas
Nachos
Layered dip
Sandwich (use as a spread)
Simply use as a dip as is with your fave tortilla chips
For breakfast with eggs and toast

Stay tuned for an upcoming recipe using refried beans!

Refried beans in a dish garnished with cilantro, next to lime, cilantro and beans.

Tips for Making This Recipe

I used dried pinto beans (which I cooked before using in this recipe). There was no salt added to them until they were used to make the refried beans. If you use canned pinto beans, you may want to reduce the salt added. Plus, everyone has a different preference for seasoning. Salt to taste.
Change up the spices to how you like them! Like more cumin? Add more! Prefer a little less? Reduce it.

Serving spoon dunked into some refried beans.

If you make this easy refried beans recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!

Homemade refried beans in a dish with a large spoon scooping some up.

Refried Beans Recipe

Dawn | Girl Heart Food

Print Recipe Save Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Servings 8 servings (½ cup), approximately

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 yellow onion, peeled and minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups cooked (or canned) pinto beans, drained and rinsed (about 2 (19-ounce) cans)
1.5 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground chipotle chili pepper, or smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin, or to taste
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste (see "Notes" below)
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
⅔ cup low sodium vegetable broth
1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chiles
1 tablespoon lime juice, from about ½ of a lime

Instructions

Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a 12-inch frying pan over medium heat.
Once butter has melted, add minced onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Add cooked (or drained and rinsed canned) pinto beans, chili powder, chipotle chili pepper, cumin, oregano, salt (see "Notes" below) and black pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute or so to get those spices going.
Add vegetable broth and chopped green chilies, stirring to combine everything. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes to heat through.
Turn off heat and add remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and juice of one lime. Mash until you've reached your desired consistency.
Note: If you want the refried beans creamier, or feel that they are dry, mix in a little hot water (about 3 tablespoons at a time) until you've reached the consistency you like best.
Once desired consistency has been reached, serve and enjoy. Refried beans are great in burrito bowls, tacos, quesadillas and more. Yields about 4 cups of refried beans.
Note: Properly store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within 3 to 4 days. Reheat before serving.

Notes

I used dried pinto beans (which I cooked before using in this recipe). There was no salt added to them until they were used to make the refried beans. If you use canned pinto beans, you may want to reduce the salt added. Plus, everyone has a different preference for seasoning. Salt to taste.
You can reheat refried beans in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth (to loosen or thin them). The amount of liquid added may vary, depending on the quantity of refried beans you are reheating and the consistency you like best. Cook until they’re heated through.

A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

Keyword homemade refried beans, pinto bean recipe

Tried this recipe?

If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!