Refried Beans

[salonghorn-70]

I have to admit that I don't make them from scratch. I buy the canned variety. Please be gentle with your responses.

I know many of you probably do the same thing. What is your favorite brand? I usually get Gebhardts with jalapenos. I also like some of the Mexican brands that HEB carries.

 

[LITNIN HORN]

I use Trappey's jalapeno pinto beans. Drain about half the liquid; put in pan and mash; heat and serve. Sometimes I will add a few onions with a fresh jalapeno and a small amount of cheese. To me this is better than most restaurant refrieds.

 

[THEU]

I confess to buying whatever is cheapest at HEB. I do put in a small can of chopped green chiles, or some of the HEB specialty green chile and tomatillo sauce.... plus a small amount of white cheese... mmmm

Also, here is one of the best easy recipes I eat. 1 can refried beans, 1 lb. ground seasoned beef, one can Rotel... some cheese... This stuff is HEAVY, and tastes great. It is great for a fast easy meal that tastes good and really fills you up. You can of course add whatever from there... japs, cilantro, guac, etc....

 

[Ag with kids]

I usually buy canned. For some weird reason, I like the Taco Bell brand...I know, I know, everything else they sell sucks, but for some reason I like them...AND they're the cheapest I can buy at the Walmart...

I then add some chili powder and some salsa...If I'm just making it for me, it's Mrs. Renfro's Habanero Salsa, if not, then whatever else we have that's wimpy enough for mi familia....

 

[hornian]

If you've got a Bill Miller's barbecue near you, go buy their pinto beans.

Mash them up with a fork in the skillet and cook them until the "juice" is cooked out.

Makes outstanding "homemade" refried beans.

 

[SAChick]

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[salonghorn-70]

Those of you who are mashing up pinto beans from various sources, are you then cooking the mashed beans with oil, shortening. lard?

 

[SAChick]

Fry some bacon and throw the pinto beans in there. The beans from Bill Miller are already seasoned so sometimes you don't have to add anything. You could also fry some bacon and add tomatoes, onion, jalapenos, cilantro and then throw the beans in.

 

[OrngNugz]

Canned Beans =

 

[chango]

gotta be lard.

 

[LovinTheAtx]

Use bacon grease.

I usually fry up some bacon first. Then disgard the bacon and add the can of refried beans if that is all you have to the grease. The grease gives it great flavor.

As mentioned, try the Bill Miller's pinto beans. I'm lucky enough to live close to one and do this usually when I make my own refried beans.

 

[GHoward]

I use goya, or rosarita. I like black beans.

 

[Alpine]

No lard, I use manteca.

 

[hornian]

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[utexas_61]

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[El Sapo]

Heh heh heh

 

[Sixth Street]

Put 3 pieces of bacon in a saucepan over low heat and render the fat. Remove the bacon. Add 2 cups of washed pinto beans with the stones and dirt clods removed. Toss them in the bacon fat over low heat for about 5 minutes. Add enough water to cover the beans by an inch or two and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat low enough so that the water is simmering and partially cover. Simmer the beans for 3 hours checking every 30 minutes or so to stir and add more water. Check the beans for tenderness. If they're still too firm continuing cooking for another hour or so. If they're tender enough to eat put the bacon back in with one clove of garlic (whole not minced) and salt to taste. Uncover the beans and let the water reduce to your desired consistency. Boom...you've got a perfect pot of beans. Mash them for refried using the cooking liquid to thin it out to the desired consistency. No lard, oil, or grease is necessary. The recipe can easily be doubled, quadrupled, or whatever.

 

[Sooner-Tuf]

I thought refried beans was just a socially acceptable way of eating a bowl of lard at the table. If you have access to some lard rendered at home you will be happier.

 

[OrngNugz]

Say No to Lard! Say No canned beans!

If you make beans from scratch you can use some of the water instead of lard. No lard or bacon or manteca needed. Trust me they are good this way, I eat them almost every day. Why make things so complicated, dont add all that crap like sour cream or jack cheese. Dont use canned anything and you will find out how good simple food can be.

 

[mcmike1492]

I was at Whole Foods buying some turbinado the other day and stumbled across some bulk "dried refried beans." I had to buy some.

I filled up a plastic bag and made some when I got home. Add some to hot water and let them sit for five minutes. They were surprisingly good.

 

[TRRW#31]

OK. Using a small bag of pinto beans. First sort and wash your pinto beans. Soak overnight if possible. If not they will just need to cook longer. Put in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer. Add a quarter of a diced onion, two garlic cloves minced, salt, pepper, comino (cummin), and a quarter of a pack of bacon (small dice). Once your beans are done. Remove them from the heat. In a separate skillet, use another quarter pack of the bacon and render the fat. Once everything is done, remove the bacon and use it for something else. Ladel the beans into the skillet, be careful of splattering the grease. Smash the bean and check the consistency. If the are dry just add a little of the remaining liquid from the beans, and if they are too moist just let them cook a little longer. Then just check the seasonings, and enjoy.

 

[Mageeman]

Hill Country Fare No Fat Refried Beans (no lard) or HCF Refried Black Beans. The black beans are amazing and are one of my favorite foods.

 

[Beau Vine]

"I like refried beans. That's why I wanna try fried beans, because maybe they're just as good and we're just wasting time."