Refried Beans

I recently took on the challenge of trying to make tortillas and refried beans for the first time ever, and I was pretty intimidated by the whole process- I don’t know why. I received a decent amount of tips and tricks from all of you which was VERY helpful! Someone that I know, shoutout to Jenny, told me to use bacon fat, which sounds amazing but I already had lard- so I’ll go the bacon fat route next time.

They turned out super creamy and delicious and are easier than I anticipated. Enjoy!

Great to eat with this Tortilla Recipe and this Ernesto’s Carnitas Recipe!

Refried Beans

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Yield: 6-8

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Ingredients

• 2 lbs dried pinto beans, soaked overnight
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 2 jalapeños, whole
• 1 large onion, halved
• 6–8 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
• 5 tablespoons lard

Instructions

Cooking the Beans

1. Before soaking, spread the beans out on a baking sheet and quickly check for any discolored, shriveled, or broken beans, as well as any small stones or debris — discard those.
2. After soaking overnight, drain and rinse the beans before cooking for the cleanest flavor and texture.
3. Add rinsed, soaked beans to a large pot and cover with fresh water by 2–3 inches. Add 1 tablespoon salt.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 1½–2 hours, or until soft and creamy inside. Add more water as needed to keep the beans submerged.

Charing the Vegetables

1. While the beans cook, heat a dry cast iron skillet, grill pan, or use your oven’s broiler.
2. Add the onion halves (cut side down) and whole jalapeños.
3. Char or broil until blackened and softened, turning occasionally.
4. Once cool, roughly chop the onion and jalapeños (remove seeds for less heat).

Frying the Beans

1. In a large skillet, heat 5 tablespoons lard over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped charred onion, jalapeños, and garlic cloves. Sauté until fragrant and golden, about 3–4 minutes.
3. Add a few cups of cooked beans along with a splash of their cooking liquid.
4. Mash with a potato masher or back of a spoon, adding more liquid as needed for a creamy consistency.
5. Stir in salt to taste & enjoy!

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