Vegan Refried Beans recipe that is quick and easy to pull together in under 20 minutes. All you need is 7 simple ingredients.
(Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Plant-Based)
I’m all for recipes of convenience. Easy, simple ingredients pulling together something delicious. This Vegan Refried Beans recipe fits the bill.
Now if you want to continue to eat canned refried beans go ahead – just be sure to look for cans that are labeled vegetarian.
I’ve found that sometimes it’s a hit or miss to find vegetarian/vegan refried beans in the grocery store so we thought we’d share what we make when we’ve got cravings for it.
What can you use refried beans for?
So MANY OPTIONS. Refried beans are a staple in our household. We make bean nachos on the regular, bean enchiladas, oven-baked bean tacos, enchilada rice casserole.
You can even add it to your vegan burrito bowls. I have been guilty to simply adding some hot sauce and eating it by itself too. #sorrynotsorry
Seriously we love Mexican-inspired dishes in this household. Especially since moving to a country where it’s not as popular we’ve had to get creative and find many ways of making it ourselves.
All you need are just 7 simple ingredients that you see above. It really is that simple to pull together in just about 20minutes.
Are refried beans vegan and vegetarian?
Not all refried beans are created the same. Many traditional refried beans are made with lard. Which is not a vegetarian or vegan safe ingredient.
If you are going to eat canned beans be sure to look for ‘vegetarian’ refried beans as they are made with plant-based oils instead of the lard.
And honestly… you can’t tell the difference between a vegetarian and traditional can of refried beans. More reasons to just make it plant-based.
How to Make Refried Beans
Making your own refried beans is seriously way simpler than you would think. It’s similar to taco sauce or enchilada sauce. Most of us just grew up on taco sauce in a jar not ever really thinking about what is in it and since your parents bought it so you do too.
We are breaking the cycle my friends using wholesome plant-based ingredients. Starting with these refried beans.
All you need are: Oil, Pinto Beans, Garlic, Onion Powder, Ground Cumin, Chili Powder, Lime Juice and Vegetable Stock.
Then you simply heat and mash.
Now I understand it may not be as quick as opening a jar.. but there is a beautiful feeling when you know exactly what is going into your meals and your body. Am I right?
Can you use black beans instead?
I’ve gotten this question a few times. You actually can make refried black beans. Simply swap the pinto beans for black beans and continue on with the recipe. It’s that simple.
So there you go guys. Whether you are just trying to eat a little bit more ‘back to the basics’ or you simply have run out of a can of refried beans and don’t want to go to the store (been there) this Vegetarian safe and Vegan Refried Beans recipe has got you covered.
3 cloves of garlic, minced (or 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder)
1/2 Tablespoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 of lime juiced + more to taste
1/2 cup (125ml) vegetable stock
Pinch of salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan heal olive oil over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic if you are using fresh garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes. Add in other dry spices and cook for 30 seconds to a minute.
2. Add beans, lime juice, and vegetable stock. Cook on for 5minutes, or until everything is hot.
3. Using a potato masher or a fork, mash the beans until you've reached your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to your desired tastes.
4. Serve immediately warm or allow to cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to a week.
Refried beans are not necessarily vegan as they are often made with lard. You can make them vegan by cooking aromatics in a bit of oil then adding beans, spices and water or vegetable broth and simmering until very tender.
If you're wondering what is the secret ingredient for restaurant-quality refried beans, the answer is fat. Restaurant-made refried beans honor traditional Mexican culinary practices by adding a hearty helping of lard or bacon fat drippings to their recipe.
Cream cheese is the not-so-secret weapon for making refried beans a yummy side dish to accompany rice, or a versatile taco or nacho topping. The dairy in cream cheese not only thickens refried beans to a creamier consistency — cream is in the name — but it also incorporates the rich, silky flavor of dairy.
Refried beans are a good source of protein, a vital macronutrient that forms the building blocks of your body's organs and tissues. This food also provides a large serving of dietary fiber, a nondigestible carbohydrate that helps regulate blood sugar and reduces appetite.
Lard – Here's where the secret ingredient comes in. Use lard to add a rich, savory thickness to the beans, or, use bacon fat like I do. Leftover bacon fat is extremely rich in salty, savory goodness, and it adds an entirely new depth of flavor to these Mexican refried beans — I can't recommend it enough!
Final Thoughts. Refried beans are a nutrient rich food! They provide plenty of fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. People who are at higher risk for heart disease may want to watch for the saturated fat content, but the average person can fit them into an overall healthy diet with minimal problem.
If you're adding refried beans to your regular diet, you may gain weight because you'll be consuming more calories. For reference, 1 cup (260 grams) of regular pinto beans contains 220 calories and no fat, whereas the same amount of refried beans packs 234 calories and 5 grams of fat ( 23 ).
Spices-cumin, chili powder, and oregano are classic Mexican spices and really spice up these beans! Lime juice-a splash of fresh lime juice brightens up the beans! Cilantro-optional, but SO good!
I like to sprinkle in some taco seasoning, but you could add whatever spices you like — garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder are all good calls. Then, you mash the beans up directly in the pan and add just a little bit of vinegar at the end to really make the beans sing.
You can amp up the spice by adding more hot sauce, or tone it down by adding less — whatever your family prefers! Dice onion and add to the refried beans for more flavor. Add a dash of cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt. Garnish with cilantro to improve refried beans taste.
You'll see in the recipe below that I add milk, not water, to my refried beans. It's just enough to give them a creamier texture and a richer flavor. If you prefer non-dairy, just swap out the milk for water or even chicken or vegetable broth.
Control the consistency of your beans by cooking them low and slow. If you put the heat too high, your beans will dry out faster. Your refried beans will continue to thicken as they sit, so taking them off the heat when they are still a little runny is totally fine!
And if you're wondering: aren't all refried beans vegan? Then the answer is no. They are not. They commonly contain lard, which is animal based fat, so they're not even vegetarian.
Along with of course the beans and water, lard is a commonly added ingredient to canned refried beans (and the dish at Mexican restaurants), to add fatty flavor and texture. A quick scan of the ingredient list will tell you if the can you've picked up is made with lard or is the fat-free vegetarian variety.
We blend organic pinto beans with traditional spices and a hint of onion and garlic for this classic Mexican dish. Wrap these up in your favorite burrito or enjoy them on the side. Gluten free/dairy free/lactose free/soy free/corn free/tree nut free/vegan/kosher/plant based (Light in Sodium also available.)
Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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(13 votes, average: 4.15 out of 5)
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