Vegetarian Refried Beans Recipe

refried beans in a black bowl with pinto beans and cilantro on top

Learn how to make refried beans at home! Ready in under 30 minutes, this vegetarian refried beans recipe is the best! Garlicky, smoky, and savory, these homemade refried beans are going to become a mealtime staple in your home.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword Refried beans

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 217kcal

Author Katie Trant

Ingredients

3 Tablespoons olive oil or other neutral oil
½ small yellow onion finely minced (about ½ cup minced onion)
3 cloves garlic crushed
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano preferably Mexican oregano
½ teaspoon ground chilli powder
4 14- ounce cans pinto beans drained and rinsed (or 1 pound dried pinto beans, cooked)
1 cup vegetable broth
Salt to taste
1 - 2 Tablespoons lemon juice optional

Instructions

Heat the oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat.
3 Tablespoons olive oil
Add the onion and sauté, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened and just starting to turn brown.
½ small yellow onion
Add the garlic, and sauté for 1-2 minutes more.
3 cloves garlic
Add the smoked paprika, oregano, and chilli powder, and stir to combine.
1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon ground chilli powder
Add the pinto beans, and sauté together with the aromatics for about 2 minutes.
4 14- ounce cans pinto beans
Add the vegetable broth and stir the mixture together well. Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
1 cup vegetable broth
Remove from the heat and use a potato masher to mash the beans. Alternatively you can transfer the mixture to a food processor or blender if you prefer very smooth refried beans.
Stir in the lemon juice, taste, and season with salt as needed.
Salt to taste, 1 - 2 Tablespoons lemon juice

Notes

Nutrition values are an estimate only
If the beans are runnier than you prefer, you can continue to cook them until the liquid cooks off. Bear in mind that they will continue to thicken as they cool.
If your refried beans are too thick, you can add a bit more vegetable broth, one tablespoon at a time, until they reach the desired consistency.

Nutrition