You won’t find refried beans that are smokier and more full of flavor than these. They are the most delicious refried black beans I have ever made. Ok, maybe they are the only refried beans I have made from scratch. Usually making refried beans for me involves doctoring up a can of refried beans. But there’s no comparison between canned beans and homemade beans. Everything is better about homemade refried beans- the flavor, the texture, the smell.
This recipe is from one of the Pastry Queen cookbooks. I forget which one but I think it’s Pastry Queen Parties: Entertaining Friends and Family, Texas Style
. The author of The Pastry Queen Cookbooks, Rebecca Rather, lives in Texas and she knows her Tex-Mex cooking.
Interestingly, she insists there is no need to soak the beans overnight which is a big plus for me. The reason I hardly ever cook with dried beans is because I forget to soak them the night before. I can’t tell you how many times my dinner plans have changed last minute because, darn it, I forgot to soak the beans.
Instead of soaking the beans, you just cook them a little longer, about 2 1/2 hours and they are perfectly tender. The beans simmer away with bacon, onion, celery, jalapenos, and garlic. And the flavor that develops is amazing. Everything including the bacon gets pureed with the beans which really distributes the flavors wonderfully. The end result is fabulously smoky. Eight slices of bacon smokey. 🙂
Serve Refried Black Beans with Mexican Rice to round out a Mexican dinner. Or use them as a filling for burritos, tacos, or even omelets.
Refried Black Beans make and excellent side for a chimichanga or tacos!
Refried Black Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried black beans
- 8 slices bacon,, chopped
- 1 large yellow onion,, diced
- 1 stalk celery,, diced
- 2 jalapeno peppers,, stemmed, seeded and diced
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic,, about 6 cloves
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Rinse beans in a colander and get rid of any broken beans and debris. Set aside.
- Place a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook bacon for about 10 minutes.
- Lower heat to medium and add onion, celery, jalapenos, and garlic. Cook until onion softens, about 3 minutes.
- Add beans, chicken broth, and salt. Bring to a boil. Decrease heat and simmer uncovered until most of the broth has been absorbed and beans are tender, about 2 1/2 hours.
- Working in batches if necessary, place mixture in a food processor and process until smooth.
- Pour the vegetable oil into the same Dutch oven. No need to wash it. Heat over medium-high and add bean mixture. Cook until beans are hot, stirring frequently.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’ve never tried refried black beans but I know it must be great based on the pictures! Thanks Christin!
Oh my gosh, my husband would go crazy over these refried black beans! I had no idea how easy it was to make…definitely a must make! 🙂
They look delicious Christin, refried beans are one of my favorites! 🙂
Michael
I agree about not having to soak black beans over night. Your refried beans would go very well the the Mexican meatloaf I’m making later in the week.
I love refried beans! I also like that you don’t have to soak the beans overnight! Always nice to eliminate extra steps 🙂
I have never attempted to make refried beans at home – you make it seem so easy! And these look way way better than any store bought/canned ones! Thanks so much for sharing
I love refried beans but have never tried making them from scratch. I forget to soak dried beans over night a lot too so love that this recipe doesn’t require you to soak them beforehand 🙂 Great recipe Christin, thanks for sharing 🙂
I have never made refried bean…and embarrassed to confess that only used the ones in the can…I love the ingredients in this refried beans…great side dish Christin!
Thanks for the recipe and hope you are having a wonderful week 😀
These look delicious! I love refried beans.
I love, love, love refried black beans – soooo versatile! Just gimme some jalapenos, cheese, and tortilla chips, and I’m good to go! 😀
Well, and maybe a beer… 😛