the BEST homemade Refried Beans {insta or crockpot!}

Nothing compares to authentic, homemade REFRIED BEANS with just the right amount of kick and the perfect texture… Whatever pot you choose, either the insa or the crock- just set and forget it. And when you return, you will be pleasantly surprised.

If anyone has ever talked you into purchasing a bag of DRY hard beans…now is the time to thank them.

I mean, I guess it depends what size they talked you into buying. If it was a cute, small 2 lb bag then, yes thank them! But if it was the costco lady pressuring you into the 15 lb bag like I bought when I cooked for girl’s camp?!–Then you need to REALLY get comfortable with this recipe because Refried Beans will be your neighbor gift for the next 5 holidays.

Ok, so lets start chiseling down on that bag of beans…and cup by cup you’ll make the healthy easy refried beans tho compliment any mexican meal slash snacking craving!

And with the cleanest, purest ingredients added BY you!

INGREDIENTS

• dry pinto beans
• onion (any variety)
• garlic
• salt
• pepper
• pablano pepper
• cumin

*I have made this recipe again and again! And have honed down on the seasonings that work best for us!

If a good spice is what you are craving however, then adjust the amount of pepper to your liking. You spicy go getters may want to up your pepper anty on this one.

In fact, here’s a little ‘pepper’ scale if you need a little help deciding what kind of heat you can handle.

As you can see from the said chart….the PABLANO is slightly less spicy than the jalpeno. Hence why i chose it and it has worked best for us. I think it provides juuuussst the right amount of kick without overpowering the flavor.

Now to the POT of your choosing…both methods are pretty similar. Easy. Just depends on your tool of choice.

the INSTAPOT:

1. Select saute mode on the instant pot. Once the front label reads “hot” add olive oil and onion and saute 3 minutes. 

2. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds longer. Select “cancel” to turn saute setting off.

3. Pour in broth, water and pinto beans. Season with salt and pepper.Add cumin and deseeded pablano pepper.

4. Cover instant pot, make sure valve is set to “sealing” position. Select “manual” mode and adjust time to 50 minutes.

5. Once time is up, let pressure come down naturally for 15 minutes then open the valve to release any remaining pressure.

6. Set a large bowl in the sink then set a colander over it. Carefully pour beans into colander (be careful of steam!). Reserve broth.

7. Use an immersion blender or potato masher to mash beans to desired texture, while adding in reserved broth about 1/4 cup at a time to reach desired consistency.

8. Stir in shredded mexican blend cheese if desired and let melt.

for the CROCK way

1. Add all ingredients together in the pot! Set on high for 8 hours and walk away. Once done, you may need to add more liquid depending on your desired consistency.
2. Use your immersion blender or blendtec.

This recipe makes quite a few refried beans…so I always freeze some for later! Enjoy!Print

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THE BEST HOMEMADE REFRIED BEANS {INSTAPOT OR CROCKPOT!}

these perfectly spiced homemade refried beans… made easily and quickly in either the insta or crock pot will have you never buying the canned kind again!

• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 1 hr – 8 hours
• Total Time: 47 minute
• Yield: 15 servings 1x
• Category: side dish
• Method:crockpot/instapot
• Cuisine: mexican
• Diet: Vegetarian

SCALE1x2x3x

INGREDIENTS

3 cups dry beans

9 cups water

1/2 onion, largely diced

2 Tablespoons minced garlic

5 tsp salt

1 3/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

1/8 tsp ground cumin

1/4 poblano pepper (deseeded)

INSTRUCTIONS

INSTAPOT: 

1. Select saute mode. Once front label reads “hot”, add a splash of olive oil and onions and garlic. Saute for 3 min, then select ‘cancel’ to turn sauteing off.                                                                                                                  

2. Pour in water, pinto beans and remaining spices.                                              

3. Cover instapot, make sure valve is set to ‘scaling’ position. Select ‘manual’ mode and set timer for 50 min.                                                                                  

4. Once time is up, let pressure release naturally for 10-15 min before opening the valve.                                                                                                        

5. Strain the beans…KEEP THE BROTH to add in for liquid. you will need it. Blend with immersion blender and add in as much liquid as needed.                                                                                      

6. Mix in cheese if desired, top with cilantro.

CROCKPOT:

1.  Add all ingredients to crockpot. Set on high for 8 ish hours.                           

2. May need to add more water.                                                                                 

  3. Blend with immersion blender and add cheese if desired. Top with cilantro.

NOTES

* Can freeze for up to 6 months! 

Keywords: mexican, refried beans, vegetarian, vegan, cinco de mayo

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @thegoldenbeets on Instagram and hashtag it #thegoldenbeets

Not only are homemade refried beans HEALTHIER for you because you choose the ingredients–but they are also a fraction of the cost!

So enjoy and go get yourself a huge bag of beans!