I am going to make a confession that might shock some people. Ready? Here I go. Up until a couple of weeks ago I had never made refried beans before. Yes, you read me right. I grew up in Mexico, the land of frijoles refritos. In my parents’ restaurant they made pounds every day and yet I had never made them myself. I always bought them canned at the store.
In the meantime some of my foodie friends were making refried beans so I had to get my act together and start making my own. After all, refried beans is something that we eat a lot here. We just love them. I’ve tried a couple of recipes, but this one is my favorite so far. These refried beans are not the healthiest ones, but they are not as greasy as some others I’ve eaten. The fat used comes from the Mexican chorizo, I don’t add any other kind of fat. So they are kinda healthy and delicious at the same time.
Ben’s refried beans
For this recipe you will need:
- 1/2 lb Mexican chorizo
- 1 small onion
- 4 cups cooked pinto beans drain
- Chicken broth (if needed)
- 2 epazote leaves, finely chopped(remember our stinky friend?)
- salt (if needed) and pepper
Preparation:
- Peel the chorizo casing (it is the thin skin of the chorizo tubes) and fry it in a hot cast iron skillet or heavy skillet until it browns.
- Add onions and sautee in the chorizo fat until translucent (actually they will turn red).
- You can either smash the beans with a potato smasher or with a blender, food processor or hand blender. Smashing them with any kind of machine will result in smoother refried beans. If you use a potato smasher add the potatoes to the skillet and smash them. If using a processor, blend them with a little bit of chicken broth before adding them to the skillet.
- Add epazote and adjust seasoning. Cook for 20 minutes over medium low heat stirring constantly.
This is such a simple recipe for frijoles refritos that I really don’t know why I neglected to make them for so long. This week’s question at the forum is about refried beans. Do you like them? Do you make them yourself? Do you have a recipe you’d like to share with us?
¡Buen provecho!
24 Replies
I should try this as I’ve never been a fan of refried beans I’ve had out & Matt likes them in burritos
Posted on September 8th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
For shame! Just kidding.. A little fat wont kill ya. They look tasty.
Posted on September 8th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
There are still a lot of Greek and Cypriot dishes I have not cooked yet. The dish looks delicious.
Posted on September 8th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Ben, I can’t believe you! You never made refried beans???? Man, that was a staple in my house for the longest time. Can’t eat without beans, rice and tortillas. I love beans with chorizo. Have you ever had a scrambled egg, bean and chorizo breakfast burrito? It’s fantastic.
Posted on September 8th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I don’t believe I’ve ever tried refried beans with chorizo…I can just imagine the taste!
Posted on September 8th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Finally
They look *delicious* — a little fat is ok, so I’ll give your recipe a try. I have a 2lb bag of beans sitting in my cupboard just begging me to make them into refried beans.
Thanks for the shout-out!
Posted on September 8th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Chorizo? In beans? Holy moly guacamole, give me a fried egg on top, and I’d be in heaven!
Posted on September 8th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Ben, this looks great! I made refried beans for a Tex-Mex layered salad & used lardons which also worked well, though my motivation was that it isn’t possible to buy refried beans!! (or at leat I couldn’t find any). I made the salad to feed a crowd when England was palying in the rugby world cup & it was a fab evening!
Posted on September 9th, 2008 at 1:30 am
Mmmm…beans…the magical fruit! We love refried beans. I’ve made them lots because after I’ve cooked a big pot of pinto beans, they go farther if they get mashed. The guys are usually good for a couple of bowls, then I mash the rest for burritos and tostadas. Huevos rancheros…or just plain ol’ refried beans with onions, cheese, and cilantro. Hahahaha — it’s not yet 5am and I’m craving beans. Crazy!
Posted on September 9th, 2008 at 6:19 am
Hey – my last comment didn’t get added!!
Anyway, was something along the lines of…
… YUM!
And that the health factor in the beans must surely outweigh any fat content from the chorizo
Posted on September 9th, 2008 at 7:47 am
You have received the BFF Gold Card Award for your great blog and are awaited here to pick it up. Thanks for being a regular dropper!
Posted on September 9th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Whoa, Ben, never-ever-ever?! I love refried beans. I pureed the beans once and it came out very smooth, but normally I heat it up in the skillet with butter or oil, season if needed, then mash with a potato masher.
Posted on September 9th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
This recipe looks awesome Ben! My old roommate used to make these and salsa all the time – it was great having a pot of beans on the stove almost constantly.
Posted on September 9th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I am guilty of only buying the cans too. Althought I am Irish in background, so all I am culturaly obligated to master is the potato.
This looks simple enough and very impressive. I wonder if I can get Mexican chorizo around here….
Posted on September 10th, 2008 at 11:22 am
I have never made them with chorizo before! But I “rediscovered” refried beans a while back when Roberto had oral surgery and was on a soft diet. Now we can’t get enough of them! They look great!
Posted on September 10th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
yo quiero ! humm me encanta la comida mejicana
Posted on September 16th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I am so coming over Ben! Love the looks of your refried beans and well you got me with the chorizo part
Posted on September 25th, 2008 at 3:08 am
[...] Link Not Rated! [...]
Posted on September 26th, 2008 at 3:02 am
People make their own refried beans? Who knew? I thought it was something that only ever came out of a can. But with chorizo? Hubba hubba I am there!
Posted on September 27th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
I don’t know if I can find Mexican Chorizo & epazote around here but you like to try this recipe because I always had canned refried beans also.
Posted on September 29th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I LOVE refried beans and yours look so amazing! love your site!
Posted on October 2nd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I believe you. That is how it is sometimes when we are so familiar with things.
I love refried beans.
Posted on October 5th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
[...] cheese. If you’re interested in the exact recipe of Ben’s Refried Beans you can see it here. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I [...]
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Look up the El Chavo blog for his bean tips. Subtle. Best beans I ever made. Also, his ranchera beans are like this recipe, and are delicious.
Posted on November 16th, 2009 at 7:26 am
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