The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
This Restaurant Style Refried Beans recipe is made in a crockpot, and you don’t need to soak the beans! As a result, the recipe is easy, and the beans come out creamy.
This recipe serves 12 and costs $2.13 to make. That’s just 18¢ per serving!
For more homemade bean recipes, try my Crock Pot Green Chile Pinto Beans Recipe, Instant Pot Refried Beans, and Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans Recipe.
Restaurant Style Refried Beans
Warning: Once you make my Restaurant Style Refried Beans Recipe, you’ll never go back to canned beans because this is an easy, delicious Mexican refried beans recipe!
I have been tinkering with this easy refried beans recipe for a couple of months. I am happy to report that I’ve SO nailed it!
They’re straightforward to make and so tasty. Not to mention these beans cost a fraction of the cost of canned refried beans.
And who knew refried beans and healthy belong in the same sentence?! Because they definitely could with this recipe!
I always have a few, or ten pounds, of pinto beans in my pantry (thanks, Costco!). My kids love these homemade refried beans, and I mean LOVE! They shovel them in by the spoonful.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
Per Serving Cost: $0.18
Recipe Cost: $2.13
- 3 cups dried pinto beans – $1.11
- 7 cups water – $0.00
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes – $0.16
- 1 medium white onion – $0.70
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder – $0.06
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin – $0.09
- salt and pepper to taste – $0.01
NOTE: I calculate the recipe prices by using name-brand grocery prices on grocery store websites.
How To Make Crockpot Refried Beans
- First, place all of your ingredients, minus the salt and pepper, into your slow cooker.
- Next, cook the beans on high for 9 hours. Yes, 9 hours, please don’t cook them for less than that!
- Finally, using an immersion blender, puree the beans until smooth. Add water as needed and season with salt and pepper to taste. If you’re feeling decadent, add up to a stick of butter to the beans!
***For complete recipe instructions see the recipe card below!
Recipe Variations
- *** If you use Chicken broth instead of the chicken bouillon granules, you will need 6 cups of broth and 1 cup of water!
- To make this recipe, you’ll need an immersion blender. You can use a standard blender and run small batches through it, but it will take a while. (Also, if you go this route, you’ll need to hold the lid to the blender on SUPER tight!) The immersion blender that I use will run you about $40. I use it all the time, especially for soups!
- When rinsing the beans, throw out any that float or are discolored. Also, keep an eye out for small stones, especially if you buy cheaper pinto beans.
Serving & Storage Tips
SERVE: You can keep these out for about two hours before they need to be refrigerated.
STORE: Cover and store the beans in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
FREEZE: You can freeze these beans in Ziploc bags in small batches. They will keep in the freezer for up to 4 months.
THAW: Thaw the frozen packets of beans overnight in the refrigerator.
REHEAT: Heat the beans in a saucepan over medium heat until heated through. You may need to loosen the beans with a couple of tablespoons of water when reheating them.
Refried Beans Rave reviews from readers:
“Made this last night. Truly amazing and so easy!! Walking in the door after work, the house smelled yummy. Thank you so much!”
“Classic recipe I love refried beans! Can’t wait to make this again it was great”
“This recipe is as good as it gets for refried pinto beans; period (for what its worth, I am likely a refried pinto bean addict). Easy, inexpensive, reasonably “healthy”, and always nails.”
Recipe FAQ’s
Many popular refried bean recipes contain lard. Using lard in the recipe makes the beans not vegetarian. However, my recipe does not call for lard. This method also helps to make the recipe a little more healthy than other refried bean recipes.
To make them vegan, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
I love them on a tortilla or with some tortilla chips. Add some salsa with the chips and tortillas, and you’re golden!
This Mexican Rice also goes great with the beans. You could even serve the beans alongside this Mexican Lasagna, and you’d have such a great meal.
In America, we might first think refried beans mean the beans have been fried twice. However, the word refried comes from the Spanish name frijoles refritos. The translation for this phrase means well fried. Therefore, they are not cooked twice but rather cooked well until soft enough to mash into the creamy beans that we all love.
Most restaurants do use lard in their refried beans. That is one reason I prefer to make them at home. I can get the same great taste from the seasonings without adding in the extra fat.
The two most popular types of beans found in Mexican restaurants are pinto and black beans. Pinto beans are, of course, used to make refried beans, while black beans are served as a side dish in soups, salsas, or enchiladas. I have an excellent recipe for Restaurant-Style Black Bean Soup that is delicious!
More Mexican recipes:
- Beef Enchiladas
- Best Guacamole
- Easy Mexican Rice
- Best Mexican Sweet Corn Cake
- Carne Asada Street Tacos
- Cheesy Green Chile Cornbread
- Easy Stovetop Chicken Fajitas
- Mexican Spinach Dip
- Mexican Street Corn Flatbread Pizza
- New Mexico Style Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
- One Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls
- Pantry Chicken Taco Soup
- Picadillo Tacos
Restaurant Style Refried Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups dried pinto beans rinsed and picked over
- 7 cups water
- 2 Tablespoons chicken bouillon granules (or 2 bouillon cubes)
- 1 medium white onion diced (or 1 Tablespoon onion powder)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- salt and pepper to taste
GARNISHES:
- Shredded Mexican cheese blend optional
- unsalted butter optional
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients, except for the salt and pepper to the crock-pot.
- Cook on high for 9 hours. At this point, the beans will be tender and a bunch of them will have popped open.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the beans until smooth.
- Add more water as needed, or if you're feeling decadent, add up to 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter to make creamy, out-of-this-world beans.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with shredded Mexican cheese (optional).
Video
Notes
- This recipe makes about 6 cups of beans.
- Some readers have not cooked the beans for the full hours and they end up with watery beans. You must cook the beans for the entire 9 hours, I cannot express the importance of this enough!
Nutrition
This post first appeared on FFF on August 15, 2015. I have since updated the pictures and added a recipe video.
Susie says
After thawing, are they still good to use cold in a Mexican layer dip?
Jillian says
Yes, they should work great in a Mexican layer dip.
Chanda says
Do I need to soak the beans overnight before cooking them?
Jillian says
No, no need to soak the beans.
Pat says
Is 1 lb. package (16 oz.) of dry pinto beans equal to 3 cups?
Jillian says
There’s a little bit more than 3 cups.
Liz says
I’m excited to make this. When making fresh, how long do you recommend leaving it in the refrigerator? I would like to make this ahead of time for a taco bar night and trying to determine how far in advance I can make it. Thanks!
Jillian says
Hi Liz, these will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Debbie says
Could this recipe be halved and still work?
Jillian says
Yes, this recipe can absolutely be halved.
stella says
excellent this recipe, really inviting
Beth Sachs says
These refried beans were delicious with Mexican lasagna!
Bethy says
Ok now I want your recipe for Mexican lasagna!
Anne Miller says
My family loves refried beans – I don’t – at least until I tried these! They are so delicious! I did have better luck with 6.5 cups of water vs. 7 and used 2 cups of diced onions. Don’t be afraid to add salt at the end – makes all the difference, really! We use 1 tsp salt in ours. Freezes great, makes a ton, is easy and super cheap! Thanks!
Carol says
Just discovered your recipes and website. I love how simple and informative and straight to the point you are! Will definitely be perusing more of your food ideas!
Jillian says
I’m so glad. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
Linda says
Better with bacon drippings. Your welcome!
Jillian says
Yum, can’t wait to try!
Mary Ann says
I have tried so many refried bean recipes and they just fall flat. These are absolutely delicious! I am so happy to have this recipe – definitely a keeper! Thanks so much.
Jillian says
I’m so glad you loved the recipe; it’s one of my favorites! Thanks for stopping by to let me know. 🙂
Brenda Deramee says
Can you cook two batches at a time?
Jillian says
I don’t think 2 batches will fit in the same slow cooker. So you will need 2 slow cookers.
Jennifer R Womack says
This recipe is amazing! I have looked for a restaurant quality refried bean recipe for a long time and I finally found it! 🙂 I make it at least weekly now. I also make homeade chips to go with it and we just snack on the chips and dip. The downside of it is the smell. My house smells soooo good all day long but I have to wait 9 hours to eat them! LOL!!
Lauren says
Should I cook them for 9 hours on HIGH or LOW? Thanks!
Jillian says
On HIGH.
Lori says
Hi, just want to let you know that I tried this recipe and absolutely loved it. Love how easy they are to freeze. I’ve made them in several variations. Some I keep plain. Others I’ve added green chiles, or small cubes of cheddar or pepper jack cheese.
LJ says
This is my go-to recipe for pinto/refried beans. Easy to make and delicious! Thank you!
Rachael says
I have made this recipe a few times and love it. I would like to make a double batch for a church lunch. Wondering if you’ve ever done this and how much to adjust the cooking time?
Jillian says
Hi Rachael,
I’ve never tried making a double batch of these beans, mainly because I don’t have a crockpot large enough for a double batch. However, with that said, If you do have a crockpot large enough for a double batch, the cooking time would be the same.