Creamy, rustic refried beans that taste better and cost less than canned beans.

Once youve had homemade refried beans, youll never want to open a can of beans again.

What Are the Best Beans for Refried Beans?

refried beans in a white bowl

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Sometimes beans will take longer to cook than expected, especially if they happen to be very old.

Soaking tends to help even the playing field in this regard.

What Is the Best Fat for Refried Beans?

Homemade Refried Beans in a white bowl with lime wedges and sliced jalepenos nearby. The instant pot is in the background.

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What Should You Serve With Refried Beans?

Plain pinto beans are a fine accompaniment for Mexican dishes, but refried beans are even better.

Their silky, spoonable texture and rich mouthfeel are just that much more luxurious.

Mashing cooked beans in the bottom of the instant pot.

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Ladle them onto a plate alongsideenchiladas, tamales, mole, or any other main dish.

Youll be surprised at how delicious they are with such a minimal ingredient list.

If they seem dry, add a little water or broth.

Beans soaking in the insert of an Insant Pot for easy refired beans.

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Refried beans can also be frozen for up to three months.

Need More Beans in Your Life?

Instant Pot Refried Beans

This recipe works great when halved, which I do all the time.

Photo of an instant pot with “ON” on the digital screen.

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If you have a larger (8-quart) pressure cooker, it can be doubled as well.

At this point, you could let the beans soak for 8-10 hours, or cook them right away.

Its up to you!

Instant pot with 35 on the digital screen

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When youre ready to cook the beans, secure the pressure cooker lid in its sealed position.

When the cooking program ends, let the pressure release naturallythis will take about 35 minutes.

Ladle out 1 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid and reserve.

Lard melting in the insert of an instant pot.

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Rinse out the inner pot, wipe it dry, and place it back in the pressure cooker housing.

For a chunky texture, use a potato masher to mash the beans as much as you like.

For a smooth texture, use an immersion blender to puree them.

Sauteeing onions with a wooden spoon in the insert of an instant pot.

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Add 3/4 cup of the reserved cooking liquid and stir to combine.

Continue adding the cooking liquid a little at a time until the beans reach your desired texture.

(I like to use a full cup.)

Adding liquid to mashed beans for homemade refried beans.

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They will also thicken as they sit.

Taste for seasoning, adding salt if needed.

Using an immersion blender to make refried beans.

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