Refried Beans or Frijoles Refritos, as it is known in Mexico, were invented in Northern Mexico about 100 years ago. Refried beans are almost a mandatory side dish for most Mexican meals. This side dish is fast and easy to make and tastes better than the premade canned refried beans you buy in the store.
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Ways to Make Frijoles Refritos
Frijoles Refritos are made by mashing cooked beans, most commonly pinto beans then followed in popularity by black turtle beans. Chili powder, cumin, chopped sweet bell, jalapeño peppers, and citrus juice are typically added as enhancements.
How to Store Refried Beans
To store leftover refried beans, allow them to cool to room temperature. Place beans into an airtight container or a storage bag that seals properly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To freeze refried beans allow them to fully cool before attempting to freeze them. Separate refried beans into usable portions and place them into airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label, date, and seal all packaging. You can freeze refried beans for up to 12 months.
History of Frijoles Refritos
Although nobody knows who invented this delicious way of making beans, it is believed that Frijoles Refritos were first made in Northern Mexico about 100 years ago. The translation of Frijoles Refritos to English is incorrect as the word Frijoles translates to Beans and the word Refritos translates to Well-Fried, so the real name in English is Well-Fried Beans.
The Metropolitan City of Monterrey, Mexico
Monterrey is the capital city of the northeastern Mexican state of Nuevo León. It has a sprawling business and industrial center and is fringed by mountains. The city sprawls over the semiarid floodplain of the Santa Catarina River, which spills eastward from the flanks of the Sierra Madre Oriental.
Monterrey is one of the most livable cities in Mexico. The metropolis has an estimated population of 5,341,171 and the city itself has a population of 1,142,194.
A Brief History of Monterrey
Monterrey was founded by the Spanish in 1596, it grew slowly until 1882 when Monterrey was linked by rail with Laredo, Texas. By 1900 thousands of workers were producing iron, brass, steel, wagons, woolen textiles, beer, and flour in Monterrey.
Tourism in Monterrey
The city is overlooked by the Palacio del Obispado, a storied Baroque palace with a regional museum. In the downtown of Monterrey lies the Macroplaza, a vast green area of connected squares and home to the striking Museo de Arte Contemporáneo and the Faro de Comercio tower, which beams green lasers into the sky at night.
Mexican Cuisine
Since the pre-Columbian era, corn, squash, chile peppers, and beans have formed the base of the Mexican diet. In the 15th century, Spanish settlers introduced new culinary techniques to Mexico, along with new ingredients like wheat, onions, rice, cheese, chicken, pork, and beef. Throughout the country, European traditions began to fuse with indigenous recipes. The result was a new and wholly original cuisine.
– Featured Restaraunt –
Los Frijoles Merendero & Cantina
C. Albino Espinosa 239-Oriente, Centro, 64000 Monterrey, N.L., Mexico
Telephone: +52 81 8344 6879
Filled tortillas, grilled meat & live music at a cheery cantina with classic cars in a small museum.
How to Make This Refried Beans Recipe
For this recipe, we used pinto beans and seasoned them with onions, garlic, chili powder, cumin, cilantro, and lime juice. When the beans were fully cooked we mashed about half the beans and served with some melted cheese on top.
What You Need to Make Refried Beans
Equipment Needed
- 1 Dutch Oven
- 1 Potato Masher
Ingreadents Needed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup yellow onion finely chopped
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 cloves garlic pressed or minced
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- 3 cups pinto beans
- ½ cup water
- 2 tbsp dried cilantro chopped
- 1 tbsp lime juice to taste
How to Cook This Refried Beans Recipe
Time needed: 20 minutes
Cooking Directions
- Saute the Onions
In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering. Add the onions and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened and are turning translucent, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Cook the Beans
Add the garlic, chili powder, and cumin and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the beans and water. Stir, cover, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Mash the Beans
Reduce the heat to low and remove the lid. Use a potato masher or the back of a fork to mash up half of the beans, until you reach your desired consistency. Continue to cook the beans, uncovered, stirring often, for 3 more minutes.
- Garnish and Serve
Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro and lime juice. Taste, and add more salt and lime juice if necessary. If the beans seem dry, add a very small splash of water and stir to combine. Cover until you’re ready to serve.
This Frijoles Refritos recipe is part of the Green Chillie Chicken Enchiladas meal with Mexican Yellow Rice and Refried beans.
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Easy Refried Beans Recipe
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Equipment
- 1 Potato Masher
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup yellow onion finely chopped
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 cloves garlic pressed or minced
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- 3 cups pinto beans
- ½ cup water
- 2 tbsp dried cilantro chopped
- 1 tbsp lime juice to taste
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering. Add the onions and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened and are turning translucent, about 5 to 8 minutes.1 tbsp olive oil, ½ cup yellow onion, ¼ tsp salt
- Add the garlic, chili powder, and cumin and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the beans and water. Stir, cover, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.2 cloves garlic, ½ tsp chili powder, ¼ tsp ground cumin, 3 cups pinto beans, ½ cup water
- Reduce the heat to low and remove the lid. Use a potato masher or the back of a fork to mash up half of the beans, until you reach your desired consistency. Continue to cook the beans, uncovered, stirring often, for 3 more minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro and lime juice. Taste, and add more salt and lime juice if necessary. If the beans seem dry, add a very small splash of water and stir to combine. Cover until you’re ready to serve.2 tbsp dried cilantro, 1 tbsp lime juice
Nutrition
Other Recipes That Go Well With Refried Beans
Photo Credits:
- By Taste The World Cookbook – Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
- By Los Frijoles Merendero & Cantina – By https://www.facebook.com/losfrijolesmonterrey/
- By Microstar – File:Panoramica plaza de armas Durango.jpg, por Sozi (CC-BY-2.0)File:Catedral Basílica Menor de La Purísima.JPG, por Fernandocasas (CC-BY-SA-3.0)File:A lo alto, Quinta del Aguacate.JPG, por MohamedPulido (CC-BY-SA-3.0)File:ES la salvacion.JPG, por Lalomen96 (CC-BY-SA-3.0)File:Palacio Municipal Durango.JPG, por MohamedPulido (CC-BY-SA-3.0)File:Torre del Templo de San Agustín.JPG, por MohamedPulido (CC-BY-SA-3.0)File:AnalcoDurango013.jpg, por Thelmadatter (CC-BY-SA-4.0), CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74730877
