Restaurant-Style Refried Beans

Name: Restaurant-Style Refried Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cans (15 oz each) pinto beans, drained (liquid reserved); 4 tablespoons lard or bacon fat (or vegetable oil); 1/2 small onion, finely diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1/2 teaspoon chili powder; Salt to taste; Reserved bean liquid or water for consistency

Rich, velvety refried beans simmered with garlic, cumin, and savory bacon fat.

Total time

25 min

Serves

8

Difficulty

Medium

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As seen on Episode 24

The pantry

kitchen

Essentials · serves 8

2 cans (15 oz each) pinto beans, drained (liquid reserved) 4 tablespoons lard or bacon fat (or vegetable oil) 1/2 small onion, finely diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon chili powder Salt to taste Reserved bean liquid or water for consistency

·

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The preparation

8 steps, about 25 minutes start to finish.

01
Heat lard or oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat.
02
Add onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
03
Add garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Cook 1 minute.
04
Add beans and about 1/4 cup of reserved bean liquid.
05
Mash beans with a potato masher or the back of a spoon to desired consistency.
06
Add more bean liquid or water as needed to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
07
Season generously with salt.
08
Cook, stirring, for 5 more minutes until beans thicken slightly.

lightbulb The chef's notes

“Save that bean liquid and add it back a splash at a time as you mash, it's how you dial in the texture. They firm up as they cook and again as they cool, so keep them looser than you think you want.”

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