10 Minute Homemade Refried Black Beans
Posted Feb 21, 2017, Updated Apr 13, 2024
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Homemade Refried Black Beans ready in 10 minutes! The perfect addition to your family taco nights! Vegan, gluten-free & oil free!
So here I am, a year into bogging and it’s my first time jumping on the “taco tuesday” train. Don’t get me wrong, we eat tacos all. the. time. but I haven’t turned the components of our weekly taco fiestas, like these Homemade Refried Black Beans into actual recipes.
I think it’s because tacos are a fast and easy meal for me! I can have an entire taco feast on the table in 3o minutes or less, so the thought of adding steps to that process {like actually writing out one of my recipes in a way that YOU can replicate} was less than appealing to my pregnant self. LOL!
However, I had to make these Homemade Refried Black Beans into an official recipe and share it with you…because it’s my second favorite taco ingredient {after guacamole}! These refried black beans are vegan, gluten-free and oil free! They’re the perfect super healthy addition to your taco Tuesday feast!
It’s no secret that I am a veggie lover living amongst carnivores. When I make tacos I always cook ground beef for my tribe, and these Homemade Refried Black Beans for yours truly.
Hence why the whole 10 minutes thing works so well, I can easily cook these at the same time I’m browning the meat or chopping up lettuce! They can also be made ahead and reheated if that’s your jam.
How to make Homemade Refried Black Beans
1. Heat the Seasonings/Broth
Making these is SO easy! Start by heating the seasonings and water (or broth) and whisking well. The goal is to dissolve as much of the seasoning as possible!
2. Add Beans & Mash
Next we add beans, smoosh {yes that’s a technical cooking term around here lol}! Use a potato masher or a fork to mash the beans. The more you mash, the smoother they will be.
We like our beans a little chunky, so I don’t go too crazy with the mashing! If you like them EXTRA smooth, you can toss them in a high-powered blender or food processor!
3. Thicken
The longer these vegan refried black beans sit uncovered, the more they will thicken. So once you reach your desired consistency be sure to cover them with a lid!
Homemade Refried Black Beans: Substitutions
- Water/broth: I usually use vegetable or chicken broth for extra flavor, but water works great too!
- Seasonings: I use powdered seasonings but if you’d prefer to sub minced garlic for garlic powder, or sautéed onions for the onion powder you totally can. I am feeding kids so I use the powdered seasonings for a milder and less textured taste!
- Fresh cilantro: I think it adds a ton to the flavor of these Homemade Refried Black Beans, but if you have little ones who don’t like green in their food, feel free to omit!
Serving Suggestions:
Here are some of our favorite recipes to serve with these refried black beans!
- The best homemade guacamole is a must-make!
- Chicken enchiladas are one of my family’s favorite meals!
- This 5-minute homemade salsa. It’s made with canned tomatoes (or fresh if you prefer) so you can make and enjoy it year-round.
- This is the best nachos recipe ever – with two layers of cheese!
- For a vegetarian taco filling, try using these Black Bean Sweet Potato tacos – yum!
- These crockpot chicken tacos are easy and delicious!
If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!
10 Minute Homemade Refried Black Beans
Ingredients
- 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/3 cup water vegetable or chicken broth
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp ground coriander
- ¼ tsp salt or more to taste
- 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper or to taste
- ½ TBS lime juice
- 1 TBS fresh cilantro chopped (optional)
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat add water or broth.
- Add onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper and stir to combine.
- Add beans and stir well.
- Bring mixture to a boil.
- After mixture boils reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 5-7 minutes.
- During cooking, use a potato masher or fork to “mash” the beans.
- The more beans you “mash” the less chunky your mixture will be.
- Continue cooking and mashing until you have reached your desired thickness and consistency.
- Add chopped fresh cilantro and lime juice and stir to combine.
- Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes covered (if you leave it uncovered the beans will continue to thicken).
- Serve warm with tacos!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I was very happy with this refried black bean recipe. I am on a low sodium diet. I used low sodium black beans, no additional salt, extra garlic powder and added 1/2 t of salt free chipotle seasoning. Everyone enjoyed these refried beans and nobody realized they were very low sodium. I will use these refried beans on many things. I think the lime juice is a must, really kicks the flavor up. I might use some fresh jalapeño next time. This is a very flavorful, versatile recipe.
I’m a current to-be dietitian that works a lot with refining recipes to create healthier and more balanced meals. I needed refried beans for a recipe and this turned out phenomenal! 😊
Thank you for posting. I needed a replacement for a can of refried beans for baked chicken tacos last night and used your recipe since I already had everything. Thinking this will be the new way I make those tacos now. Really good!
Thank you Michelle!
WOW, made it to use in my roasted salmon tacos. YUMMO
These are really delicious!! I needed a quick refried bean recipe, and this one really hit the spot!! Super quick and easy, with the perfect balance of flavors. I didn’t add the coriander or cilantro, because I didn’t have either of those ingredients. Thank you sooo much for this amazing, delicious recipe!!
Found your blog searching for a refried bean recipe. Made these with pinto beans
as it was all I had. Amazing flavor no comparison to the canned version. SO easy to make I used them on our nachos>
SO glad to have found your website looking forward to trying more recipes. Thank you
Thank you, Val! These are a staple in my house! I’m so glad you love them!
These were great! Fast, easy, and fat-free! I’ll definitely make this recipe again!
Quick easy and delicious! Made to have with my turkey tacos. Not sure if it might make it to my meal!
These are *AMAZING* and super easy to make! I am like you, I prefer vegetarian dishes while the rest of my family prefers meaty dishes.
I did not have coriander, so I used chili powder instead. I made burritos with the beans, cheese and spanish rice (from lilluna.com). I can totally see myself using these beans on all things Mexican: tacos, burritos, rice bowls, quesadillas, enchiladas, taco salad. I love the flavor the lime juice adds!
So delicious, thank you!