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Simple Refried Beans

By Dan Souza

Published on July 9, 2014

Time

25 minutes

Yield

Serves 3 (Makes about 1 1/2 cups)

Simple Refried Beans

Ingredients

2 slices bacon, removed before serving1 small onion, chopped fine2 garlic cloves, minced1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans (do not rinse)¼ cup water

Instructions

  1. Heat bacon in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until fat renders and bacon crisps, 7 to 10 minutes, flipping bacon halfway through. Remove bacon and reserve for another use. Increase heat to medium, add onion to fat in skillet, and cook until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beans and their liquid and water and bring to simmer. Cook, mashing beans with potato masher, until mixture is mostly smooth, 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt to taste, and serve.
Simple Refried Beans

Simple Refried Beans

Save

Time

25 minutes

Yield

Serves 3 (Makes about 1 1/2 cups)

Ingredients

2 slices bacon, removed before serving
1 small onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans (do not rinse)
¼ cup water

Ingredients

2 slices bacon, removed before serving
1 small onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans (do not rinse)
¼ cup water

Ingredients

2 slices bacon, removed before serving
1 small onion, chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans (do not rinse)
¼ cup water

Why This Recipe Works

To quickly make refried beans, we fry a couple of slices of bacon and use the fat to give the beans meaty depth. Onions and garlic provide savory notes, while the rich canning liquid from pinto beans helps to create a silky texture and a rich flavor. We mash the beans with a potato masher for a partly smooth, partly chunky texture.

Instructions

  1. Heat bacon in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until fat renders and bacon crisps, 7 to 10 minutes, flipping bacon halfway through. Remove bacon and reserve for another use. Increase heat to medium, add onion to fat in skillet, and cook until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beans and their liquid and water and bring to simmer. Cook, mashing beans with potato masher, until mixture is mostly smooth, 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt to taste, and serve.

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