Did you know, a canned refried beans can be enhanced to make it savory and creamy similar to homemade or one served in a Mexican restaurant.

Refried Beans also known as frijoles refritos is often served as a filling for burritos, side with other meals or dip for nachos.

Refried Beans as a side to a Mexican beef dish with jalapenos, tomatoes, cheese, cilantro and lime wedges.

In a typical traditional Mexican household, canned refried beans is hardly used, instead they make it from scratch. Pinto beans is commonly used to prepare refried beans but other varieties of beans are also used.

It is a satisfying side dish your family will love.

Beans is cooked until soft and tender, mashed into a paste, then fried or baked in garlic, onion and spices using lard. Lard is commonly used in Mexico similar to other countries, as it adds so much flavor to any dish.

Beans is easy to prepare but time consuming similar to making lentil soup.

It takes sometime to get beans tender, some soak it overnight before cooking.

The steps in preparing refried beans is easy but quite tedious. Stay at home moms and grandmas can easily whip up refried beans for dinner but if you are working, it is not a quick weeknight dish.

You can cook beans and soften it the night before but if you want it now, it is best to use a canned refried beans.

It might not taste as authentic as your grandma or your moms refried beans but adding some spices and a few ingredients, comes close to homemade or restaurant style.

Plated creamy refried beans with grated cheese and jalapenos.

A simple way to enhance a canned of refried beans is with sour cream and cheese.

Which refried beans in can to use

There are many varieties of canned refried beans, pick whichever suits you. It is available in Traditional, with or without FAT, vegetarian, organic, smooth or with whole beans.

The brand I use is Rosarita No Fat Traditional. Rosarita is very moist and flavorful. Texture and consistency comes close to a homemade refried beans!

It is smooth and creamy with a perfect combination of whole and smooth beans. If you don’t care for whole beans, buy the one labeled SMOOTH.

I prefer some whole beans, it adds texture to the refried beans.

Ingredients to enhance canned refried beans

Three small bowls of tomato sauce, seasonings, and lime juice.

A canned refried beans is quite dense, add sour cream, tomato sauce or chicken broth to make it creamier.

Tomato sauce, lime juice and spices in a skillet.

Another simple way to enhance a refried beans in can is adding cheese, if you have sour cream even better.

But if you like to give it the authentic Mexican flavor, add spices like cumin, chili powder, oregano and garlic powder. These seasonings are staples to Mexican cuisine.

Beans added to tomato sauce and seasonings in the pan.

Chili is a very popular seasoning in Mexican cuisine which makes their food hot and spicy.

Add a couple of tablespoon of bacon drippings or lard to add more flavor.

Recipe