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Creamy Refried Beans Hack Easy Homemade Pantry Staple Recipe

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A quick and easy hack to transform canned refried beans into creamy, restaurant-style beans with simple pantry ingredients and a blending step.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) refried beans
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (can swap with olive oil for dairy-free)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream or Mexican crema (optional, can use plain Greek yogurt)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh cilantro or sliced jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Heat the skillet over medium heat and melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter until it foams gently but does not brown, about 1 minute.
  2. Add the entire can (15 oz / 425 g) of refried beans to the skillet and stir to combine with the butter. Warm through for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Slowly pour in 1/4 cup (60 ml) of vegetable or chicken broth while stirring to loosen the beans. Add an extra tablespoon of broth if mixture is too thick, but avoid making it soupy.
  4. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir well and taste test.
  5. Transfer the beans to a blender or use an immersion blender directly in the skillet. Blend until smooth and silky, about 30-45 seconds. Vent the lid slightly to avoid steam pressure.
  6. Stir in 2 tablespoons sour cream or Mexican crema for a creamy finish. For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt or omit entirely.
  7. Return the blended beans to low heat and warm through for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until slightly thickened and spreadable.
  8. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or sliced jalapeños if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

If beans thicken too much after cooling, stir in a splash of broth or water before reheating. For dairy-free, swap butter with olive oil and sour cream with vegan crema or coconut yogurt. Blend carefully to avoid splatters by venting the blender lid.

Nutrition

Keywords: refried beans, creamy refried beans, easy refried beans, pantry staple, Mexican side dish, quick beans recipe, homemade refried beans

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/creamy-refried-beans-hack-easy-homemade-pantry-staple-recipe/