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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Grain and Bean Recipes

    Refried Black Beans

    Published: Feb 7, 2025 by Megan Calipari · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    This Refried Black Beans recipe utilizes canned beans and plenty of spices for quick and delicious homemade refried beans! These beans are great in burritos or as a side to your favorite tacos. And they only require 15 minutes to prepare.

    Refried black beans in a bowl topped with chopped cilantro.

    We have at least one taco night every single week in my house. And I never get tired of them because they are different every time! I almost always make Homemade Vegan Tortillas and I stuff them with beans and Corn Salsa, or Red Cabbage Slaw or Avocado Pico de Gallo. And they are always incredible.

    Today I'm going back to basics to show you how to make my favorite Refried Black Beans from canned beans! They are quick, cheap and packed with flavor. The perfect addition to your next taco night.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Instructions
    • What to Serve Them With
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Expert Recipe Tips
    • Looking for More Taco Night Ideas?
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • This recipe is super easy to make.
    • And it only requires 15 minutes of time!
    • These Refried Black Beans are vegan and gluten-free, so anyone can enjoy them.
    • They are so versatile: use them as a side dish or in a tacos or burrito bowls.
    • And most importantly, they are absolutely delicious!

    Ingredient Notes

    Ingredients for making this recipe in small bowls on a linen cloth.

    Canned Black Beans: Canned black beans make this recipe so fast and easy! Try to find a lower sodium can of beans, so this recipe doesn't get too salty.

    Jalapeño: Jalapeño adds a little heat. If you don't like spice you can skip it.

    Spices: A combination of garlic powder and cumin add so much flavor to this refried black beans recipe.

    Instructions

    Onion, jalapeño and spices cooking in a skillet.

    Step 1. Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Then, add the olive oil and chopped onion. Sauté until the onion is translucent 3 minutes.

    Next, add the jalapeño, garlic powder and cumin and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes longer.

    Black beans and water added into the skillet.

    Step 2. Add the drained black beans and water and reduce the heat to low.

    Allow the beans for 3 minutes.

    Mashed black beans in a skillet.

    Step 3. Then, remove from heat and use a potato masher to mash the beans to your desired consistency.

    Refried black beans in a skillet topped with chopped cilantro.

    Step 4. Taste the beans for seasoning and add a pinch of salt if necessary.

    Then, top with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro and serve!

    What to Serve Them With

    • Add these refried black beans to a burrito.
    • Or serve them along side some Lentil Tacos,
    • Use them with some Vegan Mexican Rice to make a burrito bowl.

    Recipe FAQs

    How should I store these Refried Black Beans?

    To store, scoop the beans into a container with an airtight lid and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    Are refried beans vegetarian?

    Not always! Traditional refried beans are made with lard which is animal fat. So, always ask when you are out to eat.

    Expert Recipe Tips

    If the beans are too thick when you mash them, add a splash more water to loosen them up.

    How much additional salt you need will depend on the sodium content of the canned beans you have. So, be sure to taste them at the end and adjust the seasoning.

    Refried Black Beans in a white bowl.

    Looking for More Taco Night Ideas?

    • 4 ingredient guacamole without cilantro in a small bowl with a tortilla chip sticking out of it.
      4 Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
    • Skinny Spicy Margarita in a salt-rimmed glass with limes in the foreground.
      Skinny Spicy Margarita Recipe
    • Hand hold a chip dipping into the salsa.
      Easy Vitamix Salsa
    • avocado pico de gallo in a white bowl
      Avocado Pico de Gallo

    If you tried this Refried Black Beans recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today!

    📖 Recipe

    Refried Black Beans topped with cilantro in a bowl with a gold spoon.

    Refried Black Beans

    Megan Calipari
    This Refried Black Beans recipe utilizes canned beans and plenty of spices for quick and delicious homemade refried beans! These beans are great in burritos or as a side to your favorite tacos.
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 4 Servings
    Calories 137 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 10 inch Skillet
    • 1 Wooden Spoon
    • 1 Strainer
    • 1 Potato Masher
    • 1 Chefs Knife
    • 1 Cutting Board

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • ⅓ Cup Finely Chopped Yellow Onion about ½ of a small onion
    • 1 tablespoon Finely Chopped Jalapeño about ½ of a large jalapeño
    • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Cumin
    • 1 15oz Can of Black Beans, drained but not rinsed see note
    • ⅓ Cup Water
    • 2 tablespoon Chopped Cilantro optional
    • Salt and Black Pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and onion and cook until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
      ⅓ Cup Finely Chopped Yellow Onion, 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • Add the chopped jalapeño, garlic powder and cumin and cook, stirring frequently for 2 minutes longer.
      1 tablespoon Finely Chopped Jalapeño, ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder, ½ teaspoon Cumin
    • Add the drained black beans, water and some black pepper. Allow the beans to simmer for 3 minutes. Then, remove from heat and mashed the beans with a potato masher until they reach your desired texture. See note!
      1 15oz Can of Black Beans, drained but not rinsed, ⅓ Cup Water
    • Taste and season with salt if necessary. This will depend on the sodium content of your beans! Top with cilantro and serve!
      2 tablespoon Chopped Cilantro

    Notes

    Try to find a lower sodium can of black beans. 
    Drain the excess liquid from the beans, but don't rinse them! We want a little bit of the starchy liquid in this recipe.
    Mash the beans as finely as you like. And if they are too thick, add a splash more water to loosen them up.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0.4CupsCalories: 137kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 7gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 411mgPotassium: 368mgFiber: 8gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 43IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Headshot of me in a white shirt

    Hi, I'm Megan! I'm a trained pastry chef who is passionate about creating vegan desserts and meals for everyone. My recipes use simple ingredients and methods to create delicious results.

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