Vegetarian Refried Beans

5 from 3 votes

Easy vegetarian refried beans made from dried pinto beans, cooked until tender and mashed with onions, garlic, smoked paprika, and olive oil.

Prep Time10

Cook Time1 10

Total Time1 20

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: servings

Rinse the dried beans and remove and discard any debris. Place beans in an Instant Pot along with the water, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika and ½ teaspoon salt. Set the lid on the pot with the valve set to ‘seal’.
Set on manual high pressure and cook for 30 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually open the valve to release the remaining pressure. Drain the beans, reserving 2 cups of the bean broth, and set aside.
Meanwhile, in a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, but not brown, about 7 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
Add remaining smoked paprika and salt, then add cooked beans. Add 1 cup of the reserved bean broth and reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans begin to break down. Using a potato masher, mash the beans directly in the pot. Add ½ cup more bean broth at a time and continue to cook until the beans are creamy, 3-5 more minutes
Remove from heat and enjoy.

My Top Tip: Don’t skip the bean broth! Reserving that liquid is the best way to incorporate the most flavor into the beans while mashing them. Start with ½ a cup until you reach a somewhat loose and creamy consistency. You may not need all the broth, but it’s better to have more than not enough.
Storage: You can store leftover refried beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, add a little water or broth to the beans and heat them in the microwave or stovetop.
To Freeze: Let cool completely, then transfer to airtight containers or freezer bags, leaving a little room for expansion. Label and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight or use the defrost setting on your microwave, then warm in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of water or broth, stirring until smooth and heated through.

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