How to Make Refried Beans from Canned Black Beans (plus bacon!)

Learning how to make refried beans from canned black beans is super easy with this recipe. Cooked in bacon grease, this black refried beans recipe comes together with few simple, flavorful ingredients. 

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Have you ever wondered how to make black refried beans? You know the type, those super tasty beans that you get at Mexican restaurants and taste amazing on their own or alongside some yummy green chicken enchiladas. 

You’re in luck, because I’m going to share the secret on how to make the best, super easy refried beans! As always, make sure you read through the full recipe before starting and gather all your ingredients and supplies to make it easy. Trust me, this will make your life easier, especially if you have a small kitchen like I do! 

Are you vegan or vegetarian? Scroll to the bottom to find an easy substitution on how to make refried black beans vegan! 

Ingredients for This Refried Black Beans Recipe

1. Bacon: the rendered bacon fat adds all the smokiness and salt you’ll need to make bacon refried beans. Plus, the bacon serves as a great topping for refried beans, or you can just eat it straight because why not?
2. White onion: use a small amount of onion, you want to impart enough flavor but also let the bacon grease shine through. Don’t have a white onion? You can sub in a yellow or sweet onion in a pinch.
3. Garlic cloves: use fresh garlic whenever possible! This combines with the onion adds some extra umami to these beans. Yum! 
4. Canned black beans: try to buy the ones without any salt added.  Canned black beans turn into amazing amazingly creamy beans without much work or waiting on your part! 

Equipment Needed

You really don’t need much to make these black refried beans, which is what makes them so easy and convenient! But here are the tools you’ll need:

1. Heavy cast iron pan, like this one to fry your bacon and cook the beans 
2. Cutting board and knife, for the onion and garlic. Do you have a good versatile chef’s knife? If you don’t, consider investing in one – it honestly makes a huge difference in the kitchen. I’m a fan of Wusthof knifes and this one in particular – it’s a bit pricey but worth it! 
3. A blender to mix everything together. You can make refried black beans in a food processor as well if you don’t have a blender. I’ve made it both ways and there’s not a huge difference to texture or taste. 

How to Make Black Refried Beans from a Can?

Okay so this is a pretty easy recipe, with canned beans being used. To make sure it all comes together easily though, follow these simple steps:

1. Fry your bacon in a heavy cast iron pan, like this one. Make sure you reserve the bacon grease and DO NOT wash the pan after you cook the bacon. You’ll cook your beans in this same pan. 
2. Peel the onion and garlic and add to a blender. 
3. Add the refried beans and bacon grease to the blender with the onion and garlic. No need to drain your beans! 
4. Cook the mixture over medium heat in the same pan you used to cook the bacon and enjoy! 

What Can I Use Refried Beans for?

Now that you know how to make these super tasty refried beans (with bacon!) you can either serve them as a side dish or use them in other dishes. 

You can use these black refried beans in this spicy black bean soup to make it creamy. You can also use the beans you just fried up instead of chicken in this enchilada recipe. 

Toppings to Put on Top 

I’m a huge fan of serving refried black beans topped with queso fresco or with cotija cheese. You can also top with some fresh cilantro, or melt whatever cheese you prefer over these. 

Vegan and Vegetarian Refried Black Beans – Easy Substitutions 

If you prefer to cut out the bacon grease, the following easy substitution is how you can make black refried beans vegan! 

• Sub out the bacon grease for your favorite vegetable oil in the blender at a 1:1 rate. Additionally, use 1 teaspoon of additional oil in the pan to cook the beans.

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