Easy Refried Beans

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Mexican Inspired, Southern

Keyword easy-refried-beans, refried-beans-recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings servings

Calories 294kcal

Author Melissa Sperka

In a heavy bottomed skillet over medium-high heat cook the onion, butter and bacon drippings for 3 minutes or until the onion has softened.
Add the beans, taco sauce, chili powder, cumin, garlic salt and lemon pepper. Mix well.
Use a potato masher to mash the beans until smooth leaving some chunks. Cook until the beans begin to bubble.
Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust the garlic salt to your taste.
Add 1/2 of the cheese to the beans, stir until melted. Sprinkle the remaining on top.
Serve immediately.

Pinto Beans - You could make these refried beans with leftover cooked pinto beans. When doing so, consider the seasonings used in the beans and make any adjustments to the spices in the recipe as needed.
Black Beans - You could adapt this recipe using black beans. When doing so, drain and rinse the black beans in a colander and increase the amount of taco sauce as needed.
Bacon Drippings - You can use vegetable oil or olive oil in place of bacon grease.
Onion - You can use Vidalia onion, white onion or yellow onion for a stronger onion flavor.
Peppers - You could add finely diced jalapeño pepper or poblano pepper along with the onion.
Taco Sauce - You can use mild, medium or hot taco sauce.
Cheese - You could use colby jack cheese or pepper jack cheese for a little heat.
Garlic Salt - You can use plain salt and garlic powder in place of garlic salt.
Consistency - You can fully customize the texture to your taste. I like leaving some chunks for texture but you can puree them until they're completely smooth, if that's your preference.