How to Make Canned Refried Beans Taste Better – Recipe

Have you wondered how to make canned refried beans taste better? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, I’ll share some tips that will help you improve the flavor of your refried beans. So, whether you’re making them for a family dinner or a party, follow these tips and they’ll be sure to impress!

Canned Refried beans don’t taste bad on their own but what if I told you that there was a way to make them taste better?

Now, there is something to be said for the convenience of a canned good. You can make refried beans from scratch- and those taste delicious, too.

But if you’re like me- you may not have time to whip up homemade beans at the drop of the hat. Which is why canned refried beans are so nice to have on hand. But like I said, you can make them taste even better with little to no effort at all!

Why I love this recipe

We love refried beans! And while canned refried beans are convenient there’s no denying that homemade are typically more delicious. Which is why I love this recipe- it makes something  easy- taste even better. 

It is easy to add a few things to revamp this classic dish and someone with any level of culinary expertise (or lack there of) can do it!

What to Add to Canned Refried Beans

You can add many additional ingredients to a can of refried beans to make it taste better. I’ll share my favorite combination in this article, but here is a big list of items you can add to kick your refried beans up a notch:

• Butter
• Sour cream
• Half and Half
• Shredded cheese
• Taco Seasoning
• Cumin
• Hot Sauce
• Diced Green Chilies
• Enchilada Sauce
• Crema
• Salsa
• Diced jalapenos

Tips for Making Canned Beans Better

When making this recipe, I recommend the following for the best results:

• Add one ingredient at a time so you can adjust the taste and texture more easily
• Heat over low heat to avoid the beans getting stuck on the bottom of the pan or from getting overly bubbly
• Low-sodium refried beans are a good option because you can control the flavor a little bit more
• While you can reheat them, I believe these taste best when you cook them right before serving

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup white onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 can (16 oz) refried beans 
• 1/4 cup half and half
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)
• Cumin (to taste)
• Cheese 

Instructions for Canned Refried Beans

1. Melt butter in a skillet.

2. Add onion and saute until translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant over low heat.

3. Add refried beans, break up, and combine with butter, onion, and garlic.

4. Add half and half, and stir.

5. Add sour cream

6. Season with salt, pepper, and cumin to taste (I used 1 teaspoon of each).

7. Add cheese.

How to Make Refried Beans Creamy

One of the reasons I like refried beans at Mexican restaurants is because they are so creamy. Canned beans tend to be a little chunkier and not as smooth.

The best way to them creamier is by adding some kind of dairy, such as:

• Milk
• Half and Half
• Crema
• Sour Cream

I prefer crema over sour cream because it’s a bit thinner than traditional sour cream, so it is a little easier to incorporate. Half and half or milk is a great option for thinning up refried beans that are a bit too thick.

You can use non-dairy milk, such as coconut or almond, but I find it changes the taste more than I like.

What are refried beans?

Despite how it sounds, refried beans aren’t twice-fried beans. They are mashed beans (typically pinto or black) that are then heated up. Here is how I cooked my pinto beans in a crock pot so that you will have an idea what else you can do with it. They are typically combined with other seasonings and ingredients like onions or chiles. Canned refried beans often just have salt and water added.

How to season refried beans

There are many different ways to season canned refried beans:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Taco Seasoning
• Cumin
• Chile Powder
• Lime Juice
• Crema or sour cream

Substitutions

• I prefer using a white onion when I cook savory dishes but you could easily use different variations.
• I have also started to use frozen or pre-chopped onions and I’m kind of obsessed! It’s so convenient and makes it so much easier!
• If you’re not a fan of sour cream or half and half you could try plain greek yogurt or heavy whipping cream or 2% milk.
• And as always, if you don’t like onion or garlic you can always omit it- just know that the rich, strong flavors that it brings won’t be there and will slightly change the taste of this dish!

What can I serve with Refried Beans?

Refried Beans are typically served alongside Mexican dishes.

You’ve probably noticed they are a staple at most Mexican restaurants and offered with most entrees.

Here are some of our favorite dishes to pair with our delicious fancy canned refried beans.

• One-Pot Creamy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Queso Dip
• Mexican Taco Lasagna
• Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
• Salsa Verde Steak Baked Tacos
• Quick and Easy Beef Enchiladas
• Black Bean Tacos
• Mini Shredded Chicken Tacos
• Sticky Spanish Rice
• Guacamole
• Salmon Tacos

Can you double this recipe?

Yes, this recipe is very easy to double and make for a crowd. If you are doubling it, you may not need to double all of the ingredients (such as the half and half or the cheese), so I recommend starting with just a little bit more of each and adjusting as needed.

You will need to use a larger pan if you doubling the recipe, and it may take a little bit longer to cook.

How long do refried beans last in the can?

If you open the beans and decide to hold off on using them, they will stay good for about 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored properly.

How long do cooked refried beans stay good for?

Homemade or semi-home-made refried beans will stay good for about 3-4 days in the refrigerator if properly covered after cooking.

How to Store Refried Beans?

After you have revamped your can of refried beans, it’s best to store them in an airtight container in the fridge.

How do you warm refried beans?

You can easily warm these up in a microwave-safe dish or warm them slowly in a pot on the stove- stirring often.

So, there you have it. A few tips to make your canned refried beans taste better and more like restaurant-style refried beans. Give them a try the next time you’re cooking up a Mexican feast!