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    Home ▸ 30 Minutes or Less

    Easy Vegan Refried Beans Recipe

    Last modified: October 5, 2022. Originally posted: June 24, 2021 By Sophia DeSantis

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    Fork getting a bite of refried beans from a blue plate of them
    Overlay text with a collage of beans cooking in a pot and refried beans in a blue bowl

    This vegan refried bean recipe will blow your mind! It's not only super easy, but it's healthy and tastes amazing. You'll love my trick!

    Blue bowl filled with refried beans topped with shredded cheese on a blue towel
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    I love refried beans from our local taco shop, unfortunately my belly doesn't love them as much as I eat them. So I knew I needed my own homemade recipe!

    It was surprising how easy it was to get that perfect smooth and thick texture without the use of lard. These healthy beans are so delicious and have become a huge hit in our house, I'm making them all the time! But it's no problem because if you're starting with cooked or canned beans they take only 10 minutes to make, no joke!

    Ingredients

    You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make these delicious vegan refried beans. Here's what to gather:

    • Cooked pinto beans 
    • Cumin
    • Apple cider vinegar
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder
    • Smoked paprika
    • Sea salt
    Bowls of beans, spices and fresh cilantro on a wooden surface

    How to Make Vegan Refried Beans

    These refried beans are just too easy to make in no time! Here are the simple steps to take:

    1. Add the beans and other ingredients to a pot and boil.A pot with beans inside being mixed by a metal spoon
    2. Add to a food processor and blend.Top view of food processor with pureed pinto beans inside
    3. Serve with everything!Fork getting a bite of refried beans from a blue plate of them

    Serving suggestions

    These refried beans are great as a side dish for just about anything! Here are some of our favorites dishes to serve them with:

    • Vegetarian Refried Bean Burrito
    • Mexican Rice
    • Easy Mexican Street Corn Salad
    • Mexican Coleslaw with Cilantro Lime Dressing
    • Jackfruit Tacos
    • Vegan Birria Tacos
    • Crispy Vegan Tacos
    • Ultimate Vegan Mexican Nacho Burger
    • Mexican Pizza

    Tips and tricks

    For the absolute best vegan refried beans, check out these helpful hints:

    • Canned beans makes this super easy. You can also use homemade pinto beans from dried beans.
    • If using homemade, save some of the cooking liquid or add broth. You may need to thicken with about ½ cup of cornstarch.
    • In addition to pinto beans, try using black beans from time to time!
    • Blend until you get your desired texture. In order to thin out the beans, add more cooking liquid or broth a couple tablespoons at a time.
    • Add in some red or green salsa for extra flavor.
    • These vegan refried beans will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
    • You can also freeze them! Just let the beans cool, then transfer to an airtight freezer safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
    • Reheat defrosted beans in the microwave or on the stovetop. If they end up too thick just add a little broth to thin them out.

    Common Questions

    Are vegan refried beans healthy?

    Yes they are! Beans are a good source of protein and fiber. Usually what makes refried beans unhealthy is the use of lard, but this vegan recipe avoids any added fat!

    Can Vegans have refried beans?

    It depends on the beans. Some restaurants will have vegan beans but it's best to ask, since often lard is used. Your best bet is to make your own homemade vegan refried beans.

    How do you store refried beans?

    Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    What are refried beans good with?

    Everything! I love using them in my simple refried bean burritos and also pairing them with Mexican Rice to serve alongside tacos like Jackfruit Tacos, Vegan Birria Tacos, or Crispy Vegan Tacos.

    More Vegan Mexican Recipes

    If you're like us and eat South of the border inspired food multiple times a week, you need options! Try out these plant based recipes:

    • How to Cook Pinto Beans
    • How to Make Black Beans
    • Vegan Rice and Bean Burrito
    • High Protein Mexican Fiesta Salad
    • Low Fat Mexican Taco Bowl
    • Vegan Queso
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    Blue bowl filled with refried beans topped with shredded cheese on a blue towel

    Easy Vegan Refried Beans Recipe

    Sophia DeSantis
    This vegan refried bean recipe will blow your mind! It's not only super easy, but it's healthy and tastes amazing. You'll love my trick!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course 30 Minutes or Less, Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 6
    Calories 76 kcal

    Equipment

    • Food processor

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 3 cups cooked pinto beans , about 2 cans (15.5 ounces each)
    • 2 teaspoons cumin
    • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse and drain one of the cans of beans and add to a pot. Add the second can into the pot with the juices. If you use homemade beans, save about ½ cup of juice to add to the pot. Also, add about ½ teaspoon of cornstarch to mimic the thickness.
    • Add the rest of the ingredients into the pot. Bring to a boil and cook about 5 minutes until hot and bubbling.
    • Remove from heat, and allow to cool for another 5 minutes. Then add to a food processor.
    • Blend until you get a refried bean texture.
    • Serve with everything!

    Notes

    • You can use homemade pinto beans from dried beans if you prefer, but you’ll need to save some of the juice, or sub broth if not. You may want to add about ½ cup cornstarch to the homemade liquid or broth to thicken.
    • Makes about 3 cups of beans, serving size is ½ cup.

    Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 76kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 404mgPotassium: 262mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 91IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 2mg

    Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.

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    1. Paula O.

      July 20, 2021 at 1:31 pm

      YUM! I first made Sophia’s scratch pinto beans and used them as my base in this refried beans recipe. I never thought of making homemade refried beans before. I gotta day, it was super easy and I’m soooo glad I tried it! Guess we’ll be making lots of Mexican dishes this week!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        July 20, 2021 at 9:30 pm

        Yay! So happy you gave it a shot!

        Reply
    2. Sarah

      July 06, 2021 at 3:59 pm

      So good! These had the perfect texture and taste. We'll be making these again!

      Reply
    3. Ramya

      July 04, 2021 at 4:16 am

      will be making this and other dishes soon i never had mexican food before perfect for my after office meals sorry i took a break from commenting on your recipes as busy with work will dm you if i make all and let you know how it goes Thanks Ramya

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        July 05, 2021 at 1:31 pm

        Hope you enjoy!

        Reply

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