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taco bell refried beans recipe

Taco Bell Refried Beans Recipe

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb dry pinto beans
  • 8 cups water
  • 1/2 white onion
  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp vegetable shortening
  • 1/2 cup reserved bean broth

Method
 

  1. Rinse the pinto beans, place them in a large pot with the 8 cups water, onion half, and smashed garlic cloves, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer loosely covered for 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours until the beans are completely tender.
  2. Scoop out about 1 cup of cooking liquid and set aside, discard the onion, then stir in the cumin, chili powder, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder and let the beans sit on low heat for 5 minutes.
  3. Add the shortening and mash the beans in the pot over low heat for 5 to 8 minutes, adding the reserved bean broth a few tablespoons at a time until the texture is thick and spreadable.
  4. Spoon into a wide bowl, swirl the surface, and finish with a light sprinkle of chili powder.

Notes

These beans thicken considerably as they cool, so pull them off the heat when they feel just a bit looser than your target consistency. If you're planning ahead, they're actually better the next day once the spices have had time to settle in. Make a full batch on the weekend and you'll have a versatile base ready for burritos, nachos, or tostadas all week.