Frijoles refritos, or refried beans, are a staple in Mexican cuisine and are a popular side dish served with various dishes such as tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. This delicious dish is made by frying and mashing cooked beans with flavorful ingredients like onions, garlic, and spices. If you're looking to make authentic Mexican frijoles refritos, look no further than this recipe by renowned cookbook author Diane Kennedy. Not only is this recipe easy to follow, but it also captures the true essence of Mexican flavors. So, get your apron on and let's get cooking!
Spice up your beer can chicken with this delicious Mexican-inspired pizza recipe. It's a perfect combination of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds wanting more. The crispy crust, cheesy toppings, and tender chicken make for a mouth-watering meal that's easy to prepare.
If you love the iconic Taco Bell Mexican Pizza, then you'll love this homemade version. It's a healthier and tastier take on the fast-food favorite. With a crispy tortilla base, seasoned ground beef, and all the classic toppings, this recipe is a must-try for any Mexican food lover.
A hearty and comforting dish, this Mexican casserole is perfect for a family dinner or potluck. Layers of tortillas, chicken, beans, and cheese are baked together for a flavorful and filling meal. Serve it with some fresh guacamole and sour cream for a complete and satisfying meal.
For a quick and easy weeknight meal, try this homemade Mexican tostada recipe. It's a crunchy and flavorful dish that can be customized with your favorite toppings. Simply layer a crispy tortilla with beans, chicken, cheese, and any other toppings you desire. It's a fun and delicious way to enjoy Mexican flavors.
This twist on classic lasagna is a crowd-pleaser. Instead of traditional Italian flavors, this recipe features Mexican ingredients like salsa, black beans, and corn. The layers of noodles, cheese, and chicken create a filling and satisfying dish that's perfect for a family dinner or potluck.
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Easy Mexican Tostada
Main Ingredients: Tostada Shells, Refried Beans, Ground Beef, Onion
This recipe is perfect for when you're short on time but still want a flavorful and delicious meal. Simply top a crispy tortilla with refried beans, shredded chicken, and shredded cheese, and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with your favorite toppings for a customizable and tasty dinner.
This classic party dip is always a hit. Layered with refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese, and other toppings, it's a flavorful and festive appetizer. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping and watch it disappear in no time.
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Warm Layered Mexican Dip
Main Ingredients: Refried Beans, Cream Cheese, Taco Seasoning, Black
Similar to the 7-layer dip, this warm version is perfect for colder months. It's a creamy and cheesy dip layered with beans, salsa, and chicken. Baked until bubbly, it's the perfect appetizer for game day or any gathering with friends and family.
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Mexican Brown Rice Bake – Gluten Free
Main Ingredients: Cooked Chicken Breasts, Brown Rice, Refried Beans
If you're looking for a gluten-free option, this Mexican brown rice bake is a must-try. It's packed with ground turkey, rice, black beans, and corn, and topped with cheese and salsa. It's a hearty and nutritious meal that the whole family will love.
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Mexican Lasagna (or Enchilada Casserole)
Main Ingredients: Green Bell Pepper, Red Bell Pepper, Jalapeno Pepper
Another twist on classic lasagna, this Mexican version is made with layers of corn tortillas, chicken, enchilada sauce, and cheese. It's a delicious and comforting dish that can be customized with your favorite toppings. Serve with some fresh cilantro and sour cream for an extra burst of flavor.
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Slow Cooker Mexican Dip
Main Ingredients: Lean Ground Beef, Enchilada Sauce, Refried Beans, Diced
This easy and flavorful dip is perfect for parties or game day. Simply combine cream cheese, salsa, shredded chicken, and shredded cheese in a slow cooker and let it cook until everything is melted and combined. Serve with tortilla chips for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
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Mexican Seven-Layer Dip
Main Ingredients: Refried Beans, Salsa, Avocado, Sour Cream, Shredded
Similar to the 7-layer dip, this version adds in some extra ingredients for even more flavor. Along with the classic layers of beans, cheese, and salsa, this dip also includes avocado, jalapenos, and black olives. It's a delicious and colorful appetizer that's always a hit.
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Mexican Pizza | Taco Bell Style Vegetarian Mexican...
Main Ingredients: Tortilla, Refried Beans, Tomatoes, Spring Onions
This vegetarian version of the Taco Bell Mexican Pizza is a healthier and tastier option. Made with black beans, corn, salsa, and cheese, it's a flavorful and satisfying meal. Top with some sliced avocado and cilantro for an extra burst of freshness.
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Mission Mexican Pizza
Main Ingredients: Flour Tortillas, Refried Beans, Ground Beef Chuck
This recipe uses Mission tortillas as a base for a delicious and easy Mexican pizza. Top with refried beans, chicken, cheese, and any other toppings you desire. Bake until crispy and golden for a quick and tasty meal.
This meatless lasagna is full of Mexican flavors and is perfect for a vegetarian dinner. Layers of zucchini, black beans, and salsa make for a delicious and healthy meal. Serve with some fresh salsa and sour cream for a burst of flavor.
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Mexican Pinwheels
Main Ingredients: Flour Tortillas, Mexican Style Cheese, Refried Beans
These bite-sized pinwheels are perfect for parties or as a snack. Tortillas are filled with a creamy and flavorful mixture of cream cheese, salsa, and shredded cheese, and rolled up before being sliced into bite-sized pieces. They're easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
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Mexican Eggrolls
Main Ingredients: Egg Roll Wrappers, Refried Beans, Chorizo, Onion
If you're looking for a unique and delicious appetizer, try these Mexican-style eggrolls. Filled with ground beef, black beans, corn, and cheese, they're packed with flavor and perfect for dipping in some salsa or guacamole.
Another version of the classic 7-layer dip, this recipe simplifies things with just 5 layers of goodness. It's a creamy and flavorful dip that's perfect for any gathering. Serve with some homemade tortilla chips for a delicious and easy appetizer.
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Easy Mexican Bean Taquitos
Main Ingredients: Canola Oil, Corn Tortillas, Refried Beans, Garlic
These crispy and flavorful taquitos are perfect for a quick and easy dinner. Simply fill tortillas with a mixture of black beans, corn, and cheese, and bake until golden and crispy. Serve with some sour cream and salsa for dipping.
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Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Main Ingredients: Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Enchilada Sauce
This chicken enchilada casserole is a comforting and delicious meal that's perfect for a family dinner. Layers of corn tortillas, chicken, enchilada sauce, and cheese come together for a flavorful and satisfying dish. Top with some fresh cilantro and sliced avocado for an extra burst of freshness.
The Secret to Perfect Frijoles Refritos
Choosing the Right Beans
One of the key elements to making authentic Mexican frijoles refritos is choosing the right beans. The most commonly used beans are pinto beans, but you can also use black beans or kidney beans. It's important to get dried beans rather than canned as they have a better texture and flavor. Soak the beans overnight in water to soften them and ensure they cook evenly. This step is crucial as it helps to reduce cooking time and allows for easy mashing.
Flavorful Ingredients
The real magic of frijoles refritos lies in the flavorful ingredients used to season the beans. Onions, garlic, and jalapenos are the holy trinity of Mexican cooking and add a depth of flavor to the dish. In Diane Kennedy's recipe, these ingredients are sautéed in oil to bring out their sweetness and aroma before adding the cooked beans. She also adds a pinch of cumin and oregano to enhance the overall flavor profile.
Mashing and Frying Technique
The key to achieving the perfect texture for frijoles refritos lies in the mashing and frying technique. Using a potato masher or fork, mash the beans until they are smooth and creamy. For a chunkier consistency, leave some beans whole. Next, heat a few tablespoons of oil in a pan and add the mashed beans. Fry the beans for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until they are well combined with the flavorful ingredients and have a slightly crispy texture.
Final Touches
To give the frijoles refritos a final touch of authenticity, add a dollop of lard or bacon fat to the pan before frying. This adds a rich and smoky flavor that is commonly found in traditional Mexican refried beans. You can also top the dish with crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese for added flavor and texture.
Now that you have the secret to making perfect frijoles refritos, it's time to put this delicious recipe to the test. Serve it as a side dish or use it as a filling for your favorite Mexican dishes. With Diane Kennedy's recipe, you'll have authentic Mexican frijoles refritos that will transport your taste buds straight to Mexico.
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