Homemade Bacon Refried Beans

This recipe elevates traditional refried beans with the irresistible flavor of bacon, making it a perfect side dish or topping for your favorite Mexican-inspired meals. Using simple ingredients like canned pinto beans, bacon, onion, and garlic, this dish offers a comforting and savory twist to the classic refried beans.

The bacon fat adds a rich depth of flavor, while the cumin and garlic infuse the beans with aromatic warmth. Whether served alongside tacos, burritos, or as a dip with tortilla chips, these homemade bacon refried beans are sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Homemade Bacon Refried Beans

Ingredients :

1/3 pound bacon

2 cans pinto beans (15.5 ounces each) drained and rinsed

2 Tablespoons bacon fat (reserved from cooking bacon) (or vegetable oil)

1/2 yellow onion finely diced

2 garlic cloves minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup vegetable stock (or chicken stock, or water)

Instructions:

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the bacon and set aside.

Reserve 2 Tablespoons of the bacon fat and add to a medium pot. (Alternatively, or if you do not have enough fat, use oil instead).

Heat the oil in a medium pot over medium heat.

When hot, add the onion and garlic, and cook until the onion is translucent, approximately 5 minutes.

Add the cumin and salt. Stir to combine and cook until fragrant, approximately 1 minute.

Drain and rinse the pinto beans.

Add the beans and stock to the pot. Simmer over medium heat 15 minutes for the beans to soften and begin breaking down.

Mash the beans with a potato masher to your desired consistency. Add more stock or water to make it thinner and smoother.

Chop the bacon and add to the beans. Stir to combine. Season to taste and serve warm.

Enjoy !!

Notes:

Bacon Flavor Enhancement: Cooking bacon separately before adding it to the beans allows for optimal flavor development and texture.

Bacon Fat or Oil: Using reserved bacon fat adds richness to the beans, but if unavailable, vegetable oil serves as a suitable alternative.

Aromatics: Onions and garlic are sautéed until translucent, infusing the beans with aromatic depth.

Spice Blend: Ground cumin adds earthy warmth to the dish, complementing the smokiness of the bacon.

Bean Preparation: Draining and rinsing the canned pinto beans helps remove excess sodium and starch.

Simmering Time: Allowing the beans to simmer with vegetable stock helps soften them and develop flavors, creating a creamy consistency.

Mashing Technique: Using a potato masher allows control over the beans’ texture, achieving the desired level of creaminess.

Bacon Integration: Chopped bacon is added to the mashed beans, infusing each bite with savory goodness.

Adjusting Consistency: Additional stock or water can be added to reach the desired thickness of the bean mixture.

Final Seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed before serving, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile.

Nutrition Information:

YIELDS: 6 | SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use canned beans for this recipe?

Yes, canned pinto beans work well for convenience.

Just be sure to drain and rinse them before using.

What can I use instead of bacon fat?

If you don’t have enough bacon fat, you can substitute it with vegetable oil or any other cooking oil of your choice.

Can I use dried beans instead of canned?

Yes, you can use dried beans, but you’ll need to soak and cook them separately before adding them to the recipe.

How long should I cook the bacon?

Cook the bacon until it’s crispy to your liking.

This usually takes about 8-10 minutes over medium heat.

What if I don’t have a potato masher?

If you don’t have a potato masher, you can use a fork or the back of a spoon to mash the beans.

Can I adjust the seasoning to my taste?

Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the salt, pepper, and other seasonings according to your preference.

How should I store leftover refried beans?

Store leftover beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Can I freeze homemade refried beans?

Yes, you can freeze them for longer storage.

Place them in freezer-safe containers or bags and label them with the date.

What can I serve with homemade refried beans?

They’re delicious as a side dish with tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or as a dip with tortilla chips.

Are these beans vegetarian-friendly?

If you use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock and omit the bacon, then yes, they can be vegetarian-friendly.