Are Refried Beans Vegan?

Refried beans are not necessarily vegan as they are often made with lard. You can make them vegan by cooking aromatics in a bit of oil then adding beans, spices and water or vegetable broth and simmering until very tender.

What Kind of Beans are Best for Making Refried Beans?

Pinto beans are ideal for making refried beans as they soak up a lot of flavor from aromatics and spices plus they breakdown easily and are very creamy.

Vegan Refried Beans - The Real Recipes

Name: Vegan Refried Beans
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American/Mexican
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tsp. ground cumin; 1/2 tsp. paprika; 1/2 tsp. table salt, plus more to taste; 2 (14.5 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed (or 3 cups cooked pinto beans); 1 cup vegetable broth (or water); cilantro, lime, tomatoes and/or pickled jalapenos for garnish, if desired

Description

This recipe for Vegan Refried Beans is one of my all time favorite bean recipes. Not only is it incredibly flavorful and simple to make (literally it takes about 15 minute), but it's also a plant-based protein powerhouse.

Ingredients

Units Scale

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. table salt, plus more to taste
2 (14.5 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed (or 3 cups cooked pinto beans)
1 cup vegetable broth (or water)
cilantro, lime, tomatoes and/or pickled jalapenos for garnish, if desired

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Instructions

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until starting to turn golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, paprika and salt and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add beans and broth (or water) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a low simmer and cook, covered, until the beans are very soft and have absorbed most of the liquid, about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and mash the beans and cooking liquid with a fork or a potato masher. Serve hot garnished with cilantro, lime, tomatoes and/or pickled jalapenos, if desired.

Notes

You can make this recipe using beans you cooked yourself from scratch. Use 3 cups of precooked beans instead of 2 (14.5 oz.) cans.
Swap in black beans for pinto beans, if desired.
Serve these vegan refried beans as a side for our Sheet Pan Tofu Fajitas or our Baked Crispy Chicken Tacos.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator.

Prep Time: 5 min.
Cook Time: 15 min.
Category: Sides
Method: simmering
Cuisine: American/Mexican