Homemade Refried Beans

Ingredients

Dried pinto beans

1 cup

Water

4 cups (for cooking beans)

Vegetable oil

2 tablespoons

Onion

1 medium, chopped

Garlic

3 cloves, minced

Ground cumin

1 teaspoon

Chili powder

1 teaspoon

Black pepper

1/2 teaspoon

Salt

1 teaspoon

Cilantro

1/4 cup, chopped

Lime juice

2 tablespoons

Instructions

1. Rinse the dried pinto beans under cold water to remove any debris.
2. In a large pot, combine the rinsed beans and 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 1 hour or until the beans are tender. If needed, add more water during cooking to keep the beans submerged.
3. While the beans are cooking, heat the vegetable oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Once the beans are tender, drain them, reserving a bit of the cooking liquid. Add the cooked beans to the pan with the sautéed onion and garlic. Using a potato masher or the back of a spoon, mash the beans to your desired consistency, adding reserved cooking liquid if you prefer a creamier texture.
5. Stir in the ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and chili powder. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the flavors meld together.
6. Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice and chopped cilantro. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
7. Serve hot as a side dish, or use as a filling for burritos, tacos, or enchiladas.