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Bowl of canned refried beans that are like restaurant style with with garnishes.

Restaurant-Style Refried Beans (from canned refried beans)

Tami McBride
Learn how to make canned refried beans taste like restaurant style beans with a few simple tricks. Instead of a thick plop of canned beans, serve smooth, creamy, delicious refried beans.
4.74 from 23 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side Dish
Servings 6 servings
Calories 112 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil or use butter, bacon fat, or lard
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder or 2 smashed garlic cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon oregano
  • Sliced jalapeno optional
  • 1 30 oz. can of refried beans
  • 1 to 1½ cups of heavy cream or use half and half, milk, chicken broth, or water
  • juice from ½ a lime

Instructions
 

  • HEAT the oil or fat in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • ADD the spices when the hot oil begins to sizzle. Reduce to medium heat.
  • STIR and cook in the hot oil for about 3 minutes.
  • ADD the smashed garlic cloves and sliced jalapenos, if using. Cook over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • OPEN a 30-ounce can of refried beans. Stir the beans into the fat and spices.
  • POUR 1 cup of heavy cream (or the liquid of your choice) into the beans. Stir ingredients.
  • COVER with a lid. Heat over medium-low heat for 5 to 6 minutes. The beans should start to heat and the cream bubble.
  • TAKE off the lid and stir to incorporate the cream into the beans. It will be hard to stir in the cream until the beans start to warm up. Add more liquid, if necessary. Replace the lid.
  • TURN the heat to low. Cook for another 5 minutes. When the beans are hot and bubbly, add a splash of lime juice and stir again. When the cream is completely stirred into the beans, replace the lid and heat for 2 minutes.
  • REMOVE from the heat. Place in a serving bowl.
  • GARNISH with shredded cheese, minced cilantro, and sliced jalapenos.
  • SERVE with additional toppings such as fat free sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and tortilla chips.
  • Microwave Instructions
  • SPOON the canned beans into a microwaveable bowl.
  • ADD ½ cup of cream, milk, or half and half. Stir.
  • MICROWAVE for 1½ minutes.
  • REMOVE from the microwave. Then add your spices and stir.
  • RETURN to the microwave and heat for another 1½ minutes, or until the beans are hot and the cream can be easily stirred into them.
  • GARNISH and serve.

Notes

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Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 112kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 4gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 203mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8g
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