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Get perfectly creamy restaurant-style beans by adding just THREE extra ingredients to your canned refried beans!

Amp up your canned refried beans to serve with your favorite Mexican recipes! Refried beans are perfect served as a dip, side, or filling for burritos and tacos!

Canned refried beans topped with extra cheese.


only 3 additional ingredients

Our family uses beans for dipping, as a side dish, and for adding to all sorts of recipes—from our Tostadas to our Bean Burritos.

Yes, I know you can serve refried beans from the can, but this upgraded canned refried beans recipe calls for canned beans as well as a few other ingredients that will take the canned stuff to the next level! 

My mom and aunt make beans COMPLETELY homemade by smashing up beans and such, but we’ve found that this recipe is just as good and SO much easier.

Mind you, my family is Hispanic and we have Mexican dishes all the time, so you better believe we make these pretty often. The next time you’re enjoying a Mexican meal, make this refried beans recipe and I promise they’ll be a hit!

Ingredients for making canned refried beans even better.

How to make refried beans

This canned refried beans recipe only requires THREE additional ingredients besides the can of beans:

  • Crisco (vegetable shortening)
  • Milk
  • Cheese

MIX. Combine Beans, shortening, and milk in a pot over medium heat. Stir vigorously with a fork or wire whisk until silky smooth. Add cheese and let melt before serving.

SERVE! Enjoy with warm Tortillas or Tortilla Chips.

Other Serving Ideas

As we mentioned before, these beans aren’t good for just dipping. We love to use these beans in other recipes, such as:

Combining ingredients for making canned refried beans extra tasty.

Variations

I like using the Rosarita can of refried beans which have already combined cooked beans (usually pinto beans) with water and less than 2 percent lard, salt, vinegar, chili pepper, onion powder, and other spices.

That is just not enough flavor! This recipe elevates the taste by adding shortening, milk, and delicious cheese.

Some other variations on how to make canned refried beans better include:

  • Substitute the vegetable shortening with lard, butter, bacon grease, or coconut cream. Each one of these uses more natural ingredients than vegetable shortening however they WILL change the flavor and texture of the original recipe. Play around with the ingredient and amount until the desired result is reached. 
  • Leave out the shortening and reduce the amount of milk to about ⅓ cup or until you get a creamy consistency.
  • Spice it up with extra seasonings like garlic salt, paprika, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce. Mix in some diced jalapenos or chopped onions.
Heating and combining ingredients for canned refried beans even better.

Recipe and Storage Tips

Cheese. I personally use either shredded cheddar cheese, Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese, or a Mexican blend. Any variety that melts well will do, and it melts best if it’s shredded/grated.

Ways to use refried beans. There are unlimited ways to use this yummy refried beans recipe. Use them on the side of your favorite Mexican dish, as a dip for your Homemade Tortillas, or as a filling for your Burrito!

STORE. Keep homemade refried beans in an airtight container, or in a bowl covered tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3-4 days.

FREEZE. To keep them longer, store them in the freezer for several months. To reheat, thaw if applicable, put in a saucepan over low heat, and stir until heated through.

Canned refried beans served in a white bowl and topped with shredded cheese.

Recipe FAQ

How to make canned refried beans taste good?

This recipe elevates the taste by adding just 3 ingredients: shortening, milk, and cheese.

What spices can you add to refried beans?

The canned beans have already been seasoned with a small amount of chili pepper, onion powder, and other spices. You can add more of those same seasonings, or add different seasonings such as: cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and sea salt. Even try a dash or two of your favorite hot sauce!

How long can refried beans be left out?

These shouldn’t be left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, otherwise harmful bacteria can start to grow. Either reheat them or store them in the fridge to avoid bacteria.

For more Mexican Dip recipes, try:

5 from 29 votes

Canned Refried Beans Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Get perfectly creamy restaurant-style beans by adding just THREE extra ingredients to your Canned Refried Beans!
Servings: 6
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 30 oz Refried Beans canned
  • 1/4 cup crisco shortening
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1-2 cups cheese

Instructions 

  • Combine Beans, shortening, and milk in a pot over medium heat. Stir vigorously with a fork or wire whisk until silky smooth. Add cheese and let melt before serving. Enjoy with warm tortillas or tortilla chips.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 262kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 22mg, Sodium: 944mg, Potassium: 54mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 350IU, Calcium: 213mg, Iron: 1.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!


About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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Recipe Rating




43 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe is quick, so good and we all love them for any Mexican style meal. Multiple times this has been requested from my family for me to make for them. I use them on tacos, quesadillas, many types of burritos, tostadas and just plain straight up with a little cheese on top. Dips too. Thank you.

  2. 5 stars
    This recipe is quick, so good and we all love them for any Mexican style meal. Multiple times this has been requested from my family for me to make for them. I use them on tacos, quesadillas, many types of burritos, tostadas and just plain straight up with a little cheese on top. Thank you.

  3. 5 stars
    1st time making these and they were so easy. This reminds me of a bean dip I used to get at my local childhood restaurant. So creamy and so so good.

      1. Sorry when I try to view your videos. I can’t view them. Even when it states jump to video. Please advise
        Thanks

        1. Hi Patrice! If you scroll down the page just a bit to the heading “Only 3 Additional Ingredients” the video is embedded in the post right there and should pop up for you. It sometimes takes a second to load depending on your internet connection, but it should show up!

  4. 5 stars
    Made exactly as recipe stated…turned out very smooth and delicious… ..
    worth the short amount of time to make a canned product taste even better.