Description
This Easy Refried Beans recipe combines creamy mashed pinto beans with smoky turkey bacon and smooth plant-based cheese for a flavorful and satisfying side dish. Perfect to serve alongside tacos, burritos, or as a dip, it is quick to prepare using simple ingredients and offers a comforting and hearty taste with every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Beans and Base
- 2 cups cooked pinto beans (drained and rinsed if canned)
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth
Smoky Aromatics
- 3 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Creaminess
- 1/3 cup shredded plant-based cheese (plant-based)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Drain and rinse canned pinto beans or cook dried beans ahead of time. Chop smoked turkey bacon into small pieces. Dice onion and mince garlic cloves finely for sautéing.
- Sauté Turkey Bacon and Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped turkey bacon and cook until crisp. Add diced onions and sauté until translucent and slightly golden. Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release aroma.
- Add Beans and Seasonings: Stir in cooked pinto beans, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Pour in a small amount of vegetable broth to soften beans and prevent sticking. Cook for a few minutes until heated through.
- Mash and Mix: Using a potato masher or the back of a fork, mash the beans in the pan to the desired consistency, smooth or slightly chunky. Gradually add more broth as needed to loosen the mixture.
- Add Plant-Based Cheese and Final Seasoning: Stir in shredded plant-based cheese while beans are still warm, allowing it to melt and blend. Adjust salt and black pepper to taste for balanced seasoning.
- Serve Warm: Remove from heat and serve immediately while warm, ideal alongside Mexican dishes or as a dip.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and onion for best flavor.
- Add vegetable broth slowly to avoid making the beans too soupy.
- Mash beans gradually to reach preferred texture.
- Adjust cumin and smoked paprika amounts to taste.
- Keep beans warm on low heat or add extra broth before serving as they thicken when cooling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: refried beans, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon, easy side dish, Mexican side, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), smoky flavor, creamy beans
