5 Reasons You Didn’t Make Refried Beans from Scratch But You Need To Now

Refried beans from scratch are so good and so easy that you will be wondering why you haven’t ever made them before! Don’t question it, this easy refried beans recipe is big enough for any large family or for your biweekly meal prep!

Making homemade refried beans in the instant pot is an easy way to get healthy protein in your meals, prep for school lunches, or quick dinners on the go. Did I mention refried beans from scratch are BUDGET FRIENDLY? This inflation buster recipe uses pinto beans as the main ingredient keeping you and your pocketbook lean!

This post is all about refried beans from scratch!

Healthy Micro Superstars Featured in Refried beans from scratch

This post may contain affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kait’s Cupboard! For more details click here to read my privacy policy. 

Homemade refried beans are so cheap and can be really healthy too! A pound of dried pinto beans is less than $2.00 at most stores and can serve 8-10 people! Did I mention how healthy pinto beans are? Yeah, refried beans are going to be your next staple recipe for weekly lunch and dinner prep!

Did you think refried beans weren’t healthy? While the ones you get from your favorite Mexican restaurant may contain preservatives, harmful cooking oils, and unhealthy fats, this recipe for refried beans from scratch is VERY HEALTHY for you and your gut.

Are Refried Beans Healthy? Yes!

The calories from refried beans are plant based and a healthy protein source. So, you’ll feel happily full without the added bloat.

Pinto beans are chocked full of fiber supporting your gut health. Getting enough fiber in your diet can support your heart health, digestion, help you maintain or lose weight, and keep your blood sugar stable.

Every Refried Beans Recipe Starts with Pinto Beans

Refried Beans from Scratch Contain Important Antioxidants

Kaempherol is a primary component in pinto beans which means it is also a primary gut healthy superstar in refried beans from scratch! Kaempherol is an antioxidant, and has been linked to decreased risk of chronic diseases including cerebrovascular disease, or your blood flow (Knekt et al., 2002). It also contains other polyphenols and flavonoids, antioxidants that protect you from disease (Lobo et al., 2010).

Refried Beans Homemade May Regulate Your Blood Sugar

Pinto beans have been shown to regulate blood sugar. In a randomized clinical study on individuals with Type II diabetes, pinto beans showed significant improvement to regulating sugar levels (Thompson et al., 2012). Given that they have a low glycemic index, pinto beans are able to digest slowly. Slow digestion keeps blood sugar from spiking and keeps your energy levels more consistent over time (Thompson et al., 2012). Another study on the impact of food on our blood sugar levels found similar results (Ojo et al., 2018). So, opt for a refried bean burrito or quesadilla to feel full, longer!

Refried Beans Nutrition Could Lower Your Cholesterol and Blood Pressure

Eating about 1/2 a cup of pinto beans daily may lower your cholesterol (Finley et al., 2007; Winham et al., 2007). Doctors found across several studies, a reduction in people’s cholesterol as they ate pinto beans regularly. Though these were small studies, doctors saw an improvement in the good to bad ratio of cholesterol within study participants.

Even more, pinto beans are a good source for magnesium and potassium both of which can support regulating blood pressure. Another excellent source for magnesium and potassium is kale. For more on that, check out my post on kale’s health benefits here!

Refried Beans Calories Are Low, and Could Lead to Weight Loss

Finally, pinto beans could support weight loss or maintaining your weight (Papanikolaou & Fulgoni, 2008). As a good source of protein and fiber, pinto beans can help you feel full longer (McCrory et al., 2010).

More Refried Beans Ingredients

This homemade refried beans recipe includes pinto beans, garlic, vegetable (or bean) stock, onion, and seasonings. If you’re not sure where to find vegetable stock, you can find it in the soup aisle at most local grocery stores. Or, you can order it on Amazon here and pick it up at your local Whole Foods.

Homemade Refried Beans Recipe with Garlic 1300

Garlic is full of healthy micro superhero bacteria including allicin, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and Manganese. These superhero micro bacteria work inside your gut to keep you healthy. Garlic supports your immune system, decreases high blood pressure and cholesterol, and even can jumpstart your energy levels! 

What are raw garlic health benefits? 

Learning how food benefits our bodies, can help you make better choices. So, when you’re deciding between:

• take out or cooking
• minced garlic vs. fresh garlic while grocery shopping 

You can make choices that will benefit your gut health without sacrificing on anything.  Little choices add up! Bring balance to your life, and make small healthy changes that will provide big results over time! 

Fresh Garlic vs Minced Garlic Health Benefits

Should you be using fresh garlic? Or, is it okay to buy minced garlic in a jar? If you’re like me and looking for short cuts, jarred minced garlic feels SO MUCH EASIER. It’s still kind of fresh, more fresh than garlic powder, it lasts longer than a fresh head of garlic, and it doesn’t have to be chopped. Meaning time saver. 

PROBLEM WITH MINCED GARLIC

Unfortunately, jarred garlic loses a significant amount of the special healthy micro superheroes that make garlic healthy for you, enter Allicin. 

Allicin is a healthy superhero in garlic that is really good for you. However, garlic stored in water at room temperature loses half of its allicin in 6 days. And, garlic stored in vegetable oil lost half of its allicin in less than an hour.

DR. KAIT (SEE FUJISAWA ET AL., 2008 FOR ALL THE DEETS)

So, the minced garlic you buy at the store has certainly at least half if not less than half the allicin as compared to fresh garlic. Doctors did find that minced garlic stored in jars may have some of the immune boosting and cancer reducing benefits (Fujisawa et al., 2008). 

Find Garlic Fresh at Your Local Farmer’s Market or Grocery Store

You can find garlic at most grocery stores including Aldi where you can get a bag of 4-5 heads.

You can find fresh organic garlic at Whole Foods. Order it online and pick it up curbside!

Fresh Garlic is a staple ingredient!

Not sure what to do with your fresh garlic? I like to use press it with the side of my butcher knife to crack the skin. Then, place the garlic clove in your favorite garlic press to mince your garlic with zero fuss.

You can order a garlic press from Amazon here. I like this one because it is easier to wash than a traditional garlic press.

Or, if you prefer the traditional garlic press, OXO has a fantastic one that will last forever. You can find it on Amazon here.

Kitchen Tools Required for Easy Refried Beans

The Instant Pot can help you actually eat healthy in a manageable way that fits into your lifestyle. How? It can take veggies and beans and cook them quickly to perfection. You can cook like your grandma, or great-grandma without all the behind the scenes effort they used to expend! 

The Best Instant Pot Refried Beans

Instead of soaking beans overnight before cooking them for hours the following day, throw dried beans into the Instant Pot and press the beans button. Seriously, it’s that straight forward. Fast forward 30 minutes and you have perfectly cooked beans with ZERO FUSS and all the health benefits! Want to know more about the Instant Pot? Check out my post on What No One Tells You About EASY Instant Pot Benefits!

Use the Immersion Blender to Get the Same Consistency as Refried Beans from a Can!

You can use the immersion blender to blend this refried beans recipe to perfection. Really! It works for any soup, sauce, smoothie, bean mixture, and more. The immersion blender can puree, lightly blend, or mix. The top easily snaps onto the base. It immerses down into whatever you’re mixing, hence the name! 

Finding the best immersion blender can save you time and mess. Instead of transferring soups, smoothies, beans, sauces, etc from one pot or pan to a blender or food processor, just use the immersion blender! For more on all the benefits of this essential kitchen tool, check out The Best Immersion Blender that will Make Cooking Insanely Easier.

Best Refried Beans Recipe on Kait’s Cupboard

Not sure what to make with your refried beans from scratch? Try making bean and cheese quesadillas for quick easy lunches at the ready.

Are Refried Beans Gluten Free? Yes!

Check out this amazing Roasted and Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe with a Lime Vinaigrette! Combining your favorite ingredients all in one dish, this recipe includes refried beans from scratch, black beans, lime, onion and garlic, and of course cheese, you can top with some leafy greens and cherry tomatoes or serve à la carte. This recipe has all the flavors of your local Mexican restaurant without the grease.

Refried Beans from Scratch are a Staple Recipe

If you’re looking for lunches that are peanut free refried beans from scratch in a cheese quesadilla is a game changer! Try making this ahead of time about every two weeks. This easy refried beans recipe is baby and kid approved. Looking for a refried bean dip? Serve warm with tortilla chips. Instant Pot refried beans are a staple recipe to add to your favorites!

If you love Kait’s Cupboard help spread the word! Share it with your friends and follow me on Pinterest and Instagram! 

Take Care! Dr. Kait

---