How To: Make Canned Refried Beans Taste like a Restaurant’s
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Turn a can of refried beans into restaurant quality in a matter of minutes! Only two simple add-ins and it’ll feel like you’re eating at your favorite Mexican restaurant, right at home!
Mexican food is far and beyond my MOST FAVORITE food. I never seem to tire of it. Typically when you ask someone what their favorite restaurant is, it’s something they think of that is really special, like a special occasion type of thing. Not me. I always say my favorite little Mexican place. The margaritas are good, the Dos Equis Amber is cold, the chips and salsa are homemade and the food is FABULOUS!
(plus I don’t have to dress up if I don’t feel like it, no judging, just good food.)
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I love how the refried beans at a Mexican place are so creamy and taste so much better than the canned stuff. Did you know though, that making the canned ones TASTE like the restaurant ones is super duper easy? How do you say easy in Spanish? — “fácil”
I used to have a friend many years ago that was Mexican, and she was a fantastic cook. She told me that adding milk to the canned beans was her mom’s secret, and that works, too. I have to say, though that adding sour cream is even better! It gives them just a slight tang with a smooth creaminess to them.
This is one of my MOST POPULAR recipes on my site. It happened almost instantly. Who couldn’t love something so very simple?? Only 3 ingredients, and in no time, you will have a piping hot bowl of Restaurant Style Refried Beans. Top them with cheese, like we do, to make them even better!
I’ll Drink to that!
Using this recipe, you can quickly turn these beans into a Restaurant Style Bean Dip!
Serve them up as a side dish or with a bowl of chips for dipping. Either way, it’s a “ganador” (WINNER) of a recipe! I always buy the Old El Paso Fat-Free Refried beans, they always turn out perfectly, and they are lower in fat and have loads of fiber! You can even use fat free sour cream and make these even more guilt free!
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Ready? Let’s cook! 
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How To: Make Canned Refried Beans Taste like a Restaurant's
Ingredients
- 16 ounce can Refried Beans
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1-3 teaspoons of hot sauce depending on the heat you want
- shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In saucepan on the stove, or in a microwaveable bowl, stir ingredients together and cook until heated through.
- Top with cheese and serve.
- *Note: I use fat free beans and fat free sour cream and it works great!*
- Can also be baked with cheese on top and makes a great (and EASY) dip!
They are soooo good! My family loved them! So creamy and delicious! I will never make them from scratch again. I served them with Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas, Mexican rice and a lettuce salad. Thank you so much!
That sounds like one amazing meal, Joy! Thank you for your feedback!
I tried to subscribe but it wouldn’t let me
You have some great recipes!
I appreciate that and I would love to send them to your inbox! If you are on desktop you can subscribe at the top of the homepage and there is another spot right in the middle of the page. On Mobile, it’s about halfway down the homepage. If you continue to have trouble, please drop me a note in my contact form, I am happy to help!
Michaela, I would also like your recipes to my inbox but it would not take it so following your instructions & leaving a note here. I’m very interested in some Mexican recipes similar to our favorites from our favorite Mexican restaurant. Your Refried Beans sound & look so tasty. Thanks
Good
Hi! Can I use plain yogurt instead of sour cream? I have some leftover plain yogurt and I thought that I would use that as a substitute. Thanks! Patrice
That should work just fine!
Made the consistency of the beans too watery IMO. Taste was nice but ended up adding another can of beans to help. Would not make again…
Interesting. I have never personally had this happen, nor have I had anyone that said that. I supposed it could be just the difference in brands/products used. If you enjoyed the taste, maybe add a little of the sour cream and hot sauce at a time until you personally like the consistency?
I think they’re wonderful! Maybe it was the brand of sour cream you used?
Do we drain the beans?
Refried beans shouldn’t have much liquid. I just use them from the can as is.
Thanks for the recipe! I think this will be the perfect consistency for nachos!😀
I agree!!
These refried beans are definitely restaurant worthy! So delish!
Since I’m new to making canned refried beans, what hot sauce do you use? I love how they taste. You’re recipe is spot on. But they could use a kick. Thank you for your recipe and help!!
I use whatever is in my fridge! I like them a little spicier, the hubs not so much. You can use a hot taco sauce or any hot sauce you prefer!
If using milk, how much?
I typically use the same amount as the sour cream – but you can adjust to your liking based on how thick or thin you want them to be. 🙂
I’m not a cook and at the risk of sounding like those annoying home chefs that say things like, “I love this recipe, but I added….” and they go on to explain how they basically created a new recipe, which enrages me, I did need to add something other than hot sauce because my wife and her mother cringe at anything hotter than sour cream. I added Ortega Taco Sauce (mild of course) because I had it and I actually do really like it, and these were THE BEST home refried beans we’ve ever had! I got RAVE reviews about them. I can’t thank you enough for walking me through this.
What a nice comment! Thanks, Eric! I have some of that sauce in my fridge, too! 🙂 I am super happy that you liked them! Thank you for taking the time to share.
I found this recipe after searching for a way to doctor up plain refried beans. So glad I did, we loved it! I used Taco Bell mild sauce in place of hot sauce. Thank you for a simple recipe!
That mild sauce is my kids’ go-to sauce!! I always have it on hand. SO thrilled you loved it! Thanks for commenting!
This recipe was so quick and so delicious! I have printed it out so I can make it again!
I am so happy that you enjoyed them! They are my go-to. We used this recipe for tostadas last week. Yummy! I appreciate you leaving a comment. 🙂
When I read the title to this recipe I was skeptical, but damn if she wasn’t correct. Adding the sour cream makes a world of difference. I can’t believe I wasted years eating refried beans without doing so.
Ha ha! Love it!! Thanks for the comment and I am so happy the rest of your life will be spent eating super tasty refried beans! 🙂
Had 16 people over for Fajita’s and used this recipe! I quadrupled the recipe and used Valentina Mexican hot sauce and everyone loved it!
Yay!! What a great way to entertain friends! Fajitas are so yummy – and I am super happy that you loved the bean recipe! 🙂