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!

 
 

Restaurant Style Refried Beans

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.)

 

Restaurant Style Refried Beans

^^ LOVE IT? PIN IT!!!! ^^

 

 

how to make canned refried beans taste like a restaurant

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.

 

 

Restaurant Style Refried Beans

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!

Copy Cat El Bee's Margarita
Copy Cat El Bee’s Margarita -Only 3 ingredients make up our favorite El Bee’s margaritas. Delicious, but beware, they pack a punch!

 

 

Strawberry Margarita
Strawberry Margarita -Perfectly sweet Sauza Strawberry Margaritas — made by the pitcher, perfect for poolside sipping.

 

Blueberry Margarita
Blueberry Margarita Pureed fresh or frozen blueberries, lime simple syrup and your favorite tequila and you are on your way to a pitcher of seriously delicious sipping!

 

Bean Dip
Restaurant Style Bean Dip

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!

 

 

 

Texas Trash Dip An Affair from the Heart
Warm Bean Dip: a.k.a. TEXAS TRASH DIP One of my MOST POPULAR Recipes ever!

 

 

Love MEXICAN like I do?  I have TONS of MEXICAN RECIPES to share with you.  I hope that you will stay and browse a while.

When you’re done there, you can pop over to my MEXICAN RECIPE Pin Board on Pinterest for more great recipes!

“Dump” Salsa Tastes just like your favorite Mexican Restaurant’s fresh salsa – made right in your blender!

 

 

Ready?  Let’s cook! M.

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Overhead of Restaurant Style Refried Beans in a black bowl
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How To: Make Canned Refried Beans Taste like a Restaurant's

Whether you serve these refried beans up as a side dish, or a dip, you will love how easy it is to make a can of refried beans TASTE like they came from your favorite Mexican restaurant!
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: How To: Make Canned Refried Beans Taste like a Restaurant's
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 112kcal
Author: Michaela Kenkel

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!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 377mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g
 

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113 Comments

  1. 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!

    1. 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!

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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…

    1. 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?

  5. 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!!

  6. 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.

    1. 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.

  7. 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!

  8. 5 stars
    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.

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