Help making refried beans, what am I doing wrong?

Question

I've been want to make a good refried bean, I've scoured the internet for recipes, read the back label of my pinto beans, and even though I am following the directions, I am obviously doing something wrong. Can someone please help me out?

I soaked my beans in cold water for about 8 hours. I then dumped out the soaking liquid and placed the beans in a slow cooker for another 8 hours with oil, water, and pork bone (for flavor). After 8 hours, I went in with a potato masher. Instead of having a nice creamy/gooey consistency, I basically have what looks like a bowl of gravel. How do you get the gooey consistency that you get in good mexican restaurants?

Please refrain from simply re-posting internet recipes, I've tried several and I still get a mouthful of rocks. I need advice from someone in the know.

Answer 1

When cooking beans at least when i do it.... to make re fried beans I buy Can black beans  I drain them I place them in a pan of cooked chopped shallots and one chopped jalapeno. i add a little water if needed not much just so the beans won't burn,, I mash the beans then add a cup or two of pepper jack cheese for the creamy beans.. you can add any Mexican cheese.. mine is more of a Vegetarian version

Answer 2

Not real sure here, but sounds like you need more liquid in them, are you leaving a little water in when you mash them?...You have to find the right amount  - too much water will make them runny,not enough will make them look dried and gravelly. I usually soak them overnight, and cook them on the stovetop for 1-2 hours.  Make sure they are very soft before you mash them - if they're too hard, they won't mash nicely.  Another tip - you can use bacon drippings for flavor instead of a bone (or put a few strips of uncooked bacon in to cook with them). Adding shredded cheese at the end makes them more gooey and also adds flavor.  Hope this helps a bit...

Answer 3

i make beans in the crock pot all the time. i use to soak the beans over night before i bought the crock pot and had to cook them on the stove. but by using the crock pot i find i no longer have to soak them.  i throw the beans in the crock pot after giving them a super good rinse, fill the crock pot with water i throw in a jalapeno, a clove of garlic some ham base , garlic salt, when the beans are done i remove the jalapeno and smash the beans with a bean smasher i usually do not remove any of the cooking liquid and it always looks like too much but it always turns out super good, if you want and you think it may have too much liquid before you smash just remove some in a cup and set aside , start smashing and keep smashing it doesn't take very long, if the feel you need more liquid just add some of the reserved broth you set to the side. i like to top my beans with shredded cheese and crumbled bacon , its delisious and the children and husband love them. good luck, hopes this helps.

Answer 4

First off there is no need to soak beans over night. Just go through the beans and remove any rocks that may be in the bag. Then cover the beans with twice as much water than you have beans and bring your water to a full rolling boil. Turn off the heat, cover and let set for 1 hour. Strain out the water then replace with fresh water or use chicken broth instead. Add 1 or 2 bay leaves, your ham hock, and any other seasonings you like. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer 2 hours, replacing liquid as necessary just to keep the beans covered with liquid. When the beans are tender keep simmering to

reduce the amount of liquid to about 2/3 to 3/4 the quanity of cooked beans. Then, put some beans and a little liquid into a food processor or blender and puree until just about smooth but not quite, pour into an empty pot. Do this with 2/3 to 3/4 of total amount of beans. Lightly process the last amount of beans. Cook the beans over medium to low heat to thicken and add some bacon grease, lard, or butter and continue cooking until fats are melted. Serve!

That's the way I make re-fried beans and it turns out every time for me. I love black beans and add oregano when i do re-fried black beans YUM!

Here's another recipe also you can try from a friend of mine. Good Luck!

Frijoles Rancheros

* 2 cups dried pinto beans

* water

* 1 cup diced bacon or salt pork

* 1 medium onion, chopped

* 2 cloves garlic, minced

* 2 T. chili powder

* 1 tsp ground cumin

* 1 tsp salt

* 1 fresh tomato, chopped

* 12 oz can beer

* 1 (4 oz) can chopped green chiles, drained

* 1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, stemmed, seeded and chopped

How To Make :

1. Wash beans well. Combine beans, beer, and water to cover beans by, Soak Overnight

2. Partially fry bacon or salt pork.

3. Add to beans and liquid in pot. Add more water if necessary. Add rest of ingredients except salt and cook about 2 hrs.

4. Add salt and cook until tender.

Answer 5

No need to soak your beans,cook em with your ham bone, do not add oil, when there dunn, add some bacon greace or lard, not oil or shortning, mash or mixer them, your down town baby.