The Unexpected Way Refried Beans Got Their Name
If you're a fan of Mexican food, you've probably eaten refried beans quite a few times. This food is a common accompaniment to burritos, tacos, and other tasty Tex-Mex or Mexican dishes. Along with being hearty and delicious, beans also provide lots of nutrients that are essential for health and wellness. Derived from pinto beans, refried beans are a great source of fiber and protein, as well as important minerals like zinc and iron. These nutrients support good heart health, help regulate blood sugar, and promote healthy digestion.
Known as frijoles refritos in Spanish, refried beans are believed to have originated in northern Mexico about a century ago. In addition to seasonings like cumin and chili powder, refried beans can also be fried with onion and garlic for even bolder flavors. As for the name refried beans, most people assume that means the beans are fried not once but twice. However, this belief actually stems from a common misunderstanding of the Spanish language.
Regarding the 're' in refried beans
Both English and Spanish share the prefix re, as illustrated by the words refritos and refried. However, the prefix does not mean the same thing in English as it does in Spanish. To English speakers, re is typically understood to mean again. As a result, most assume that refried beans are fried two separate times during the cooking process. In Spanish, the prefix actually translates to very. Accordingly, refritos are not fried two times, but they are very fried.
In addition to canned beans, you can also use dried beans to make this dish. In this case, it's a good idea to soak your beans prior to cooking to ensure they achieve the proper texture. The beans must also be boiled in water before frying, ensuring they can be effectively mashed into a paste while frying. Be sure to save some of the boiled bean water to add to the frying pan, in addition to other ingredients like onions and seasoning. If you're pressed for time and would rather use canned beans during dinner, there are a few ways you can amp up the flavor.
How to make the perfect canned beans
Refried beans, made from scratch, usually offer the very best tastes and textures. However, the process is a lot more labor-intensive and takes more time to complete. Fortunately, there are some great kitchen hacks that allow you to enhance canned refried beans exponentially. Because canned beans tend to be on the thicker side, adding a liquid can help thin them out quite a bit. In addition to water, you can also add something like vegetable broth for a boost of flavor. You generally want to add about one cup of whatever liquid you choose to a 30-ounce can.
It's also recommended that you add in some fat, typically butter or oil. If you have any bacon grease on-hand, it's perfect for frying up a pan of beans. You can also bloom your spices and seasonings in the fat to really bring out their inherent flavors. To do so, place your fat into a hot frying pan and add spices. Allow the spices to cook for a few minutes to release their fragrant oil. Once cooked, feel free to add cheese to the refried beans. For a bit of spice, you can also add jalapeño peppers. Now you'll have restaurant-quality refried beans to accompany your next Mexican-inspired meal.