This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
About This Recipe
Want to make the best refried beans in less than 15 minutes? Try this refried beans hack to make restaurant-quality refried beans at home without having to spend hours in the kitchen soaking and simmering beans! All you need is a you need is a cheap can of refried beans and a few other simple ingredients to make them taste just like homemade!
This refried bean recipe is ridiculously easy to make and it taste just like (or better than!) what you’d get at your local Mexican restaurants! Plus, refried beans are packed with both fiber and protein so they’re the perfect addition to serve along side any of your favorite Mexican dishes (think tacos, quesadillas, fajitas, etc) or I love to even just enjoy it with some chips as a creamy, filling dip!
Why You’ll Love These Easy Refried Beans
- No soaking required: By starting with a can of refried beans you can skip hours of soaking and simmering beans.
- Quick and easy: Make these refried beans taste just like your favorite Mexican restaurant in less than 15 minutes!
- Ultra creamy: No dried beans here! The sour cream and melted cheese ensure these beans have an irresistibly smooth and creamy texture!
- Super flavorful: The combination of hot sauce and taco seasoning give these beans great flavor and can easily be adjusted to your heat preferences.
- Perfect for everything: Use these beans as a side dish to your favorite tacos or enchiladas or throw them in your favorite burritos or quesadilla. You can also enjoy them as a bean dip with chips!
- Canned refried beans: Any canned refried beans will work! I tend to use vegetarian refried beans so there minimal ingredients for the best flavor.
- Sour cream: I used light sour cream but you can also use regular! The sour cream adds both creaminess and tanginess to these beans as well as helps give them that restaurant-like consistency! You could also sub for greek yogurt (higher protein) or cream cheese if you want an even creamier texture!
- Hot sauce: Use your favorite hot sauce! I used the mild Taco Bell hot sauce (my favorite for all things Mexican!) but any hot sauce like Cholula, Tapatío, or Valentina will work. Feel free to adjust the spice level to your preference!
- Taco seasoning mix: Adds tons of flavor to these beans! Use your favorite store-bought packet or homemade taco seasoning.
- Cheese: I used freshly shredded monterey jack cheese. I highly recommend using fresh shredded for best flavor/meltiness! You can also sub for shredded cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese for even more kick!
- Cheese: Top these beans with a sprinkle of cotija cheese or queso fresco.
- Mix-ins: Mix in diced onion, jalapeno, bell pepper or a can of diced green chile for even more flavor!
- Refried black beans: Most restaurant-style beans are made with refried pinto beans but feel free to try this recipe with a can of refried black beans for a fun twist!
- Dairy-free: Use dairy-free sour cream and dairy-free cheese.
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Add the refried beans, sour cream, hot sauce and taco seasoning mix to a bowl.
2. Use a hand mixer to mix until combined and creamy.
3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Transfer refried beans to an oven safe dish. Sprinkle the cheese over top.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 6-8 minutes, until the cheese is melted and beans are warmed through. Serve with tortilla chips or enjoy as a side to tacos, quesadillas… all your Mexican favorites!
Microwave Instructions
- Add the refried beans, sour cream, hot sauce and taco seasoning mix to a bowl. Use a hand mixer to mix until combined and creamy.
- Transfer refried beans to a microwave safe dish. Microwave for one minute, stir and microwave another minute or until heated through. Remove and top with cheese.
Store leftover refried beans in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop until heated through (you may need to add a splash of broth or milk to maintain the creamy texture).
To freeze: Let beans cool completely, then store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat before serving.
What To Serve With Cheater Restaurant Style Beans
- Tacos: Serve these creamy refried beans as the perfect side dish to my Mexican Street Corn Carnitas Tacos, High Protein Chicken Tacos, Salsa Chicken Tacos, or Mahi Mahi Tacos!
- Quesadillas: Enjoy these refried beans with my Grilled Chicken Quesadilla or throw them in a flour tortilla with some cheese for a delicious bean and cheese quesadilla!
- Enchiladas: There’s nothing better than a classic Chicken Enchilada! Serve these high protein enchiladas with a side of beans for even more fiber and protein! Or try these fun Chicken Enchilada Sliders for a tasty bite-sized snack!
- Fajitas: An easy way to make fajita night even better! Enjoy these beans on the side or throw them in your tortilla with all the delicious fajita fixins’!
- Taco braid: This easy Taco Braid is a fun way to mix up taco night! Serve with these refried beans and my Cilantro Lime Brown Rice for the the best meal!
- Taco salad: Sub the black beans for these refried beans on my favorite Taco Salad for extra creaminess!
- Breakfast tacos: Have you tried beans for breakfast? They’re honestly the best! Packed with fiber and protein adding beans as a side to these Breakfast Tacos will keep you full all morning long!
- Chips: You can’t go wrong with enjoying these refried beans with traditional tortillas chips and a side of queso!
What makes these “cheater” refried beans?
This easy recipe is often called “cheater” refried beans because it starts using canned beans and adds a few simple ingredients like sour cream, hot sauce and cheese to make them taste like authentic restaurant quality refried beans—without the long process of soaking, simmering and cooking homemade refried beans.
Can I make refried black beans using this recipe?
Yes! Although traditional restaurant beans are made with refried pintos you can definitely grab a can of refried black beans for this recipe!! I love both so feel free to use your preference.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes you can easily make this refried beans recipe ahead of time. Just make as directed then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat with a splash of broth or water to maintain the creamy consistency.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
How To Make Canned Refried Beans Taste Better
Ingredients
- 16 oz. can refried beans
- 1/2 cup light sour cream (120g)
- 2 Tbsp hot sauce (30g) I used Taco Bell mild
- 2 tsp taco seasoning mix
- 1.5 oz monterey jack cheese packed 1/3 cup freshly shredded
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes. Scroll for macros and MyFitnessPal code.
Instructions
- Add the refried beans, sour cream, hot sauce and taco seasoning mix to a bowl. Use a hand mixer to mix until combined and creamy.
- To heat in oven: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Transfer refried beans to an oven safe dish. Sprinkle the cheese over top. Bake in preheated oven for 6-8 minutes, until the cheese is melted and beans are warmed through.
- To heat in microwave: Transfer refried beans to a microwave safe dish. Microwave for one minute, stir and microwave another minute or until heated through. Remove and top with cheese.
- Serve with tortilla chips or enjoy as a side to tacos, quesadillas… all your Mexican favorites!
Notes
- Tacos: Serve these creamy refried beans as the perfect side dish to my Mexican Street Corn Carnitas Tacos, High Protein Chicken Tacos, Salsa Chicken Tacos, or Mahi Mahi Tacos!
- Quesadillas: Enjoy these refried beans with my Grilled Chicken Quesadilla or throw them in a flour tortilla with some cheese for a delicious bean and cheese quesadilla!
- Enchiladas: There’s nothing better than a classic Chicken Enchilada! Serve these high protein enchiladas with a side of beans for even more fiber and protein! Or try these fun Chicken Enchilada Sliders for a tasty bite-sized snack!
- Fajitas: An easy way to make fajita night even better! Enjoy these beans on the side or throw them in your tortilla with all the delicious fajita fixins’!
- Taco braid: This easy Taco Braid is a fun way to mix up taco night! Serve with these refried beans and my Cilantro Lime Brown Rice for the the best meal!
- Taco salad: Sub the black beans for these refried beans on my favorite Taco Salad for extra creaminess!
- Breakfast tacos: Have you tried beans for breakfast? They’re honestly the best! Packed with fiber and protein adding beans as a side to these Breakfast Tacos will keep you full all morning long!
- Chips: You can’t go wrong with enjoying these refried beans with traditional tortillas chips and a side of queso!
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
