This recipe for crockpot refried beans is the best! Our girls spoon it up and eat it plain, it’s that good. I like to blend it smooth like a bean dip. It’s great for a 7 layer-dip if you’re thinking ahead for healthy Super Bowl snacks. Don’t forget to make this 5-minute baked tortilla chips for a healthy dipping tool. These beans are also perfect for spreading on a quesadilla, just add cheese.
-
- 7-layer bean dip with sneaky plain yogurt instead of sour cream
-
- Light salad with baked chips and bean dip
-
- Easy oven baked corn tortilla chips
❤️I love beans❤️
Yes, I do love easily but also, beans are:
- Loaded with protein – good for us
- Full of fiber – fill us up
- Natural – come from the earth not a machine
- Tasty!!
-
- Random factoid – a 1.5 pound (24 oz) bag of beans fills 2 pint sized Kerr mason jars
-
- Some folks like to soak beans over night before cookin’
In case ya didn’t know, refried beans are made from pinto beans, also known as chili beans. We love our chili beans! Refried beans from a can, however, are kinda gross. There are some restaurants around here that make decent tasting beans but there’s no telling whether they have added animal fat for flavoring.
Hope I’ve convinced you to try making your own refried beans – it’s super easy. Just grab a bag ‘o beans, some vegetable broth, onions, garlic, and some good spices.
-
- This is what it looks like after about 2 hours in the crockpot, half way through cook cycle
-
- What it looks like after about 5 hours in the crockpot – beans are cooked and soft
-
- Blend up the cooked beans for a bean dip consistency
What makes this recipe extra delicious is the spice combo. Spices have no calories! ? They do have a shelf life though so be sure yours are fresh. Here are the spices I used for this recipe (plus salt and pepper).
Spices make or break a dish – stick with these and you’ll be in good shape ?
An added bonus of making your own refried beans is that it’s super economical. 1 pound of dried beans = 2 cups dried beans = 6 cups of cooked beans!! My hubby, Bob, is in the lending business and he is all about saving. We have 2 teens and college is right around the corner so it’s a good thing. Bob’s nick-name is ‘value guy’. Value guy likes the math of these beans!!
If that’s way too many beans for you to use at once, freeze ’em –
Store extra cooked refried beans in glass Tupperware – makes for easy microwave reheating
Crockpot Refried Beans
Easy and healthy, this crockpot recipe for refried beans is very versatile. You can use the beans as a dip, in quesadillas, in tacos, and more. Our kids like to eat it plain, it's that good!
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds dry pinto beans (24 ounce bag)
- 3 c. vegetable broth
- 3 c. water
- 2 t. crushed fresh garlic
- 1/4 c. lemon juice plus the juice of 1/2 a fresh lemon
- 1/4 can of diced green chilis
- 1 large chopped onion
- 3 t. salt
- 1 t. chipotle chili powder
- 1 t. ground cumin
- 1/4 t. ground black pepper
- 1 t. roasted garlic powder
- 1 t. toasted onion powder
- 1/2 to 1 dropper full of liquid stevia
Instructions
- Bake the chopped onions in a 400 degree F oven for 10-12 minutes on tin foil coated with spray oil - move it around with a spatula every few minutes
- Add fresh garlic to onions for 2 minutes more minutes in the oven to toast garlic
- Set cooked onions and garlic aside to cool
- Add beans, vegetable broth, water, and spices to crockpot
- Set the crockpot on high for 5 hours (less time if beans are soaked over night)
- Set the stir feature on your crockpot (if your crockpot has that feature)
- Add more water after 2 to 3 hours if needed - I did not add any extra water
- Add cooked onion and garlic and stir
- Remove lid of crockpot after 5 hours
- Stir and let cool
- Add a touch of stevia if desired
- Blend in blender for desired consistency - I blend my beans into a smooth dip
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 445Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1557mgCarbohydrates: 83gFiber: 19gSugar: 10gProtein: 25g
Oh wow, I have never made my own refried beans! I purchase canned organic and they are just so-so. Just this morning I spread some on a corn tortilla, then layered on an egg white vege omelette. I’ll try your crock pot home made version. Thanks!
Sounds like a healthy breakfast, yum! Yes Care-bear, you must try these! So much better than out of a can. I am defrosting some from my last batch as I type this and plan to use for a fun, lightened up 7 layer dip for our dancing girls carpool today. Stay tuned and let me know how yours turn out! ✨
Hi Bita,
I love refried beans, and this recipe sounds delicious and simple! Before I try it out, I have a couple of questions. When do you add the spices and roasted onion and garlic? After the beans have cooked for 2 to 3 hours, or right after you put the beans in the crockpot? Order of steps is a bit confusing to me. Also, stevia is listed as the last ingredient, but stevia is not mentioned in the instructions–do you really add stevia to your refried beans? If so, when should it be added?
Thank you for posting this and the other healthful recipes. I just subscribed to your blog, and I’m looking forward to more!
Peace, happiness, and good health to you and your family,
Kim
Hi Kim, welcome to Oven Hug! Great questions and points. I add the spices right at the beginning along with the water and broth. I add the onions and garlic at the 2 to 3 hour stirring point, once the beans have started to soften. I will clarify all this in the instructions. Yes, I do really add stevia to my refried beans! I like them to be just a tad sweet and spicy. I will add that step now as well although it’s entirely optional. Let me know how it turns out for you! You are kind to offer peace and good health to us. Sending you good energy as well. Hope you will enjoy the beans and the recipes to come! ✨ Bita
Thanks ..i am going to definitely try this one ..sounds way healthier than the canned refried beans
Hi Shilpi! Great to hear from you. It really is delicious. I made it into a healthy layer dip last night and our girls loved it. I put the beans on the bottom as the base, then salsa fresco and fresh guac, topped with plain yogurt and light cheese. Served with the baked corn tortillas… It was a hit! Let me know how yours turns out. I hope you and your family enjoy this bean dip as much as we have. ✨Bita
it took a few tries, but we finally got the spices juuuust right.
restaurant quality refried beans!
Mr. Bob! The hubby posts a comment, how cute ? You must be missing us and the tasty eats on your biz trip this week. You missed out on some good 7-layer dip made with those beans. Don’t worry, there’s more where that came from! – xo