Canned refried beans are a pantry staple for many home cooks. They provide a quick and easy way to make dishes like burritos, nachos, tacos, and more. But some people wonder – are canned refried beans already cooked, or do they need additional cooking before eating?
The short answer is: Yes, canned refried beans are fully cooked and ready to eat right out of the can. They go through a cooking process during the canning production. This makes canned refried beans a convenient pre-cooked ingredient to use in recipes without requiring additional cooking time.
How Are Canned Refried Beans Made?
Canned refried beans go through a multi-step process to cook and can them:
Soaking
Dry beans are first soaked in water overnight or for several hours. This rehydrates and softens the beans.
Boiling
After soaking, the beans are boiled in water for 1-3 hours. Exact boiling times depend on the variety and size of the bean. This step fully cooks the interior of the beans.
Mashing
Once boiled, some or all of the softened cooked beans are mashed to make a thick paste. Traditional refried beans are mashed, but some canned versions contain whole cooked beans.
Seasoning
Onions, garlic, salt, and other seasonings are sautéed in oil then mixed into the bean paste. Some brands add lard or bacon fat for more flavor.
Canning
The seasoned bean paste is packed into cans, sealed, and sterilized by heating to high temperatures. This final canning step completes the cooking process.
So by the time canned refried beans make it to your pantry shelf, they have already been fully cooked, mashed, and seasoned. They do not require any additional cooking before using in recipes.
Do You Have to Cook Canned Refried Beans?
Because canned refried beans are already fully cooked during the canning process, it is not necessary to cook them further before eating or using in recipes.
However, you may choose to briefly heat up canned refried beans for the following reasons:
To Warm Them Up
Canned refried beans straight from the can can be cold. Warming them up briefly on the stove or in the microwave makes them more pleasant to eat.
To Soften Further
While canned refried beans are technically cooked through, briefly heating them with added liquid helps make them even softer and smoother.
For Food Safety
Heating canned refried beans destroys any bacteria that may have developed in the can over time. This makes them safer to eat, especially for those with compromised immune systems.
For Texture and Flavor
Quickly pan-frying refried beans helps develop a nicer texture. The beans become creamier and absorb seasoning better. Additional ingredients like onions can also be cooked in for more flavor.
So heating canned refried beans before eating is optional. While not required from a safety perspective, a quick warm up can improve the taste and texture of refried beans.
How to Heat Up Canned Refried Beans
Here are easy methods to warm up canned refried beans:
On the Stovetop
Add the beans to a saucepan with a small amount of water or vegetable broth. Warm them over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 2 to 5 minutes until heated through. Mash any whole beans and adjust consistency if needed by stirring in more hot liquid. Season with salt and spices to taste.
In the Microwave
Transfer the beans to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through, about 1 to 2 minutes total. Check and adjust seasoning.
In the Oven
For a larger batch, spread the beans in a casserole dish. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes until warmed through.
On the Grill
For a smoky outdoor flavor, wrap canned beans in foil and place on a hot grill for 5 to 10 minutes, flipping once. Open the foil packet carefully to avoid steam burns.
Tips for Using Canned Refried Beans
Here are some tips for buying, storing, and using canned refried beans:
– Check the best by date and avoid cans that are badly dented or bulging.
– Store unopened cans in a cool, dry pantry. Refrigerate opened canned beans and use within 3 to 5 days.
– Give canned beans a good stir before using to distribute any liquid evenly.
– Try low sodium or no salt added versions to control the amount of added sodium.
– Look for varieties made with all natural ingredients if you want to avoid preservatives.
– Mash beans with a fork if you want a smoother texture.
– Add chicken or vegetable broth instead of water when heating to boost flavor.
– Mix in shredded cheese, salsa, chopped onions, cilantro, etc. for extra flavor.
– Use refried beans as a burrito or taco filling, dip, side dish, soup base, and more.
Recipes Using Canned Refried Beans
Canned refried beans are easy to incorporate into all kinds of delicious recipes. Here are some popular ways to use them:
Bean and Cheese Quesadillas
Spread refried beans and shredded cheese on tortillas. Pan fry quesadillas until the cheese melts. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa.
Loaded Nachos
Layer tortilla chips with refried beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, jalapeños, guacamole, etc. Bake until cheeses are melted.
Bean Dip
Stir together canned refried beans, sour cream, chopped green onions, garlic powder, and spices. Chill for the flavors to meld. Serve with tortilla chips.
Cheesy Bean and Rice Burritos
Fill flour tortillas with refried beans, rice, cheddar, salsa, and other favorite taco fillings. Roll up and enjoy.
Tex-Mex Skillet Dinner
Cook ground beef with taco seasoning. Stir in canned refried beans and enchilada sauce. Top with cheese and bake until bubbly.
Mexican Stuffed Potatoes
Bake potatoes and split open. Top with canned refried beans, cheddar, avocado, salsa, and cilantro.
Nutrition Information
Canned refried beans are high in both protein and fiber. Here is the nutrition breakdown for a 1⁄2 cup serving (130g) of canned refried pinto beans:
Calories | 115 |
---|---|
Fat | 1g |
Sodium | 380mg |
Carbs | 20g |
Fiber | 7g |
Sugars | 1g |
Protein | 7g |
Canned refried beans are high in fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B1 and B6. They contain no cholesterol or fat and are naturally low in sodium if you select no salt added varieties.
Overall, canned refried beans are a healthy and convenient pantry staple to keep stocked for quick meals. Just open the can and they are ready to eat without cooking.
Conclusion
Canned refried beans go through a cooking process during production that makes them fully cooked and ready to eat right from the can. While heating them briefly before eating can improve texture and flavor, canned refried beans can be safely consumed without any additional cooking. Their versatility, nutrition, and ease of use make canned refried beans a useful ingredient for quick weeknight meals, tacos, nachos, burritos, and more.