Refried Beans are easily one of the most classic and go-to sides within that joy that is Mexican cuisine. I like them in my burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and mixed in with some yellow rice. Basically, you you name it and I love when they are companions. I already have a more traditional recipe but here I take the flavor to new heights using Better Than Bouillon Sofrito Base from the Culinary Collection. Sofrito is a blend of roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic and cilantro and it is pure bliss when give the broth treatment. I also give you choices on how thick or thin you like your refried beans so you’re in full control of their texture and consistency!
This post was sponsored by Better Than Bouillon/Summit Hill Foods.
Watch The Video!
Make The Sofrito Broth
Sauté Away
Adding the Broth & Beans
Under Pressure
Do You Want Your Beans Thicker or Thinner?
NOTE: If you want your beans on the very thick side, ladle out about 2-3 cups of the broth from the pot into a glass measuring cup and set aside. If you want them on the thinner side (how I personally like mine), you can keep everything as is.
Mash It Up
NOTE: If you didn’t remove any of the broth prior to mashing, it’s going to appear very thin. But bear in mind that as the innards of the beans are smashed into the broth, they will continue to absorb the broth as it rests and cools, thickening over the next hour. If you did reserve the broth and find it too thick, you can add some broth back in as you mash until it’s to your liking.
The Finishing Touches
The Taste Test
Instant Pot Sofrito Refried Beans
Refried Beans are easily one of the most classic and go-to sides within that joy that is Mexican cuisine. I like them in my burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and mixed in with some yellow rice. Basically, you you name it and I love when they are companions. I already have a more traditional recipe but here I take the flavor to new heights using Better Than Bouillon Sofrito Base from the Culinary Collection. Sofrito is a blend of roasted tomatoes, onion, garlic and cilantro and it is pure bliss when give the broth treatment. I also give you choices on how thick or thin you like your refried beans so you're in full control of their texture and consistency!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (see Jeff's Tips)
- 1 large Spanish or yellow onion, diced
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles (these are mild)
- 3 cloves (1 tablespoon) garlic, minced or pressed
- 5 cups sofrito broth (5 cups water + 5 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon Sofrito Base)
- 2 cups dried pinto beans (raw and hard in the bag , not the kind in a kind)
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 cups crumbled cotija cheese (use grated Parmesan or crumbled feta if you can't find cotija)
- Seasoned salt, to taste (see Step 5)
Instructions
- Add the oil to the Instant Pot and hit Sauté and Adjust so it's on the More or High setting. Once the oil's heated and shimmering (about 3 minutes), add the onion, chiles and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion is slightly softened and fragrant.
- Add the broth, beans, bay leaves and stir well. Secure the lid, move the valve to the sealing position and hit Cancel followed by Pressure Cook or Manual for 35 minutes. Allow a 30-minute natural release when done, followed by a quick release (NOTE: If the pin drops, indicating the pressure has fully released before the 30 minutes of the natural release are up, still wait the full 30 minutes to remove the lid.)
- When the lid comes off, discard the bay leaves. At this stage, the pot's contents won't look super appealing but that will soon change when we mash them up. If you want your beans on the very thick side, ladle out about 2-3 cups of the broth from the pot into a glass measuring cup and set aside. If you want them on the thinner side (how I personally like mine), you can keep everything as is.
- Using a potato masher, mash the beans into the desired consistency. If you removed some both prior to mashing and find they're a bit too thick, add back more broth to the pot as you mash them together.
- Add the cheese and stir. Taste it. If you decide you want it saltier, add the salt in 1/2 teaspoon increments, stirring and tasting along the way until content. (NOTE: The longer you let the beans rest and cool, the thicker they are going to get. So if you opted for the thinner beans and didn't remove any broth prior to mashing, they will indeed thicken up some - it will just take a little time meaning you can make this well ahead of when they will be served).
- Serve topped with more cheese, if desired. Goes great in burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and mixed in with some yellow rice.
Jeffrey's Tips
If you want even more flavor and don't mind these beans not being vegetarian, use 1/4 cup bacon grease you have have in your fridge.
If you want more classic refried beans that will yield thicker results and no sofirto flavor, follow this recipe.
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