For anyone who loves Mexican and Latin American food, refried beans are an essential element. They are the foundation of a rich burrito, accompany tacos, tortas, and tostadas, and add flexibility to dozens of dishes. Preparing refried beans at home soaking, boiling, mashing, and frying in fat repays but is labour time-consuming. Refried beans from a can provide an easy shortcut, but the diversity of choices available on supermarket shelves can be daunting. All cans are not created equal; chef and food expert taste tests indicate wide variations in flavour, texture, and seasoning. A relatively simple staple has the potential to make or break your dish.
This is based on expert reviews to highlight the top canned refried beans, with emphasis on brands that stand out in terms of taste, texture, and quality of ingredients. We’ve sorted through expert reviews to provide you with a handpicked selection to make it easy for you to pick the best frijoles refritos to spice up your cooking, whether as the centrepiece or a supporting role.
1. Top Five Canned Refried Beans
Siete Vegan Refried Pinto Beans Siete’s vegan refried pinto beans are a leader in the pack, leaving experts astonished by the quality of the product with no traditional lard to be found. The secret is avocado oil, which provides a rich, full flavour that’s comparable to its non-vegan counterparts. Made from organic pinto beans, these beans shine with minimal seasoning salt, paprika, and onion powder creating a Savory, subtle profile that highlights the beans’ natural taste. Their silky, buttery texture is a standout, offering a luxurious mouthfeel that’s a joy to eat. Whether vegan or not, these beans are praised as a flavourful, high-quality option for any dish.
2. Sun Vista Refried Beans
Sun Vista provides predictability and reliability in the form of the quintessential refried pinto bean taste. Sun Vista beans offer an ideal balance, having a flavour profile of onion, chili, cumin, and garlic and with a richness of lard and a touch of vinegar to offer brightness. The outcome is an all-purpose ingredient that enhances a variety of dishes without overwhelming them. Their light, whipped texture is refreshing and pleasant to the mouth, making them simple to eat alone or with cheese, cilantro, or hot sauce. Sun Vista is a go-to pick for any Mexican-style meal.
3. La Preferida Organic Authentic Refried Beans
La Prefer Ida’s organic, fat-free, vegan refried beans challenge notions of what healthier choices should taste like. Experts were shocked by their full, home-style flavour, evoking the taste of bacon even though there’s no animal fat involved. A likely smoking process imparts a smoky richness, without the need for additional seasonings such as smoked paprika. Repeated bites are encouraged by the smooth, creamy texture, and they serve well warm or better cold. These beans are unique in their natural flavour and great mouthfeel, making them a favourite among quality-oriented chefs.
4. Bush’s Best Traditional Refried Beans
Bush’s Best provides restaurant-quality refried beans at a budget-friendly cost. Its real bean flavour comes through with well-balanced seasoning onion powder, garlic powder, and just the right spice of salt without too much spices. The silky, spreadable consistency hints at richness without too much fat content, excelling when heated up to unlock its depth. These beans are a cut above many restaurants, making it a pantry staple for those looking for top-notch taste on a budget.
5. Signature Select Traditional Refried Beans
Signature Select, an Albertsons store brand, surprises with its high quality, proving budget-friendly options can excel. Using lard for richness, vinegar for acidity, and a blend of onion, chili, cumin, and garlic, these beans deliver a well-rounded flavour. Their texture combines creamy, fluffy mashed beans with whole beans and chunks, offering a sturdy bite and soft interior. A noticeable chili kick adds excitement, making them a versatile choice for various dishes.
6. Casa Mamita Traditional Refried Beans
Casa Mamita, Aldi exclusive, provides a distinct chili flavor, so these beans are satisfying right out of the can or served with tortilla chips. Their intense seasoning onion powder, chili pepper, garlic powder, and potential cumin combines with high sodium for strong flavour. The texture provides whole beans for heft. Best served chilled to prevent a cardboard taste when warmed, they provide a spicy punch when heated, providing versatility at a price that can’t be beat.
7. El Mexicano Frijoles Bayo’s Refritos
El Mexicano Bayo’s beans, with their thinner skin and creamier inside, yield a rich, rustic but smooth texture. The bold, almost roasted flavour, supplemented by garlic, onion, and balanced salt, makes them a gourmet substitute for pinto beans. Soybean oil is a small fault in some minds, but the beans’ distinguishing characteristics make them an appealing option for those venturing beyond the usual.
8. Organics Fat-Free Refried Pinto Beans
Organics provides strong Savory scents and intense flavour from onion, chili, garlic, and delicate cumin and paprika. Yet their thick, hard texture can be difficult. Liquid or fat adds to improve them, making them a good fat-free choice for recipes where flavour takes centre stage.
9. Ortega Traditional Refried Beans
Ortega’s beans pair gentle flavour with whipped butter consistency, being light even when made with lard. They bring out the best in themselves when seasoned with salt, vinegar, and spices, making them a good side dish on their own or used in milder recipes, although they can become lost among stronger flavors. Their creamy texture and lightness make them a trusted pantry item.
10. La Costeña Refried Pinto Beans
La Costeña provides a good, reliable choice with great salt content and an added touch of diced jalapeño for a peppery flavour. Lard and oil provide an even, fatty mouthfeel, with the lumpy, coarse texture giving it a unique character. While not exceptional to eat alone, they shine in authentic Mexican recipes or innovative dishes.
11. Great Value Traditional Refried Beans
Great Value’s beans are impressive with a rich, creamy texture and considerate seasoning lard, onion, chili, cumin, garlic, and vinegar to add brightness. But a metallic aftertaste prevents them from ranking higher. They still offer good value, particularly in recipes where strong Flavors can cover up this defect.
12. Sunny Select Traditional Refried Beans
Sunny Select offers a plain, utilitarian choice with straightforward salt seasoning and lard. Their rich consistency is not as overwhelming as some, and added items such as cotija cheese may enhance their mild taste. They are best utilized as a foundation for foods with strong seasonings.
13. Faraon Frijoles Refritos
Faraon’s beans are disappointing with a spackle-like, tongue-coating texture and almost imperceptible seasoning. Canola oil provides subtle smoothness, but major additions seasoning, fat, or liquid are necessary to make them edible, making them a less-than-ideal convenience option.
14. Trader Joe’s Traditional Style Fat-Free Refried Beans
Trader Joe’s fat-free beans score low on account of their tasteless profile and gluey, drying mouthfeel. With nothing but beans, water, and imperceptible salt, they need radical alteration liquid or broth to be usable, lacking as a ready-to-go pantry staple.
Final Thoughts
From avocado oil-enriched vegan treasures to old-school, lard-filled standbys, canned refried beans are as varied in taste and quality as they are convenient to use. This guide prepares you to choose beans that take your burritos, tacos, or snacks to the next level. With insider knowledge, you can confidently select options that deliver on flavour and texture, turning your home cooking into something remarkable.
