Just one precision: yes, "refried beans" means "fried twice". Why? Because back in the day, when there were no fridges to be had, the first beans of the day were served for breakfast: they were brothy, soupy beans, just cooked with some onion, not garlic, epazote and salt. Then, for lunch, since you had to keep the beans boiling so that they would not spoil, they started to disintegrate and the starch would start seeping into the broth; these beans would be fried in some lard, in which you would fry some onion slices until translucent and sliced chile; you would roughly mash those beans, if at all, because they had already started to thicken, and serve them. These were "fried beans". Then, for dinner, again, these beans were kept boiling until the broth was consumed and the beans turned into a mush; these, you would fry in some more lard while tossing them and turning around the pan until you got a very thick paste you could easily turn over, like a patty. These were the "refried beans". Information given by my grandma, who passed away some six years ago at ninety six, passed onto you from a Mexican kitchen based in Mexico City. :)
Patricia Ruiz Incorrect, it does in fact mean really really fried. Any time you put "re" in front of something in Mexican Spanish it is there for emphasis. For example, the shirt is really ugly...la playera es refea.
I have been watching your videos since I was a little boy chef john. I'm now 24, am a very competent cook and get so much enjoyment out of it. Thank you for mentoring me as I grew up.
I wish Chef John would've stressed this more but...for anyone who has never cooked beans before, just remember he said don't add salt in the beginning. The reason is because salt will halt the softening process of the beans. Always add salt when they are completely cooked and softened. If you add salt too early they will never soften up and that is frustrating. Don't ask me how I know, lol.
my departed mother-in-law from just outside Mexico City made frijoles refritos everyday since she was a little girl ...... your recipe is spot on ......
and, in my family beans are cooked in a large pot to consume during the next few days, they go through 3 stages: first stage is just cooked and beans are left whole with their 'juice', when you eat those you top them with "crema". Next day beans are blended and we call them "colados". And the following day, you use what's left to make refried beans.
I've had these with chorizo and the grease from cooking it instead of lard. I'm not sure if it's still authentic that way but they are easily the greatest thing you'll ever put in your mouth.
Mexican here - and these look scrummy! Lard (manteca), yes! Without it, the beans are okay, not super delish, but they'll do. I give it a C. Lard really does make a big difference. It takes the beans from a C to an A! :) (provided they're salted)
Xoch Xochitl, I agree there is a lot going on in these, but I know my kiddos would love a spicy bean dip (hold the chipotle, no place for that in refritos) so that's how I'll try it for Super Bowl. Cheers.
Epazote and lard! Congrats from one chef to another, you nailed the authentic frijoles recipe! (For even more legit frijoles a big piece of pork rind or chicharrón de puerco is added at the boiling stage)
Perfect! I hereby declare this recipe Authentic! Exactly how we make them in Arizona! And no salt until the very end! Good man! Here's a tip: When you are soaking your beans overnight, add a capful or two of vinegar (I prefer white, but apple cider is fine). It won't alter the taste at all and it will take the "power" out of them, if you know what I mean. !!! Always, always sort and soak dried beans of any kind. Beans are very dirty and they often have small rocks mixed in. Rinse them in a colander after you sort, then soak and rinse, changing the water for fresh to cook them in. Yes, you can use canned beans, but they are full of salt and other additives and, besides, they just won't have the same texture or taste nearly as good in the end.
I'm pissed and grateful at the same time! I went looking for a chef John recipe for refried beans 2 weeks ago and obviously struck out. Ended up going with another recipe that didn't call for lard or chipotle pepper - I know sacrilegious. Anyhow my beans turned out OK, but now I am super stoked to give the Chef John version a try! Thanks!
I love adding half an onion while I cook the beans. It adds even more flavor and it's how my mom always made it. This recipe is pretty authentic if I do say so myself 😁
Thank you! It's hard to find them in a can were I live! its so hard to find Mexican food that i grow my own jalapeños! I would love more Mexican food from scratch videos!
Please make some borracho beans☺ I get so mad at myself that I am Hispanic and don't know how to make them😑Keep the Mexican dishes coming, and thank you for your delicious videos!! 😙😚😍😘😗😎
Thanks Chef! I've bean needing a good refried bean recipe for a long time, and I'd never heard of epazote before, but will look for it at the mexican market up the street and give this a try!
You don't cook beans just to "refry" them, you cook them, eat some let them sit overnight and then refry them the next day! If you're Mexican you know this.
No cayenne makes me sad, but wait! Chipotle makes me happy, serrano makes me even happier and I figure I can get through my grief for the missing cayenne by eating the entire recipe all by my lonesome. Which is how I'll be tomorrow as well because beans beans the magical fruit... :D
"I like refried beans. That's why I wanna try fried beans, because maybe they're just as good and we're just wasting time. You don't have to fry them again after all." - Mitch Hedberg
adding seasonings to the beans for boiling is a good idea, *if you want beans that are seasoned*, but add that AFTER you skim all of that foam off of the fresh boiling water. take it all off, then add the seasoning.
I can't wait to try this. I've tried many recipes and they were all just OK. This method might make it takes more like the beans we eat at some of my favorite places. I LOVE refried beans if they are done right. This looks right :) Thank you for this recipe! Melody :)
These sound wonderful. SIMPLE METHOD FAMILY TESTED FOR DECADES: take a pound of cheap fatty bacon out of the freezer, easier to, chop it fine. Render completely. Add two 28 oz. cans pinto, or bean of choice(I love black eye peas or black beans) one can drained. Mash to desired thickness. Onion optional but good. They will disappear.
I think refried beans are best about two days after boiling. I don't know what it is, but I think it improves both the texture and flavor. Just to try it out, make them like normal, but save a tiny bit in a container (with the juice, of course), and try it out a couple of days later.
I'm Mexican and I don't use lard. But once in a blue moon I'll eat some made with lard, and they are so much tastier. Good job! You made pretty authentic refried beans, but it's still much easier to make them than the video, though maybe I have lots of practice. 😁👍🏼
I prefer to use lard to fry the beans because it gives a better flavor I liquefied the beans with one or two chipotle peppers in adobo In the place of the Serrano pepper and the ground chipotle regards Chef John
In Brazil we cook a lot of beans, we usually soak them one day before, and some people will discard the liquid of the soaking, some not. We usually cook it in a pressure cooker for reduced cooking time (I usually get it ready after 25 minutes on the pressure). We also have a similar dish to refried beans which is called "feijão mexido" (scrambled beans).
Chef John - Is there a reason you don't use the bean "broth" water from when it's soaking and just replace that with fresh water? I feel like the flavor is more intense if you used the soaked bean water. But I may be wrong.
Check out the recipe: www.allrecipes.com/Recipe/257150/Chef-Johns-Refried-Beans/
This is the only person I've ever heard that talks with this inflection
123rockfan I luv it s'much
Just one precision: yes, "refried beans" means "fried twice". Why? Because back in the day, when there were no fridges to be had, the first beans of the day were served for breakfast: they were brothy, soupy beans, just cooked with some onion, not garlic, epazote and salt. Then, for lunch, since you had to keep the beans boiling so that they would not spoil, they started to disintegrate and the starch would start seeping into the broth; these beans would be fried in some lard, in which you would fry some onion slices until translucent and sliced chile; you would roughly mash those beans, if at all, because they had already started to thicken, and serve them. These were "fried beans". Then, for dinner, again, these beans were kept boiling until the broth was consumed and the beans turned into a mush; these, you would fry in some more lard while tossing them and turning around the pan until you got a very thick paste you could easily turn over, like a patty. These were the "refried beans". Information given by my grandma, who passed away some six years ago at ninety six, passed onto you from a Mexican kitchen based in Mexico City. :)
Patricia Ruiz
Yayy! Grandma!
Patricia Ruiz That makes sense!
Patricia Ruiz very interesting!thank you,may your grandma rest in peace
Patricia Ruiz Incorrect, it does in fact mean really really fried. Any time you put "re" in front of something in Mexican Spanish it is there for emphasis. For example, the shirt is really ugly...la playera es refea.
Coincidentally my recipe comes from el D.F. también, cheers.
I have been watching your videos since I was a little boy chef john. I'm now 24, am a very competent cook and get so much enjoyment out of it. Thank you for mentoring me as I grew up.
rain drop, drop top, transfer your beans to a stockpot
I wish Chef John would've stressed this more but...for anyone who has never cooked beans before, just remember he said don't add salt in the beginning. The reason is because salt will halt the softening process of the beans. Always add salt when they are completely cooked and softened. If you add salt too early they will never soften up and that is frustrating. Don't ask me how I know, lol.
my departed mother-in-law from just outside Mexico City made frijoles refritos everyday since she was a little girl ...... your recipe is spot on ......
What do you get when you mix beans and onions?
Tear gas.
Apratim Das the best tasting side dish ever !!!!
Apratim Das Good one .. hahaha!!
Apratim Das I actually wondered if tear gas was made from onions and beans before I realized I'm an idiot
and, in my family beans are cooked in a large pot to consume during the next few days, they go through 3 stages: first stage is just cooked and beans are left whole with their 'juice', when you eat those you top them with "crema". Next day beans are blended and we call them "colados". And the following day, you use what's left to make refried beans.
Chef John is the Bard of his lard...
I've had these with chorizo and the grease from cooking it instead of lard. I'm not sure if it's still authentic that way but they are easily the greatest thing you'll ever put in your mouth.
I feel like your voice gets a higher pitch really randomly.
nao p I never noticed until one day and now I can't get past it lol
Mexican here - and these look scrummy! Lard (manteca), yes! Without it, the beans are okay, not super delish, but they'll do. I give it a C. Lard really does make a big difference. It takes the beans from a C to an A! :) (provided they're salted)
Xoch Xochitl, I agree there is a lot going on in these, but I know my kiddos would love a spicy bean dip (hold the chipotle, no place for that in refritos) so that's how I'll try it for Super Bowl. Cheers.
I love getting my Mexican food recipes at 11 o' clock at night! Wouldn't have it any other way!
You have the greatest sense of cooking humor.
Epazote and lard! Congrats from one chef to another, you nailed the authentic frijoles recipe! (For even more legit frijoles a big piece of pork rind or chicharrón de puerco is added at the boiling stage)
Perfect! I hereby declare this recipe Authentic! Exactly how we make them in Arizona! And no salt until the very end! Good man!
Here's a tip: When you are soaking your beans overnight, add a capful or two of vinegar (I prefer white, but apple cider is fine). It won't alter the taste at all and it will take the "power" out of them, if you know what I mean. !!!
Always, always sort and soak dried beans of any kind. Beans are very dirty and they often have small rocks mixed in. Rinse them in a colander after you sort, then soak and rinse, changing the water for fresh to cook them in.
Yes, you can use canned beans, but they are full of salt and other additives and, besides, they just won't have the same texture or taste nearly as good in the end.
Why does he sound like he's reciting a poem. His voice just goes up and down.
I'm pissed and grateful at the same time! I went looking for a chef John recipe for refried beans 2 weeks ago and obviously struck out. Ended up going with another recipe that didn't call for lard or chipotle pepper - I know sacrilegious. Anyhow my beans turned out OK, but now I am super stoked to give the Chef John version a try! Thanks!
I agree about the salt. I do, however, live and die by the addition of cumin...
Eric Barnett cumin is my favorite spice!
I remember when my mom started soaking her beans. We noticed that there was far less gaseous expellant. To this day she calls it "de-gassing".
Love me some refried beans! 😛❤
as mexican, I approve that
pro tip: When mixing in the pan, add cheese, or mexican chorizo (cooked) or served in tacos using "tortillas de harina"
I love adding half an onion while I cook the beans. It adds even more flavor and it's how my mom always made it. This recipe is pretty authentic if I do say so myself 😁
My wife and I think you're the best! Great recipes and personality to match.
Thank you! It's hard to find them in a can were I live! its so hard to find Mexican food that i grow my own jalapeños! I would love more Mexican food from scratch videos!
I like how Chef John doesn't show his face so it's "more about the food" than the chef yet most people come for the commentary and puns.
Chef! this was my request last week!. thanks dude.
Please make some borracho beans☺ I get so mad at myself that I am Hispanic and don't know how to make them😑Keep the Mexican dishes coming, and thank you for your delicious videos!! 😙😚😍😘😗😎
It'd be cool if there was a contest to get to a chance spend a day being able to cook with Chef John. He makes really great recipes and is very funny.
always excellently written! will never stop watching your videos.
Thanks Chef! I've bean needing a good refried bean recipe for a long time, and I'd never heard of epazote before, but will look for it at the mexican market up the street and give this a try!
This is awesome!! I love refried beans, and now I have a great recipe! I just rendered some lard last week, so I'm ready to make refried beans!!!!
My grandma puts pork skins when she boils the beans to give it a nice porky flavor. Not too bad Chef Juan =)
You made these PERFECTLY, Chef John.
don't call them soaked beans, call them Activated Beans... that way hipsters will enjoy this
hes saving it for the almond butter video
Christmas Crustacean I thought they were called raw, sprouted beans. But I'm disappointed that they aren't organic.
Oh please! Hipsters don't enjoy anything. Ironic social complaints not included.
You used lard to make the refritos! Good job, Chef John
Respect on the use of epazote🖒👍
I'm allergic to beans, can I substitute them for salmon?
Bryce Piper yes.
Idk, why don't you find out?
Bryce Piper LOL
Bryce Piper yes, But use rendered Reindeer fat instead of lard
Bryce Piper I'm allergic to Salmon... can I substitute it with bananas?
You don't cook beans just to "refry" them, you cook them, eat some let them sit overnight and then refry them the next day! If you're Mexican you know this.
Kim Jong-un I didn't know Kim jong un was Mexican!
Or cooking corned beef just to make corned beef hash.(Which Chef John does BTW.)
THANK YOU! I've been wanting to look up how refried beans are made and if I could make them easily.
As a mexican, I approve! ¡Frijoles refritos, delicioso! And yes, you are right about the "refried" term meaning "well fried".
You're the Jean-Luc Picard of whether to use lard.
Some people use vegetable oil/shortening for dietary reasons.
The lard is definitely the secret ingredient in refríed beans.
notification squad 🙋
Ya guys make sure to swirl it at the end to give it the " cow pie" effect.
Very important.
No cayenne makes me sad, but wait! Chipotle makes me happy, serrano makes me even happier and I figure I can get through my grief for the missing cayenne by eating the entire recipe all by my lonesome.
Which is how I'll be tomorrow as well because beans beans the magical fruit... :D
"I'm a bean soaker from way back." Right On, Chef!
When I saw what I expected to be coconut oil and you said it was lard I got extremely happy. Not sure why, but there you have it.
I'm from New Mexico; we know beans, these are delicious. Thanks Chef John.
can you teach us how to make toast please?
OMGshinyobject I second this...
Still waiting on my suggested how to boil water video...
OMGshinyobject hahahaha right!!!!!
OMGshinyobject If I'm not mistaken good toast starts with champagne and a thoughful pause.
Absolutely, I could think of Chefsteps doing a video on how to boil super-purified spring water (sous vide, of course, with their "Joules")....
I'm Jewish I make them with chicken fat or beef fat I also add cheese at the end.
so weird...I was having a taco bell burrito today n was like if I can just learn how to make my own refried beans id be all set lol thanks chef :)
i just got a recipe and made some from scratch for the first time last week. im gonna try yours next! it looks much better.
great video chef John! I cook mine with salt pork... so good!! 😋
"But they're mine nachos" 🥁😆👍🏾
I love you Chef John! You serve CORN with every episode, wether it's in the recipe or not!😂❤️
Magnificent! Thanks Chef.
"What are you watching?"
"A cooking channel on youtube"
"It sounds like a cartoon"
am i the only one here who thinks that chef John is the culinary version of Neil Degrasse Tyson? 😂
Nuhan Hidayat Neil is the astrophysicist version of chef John you mean
You shouldn't insult Chef John by comparing him that clown Tyson. An apology to Chef John seems the appropriate thing to do Nuhan.
Neil is trash unlike john
Nuhan Hidayat a
Nuhan Hidayat
He's more like the Weird Al Yankovic of Food Chefs.
I mean that in a totally positive way.
I love refried beans. I really want some Mexican food.
We are the Queen of our bean. I guess you're the King of this thing.
i love you chef john! i rewoked a ton of you recipes for myself in school! i would love to see more sous vide. but your carnitas are the ills ever
Very fine line between "improving the presentation" factor, and "making it look even more like a cow patty" with this dish. Use caution...
Very nice, thanks chef. Now who in their right mind would not soak their beans? That's crazytalk!
One of these days, I'd like to make to some refried black beans. It feels like a good fit for my repertoire. And, more healthy.
I actually laughed out loud. "These are mine. Not yohs." Best nacho joke going!
this has bean the best video of my entire day!
yes! thank you!! I requested this on the spinach farro recipe
😂 Mesa(Meza) is a swahili term for Table. Am kenyan thank you fr bomb recipes chef John
"I like refried beans. That's why I wanna try fried beans, because maybe they're just as good and we're just wasting time. You don't have to fry them again after all."
- Mitch Hedberg
adding seasonings to the beans for boiling is a good idea, *if you want beans that are seasoned*, but add that AFTER you skim all of that foam off of the fresh boiling water. take it all off, then add the seasoning.
I'm only here for the puns. ;)
"Because they're mine, nachos."
I love some refried beans. Too many, and I start to sound like Dizzy Gillespie.
the best way to eat these beans are with huevos con chorizo , some plátanos fritos and tortillas.
I can't wait to try this. I've tried many recipes and they were all just OK. This method might make it takes more like the beans we eat at some of my favorite places. I LOVE refried beans if they are done right. This looks right :) Thank you for this recipe! Melody :)
These sound wonderful. SIMPLE METHOD FAMILY TESTED FOR DECADES: take a pound of cheap fatty bacon out of the freezer, easier to, chop it fine. Render completely. Add two 28 oz. cans pinto, or bean of choice(I love black eye peas or black beans) one can drained. Mash to desired thickness. Onion optional but good. They will disappear.
I have heard from a few sources that you should use the oil from frying corn chips for a flavor boost to your refried beans...
yes lard is the way to go.. my mother said a trick is to burn the onions a bit more than usual, gives it more depth of flavor says she
Yay!!! I always wonder how to make this!!
Jenene Shinoda really ?????
Their mine, nachos hahaha
I think refried beans are best about two days after boiling. I don't know what it is, but I think it improves both the texture and flavor.
Just to try it out, make them like normal, but save a tiny bit in a container (with the juice, of course), and try it out a couple of days later.
I'm Mexican and I don't use lard. But once in a blue moon I'll eat some made with lard, and they are so much tastier. Good job! You made pretty authentic refried beans, but it's still much easier to make them than the video, though maybe I have lots of practice. 😁👍🏼
I know Chef John has really made it now because people are starting to hate on him in the comments.
my left ear enjoyed this .................
Beautiful Refried Beans Chef.... I bet those babies tasted good... :)
those look so good! *drools on self*
I love it when you use lard
I went to a restaurant tonight and ordered the most unfortunate dinner. I wish I could eat this video.
your timing couldn't be any more perfect.
I prefer to use lard to fry the beans because it gives a better flavor
I liquefied the beans with one or two chipotle peppers in adobo In the place of the Serrano pepper and the ground chipotle
regards Chef John
they look so unappetizing but taste so good
I would love if you would teach me how to make an easy version og Butter Chicken! The same way you did with one of your other Indian recipes.
can a pressure cooker be used?
Chef J, can you show us your spice collection? How are they stored?
In Brazil we cook a lot of beans, we usually soak them one day before, and some people will discard the liquid of the soaking, some not.
We usually cook it in a pressure cooker for reduced cooking time (I usually get it ready after 25 minutes on the pressure).
We also have a similar dish to refried beans which is called "feijão mexido" (scrambled beans).
You be di king, of dis refried bean ting
Chef John - Is there a reason you don't use the bean "broth" water from when it's soaking and just replace that with fresh water? I feel like the flavor is more intense if you used the soaked bean water. But I may be wrong.
Perfect Chef John video!!! Can't wait to try these and looking forward to the next video. They NEVER disappoint! :-)