Ground Beef and Refried Beans for Quick Burritos on the Run
Sneak Preview: This recipe for Ground Beef and Refried Beans is perfectly seasoned to make a quick burrito. The only thing you need to add is lots of cheese (and maybe some salsa and sour cream).
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When you live in Texas, Mexican food is part of the landscape. But as an Indiana farm girl, I did not always crave Tex-Mex as I do now. I think it’s because of the infamous canned tamales.
A glass jar of tamales sat in my mom’s pantry for years. I can still picture it. We used to move that jar around in the cabinet while looking for something tastier. When we finally opened the jar, the tamales were mushy and flavorless.
It’s a wonder I ever touched Mexican food again.
Then I married a Texan. That changed everything.
Refried beans became my new favorite tortilla stuffer. Now, our whole family loves them!
Throughout my married life, I have tried many refried bean recipes. This one is slightly more complicated but worth the trouble. Ground beef increases the flavor considerably. Also, you don’t have to use the more traditional lard or bacon grease unless you want to.
Ingredients and substitutions:
- DRIED PINTO BEANS: Please note that the older dried beans are, the longer they will take to cook. Substitute 4 (15 oz.) cans of pinto beans that have been rinsed and well-drained for dried beans if you want to save time.
- SALT: Omit the salt if you are using canned beans.
- GROUND BEEF: Substitute turkey or ground breakfast-style sausage if you like.
- OYSTER SAUCE: Don’t be put off by the name. You can read more about oyster sauce here. It is a common Chinese cooking ingredient that adds umami. You could leave it out but it is an important component of the taste profile for these beans. Soy sauce and hoisin sauce are two possible substitutes.
- TOMATO PASTE: If you use tomato paste from the can, freeze the remainder for later use. Using tomato paste squeezed from a tube is even easier.
- JALAPEÑO PEPPER: If you don’t have a fresh jalapeño pepper on hand, substitute 1/2 to 1 tablespoon pickled jalapeño peppers. Did you know you can freeze fresh jalapeño peppers? You don’t even have to cut them up. Just throw a bag of whole fresh peppers in the freezer.
- ADOBO SEASONING: This is a Puerto Rican spice mixture. If unavailable, substitute 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon ground oregano.
Can I freeze these refried beans?
These beans freeze beautifully. Place them in freezer zipper-locked bags for convenience.
One tortilla plus a small serving of these refried beans equals an effortless, healthy lunch when eaten with my daily salad.
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Do you need to make refried beans in a hurry? Make them in an Instant Pot in 90 minutes.
How to make Ground Beef and Refried Beans:
Cooked beans are ready to transform into refried beans.
In a separate skillet, brown the ground beef mixture, onions, and jalapeño pepper.
Combine beans and meat in one pot and start mashing. Cook on low heat for 30 minutes.
Fill flour tortillas with bean mixture and lots of cheese. Serve with salsa or guacamole.
Other Tex-Mex recipes you might enjoy:
Did you enjoy this recipe? If so, leave a rating 🤩 inside the recipe below. No comment required. If you have any questions or suggestions, email me privately: Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon! Paula
Ground Beef and Refried Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried pinto beans
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ large onion - coarsely chopped
- 1 small jalapeño pepper - minced
- ½ teaspoon Adobo seasoning
Instructions
- Soak 1 lb dried pinto beans and cook according to package, adding salt AFTER beans are tender.
- Meanwhile, combine 1 lb lean ground beef,2 cloves garlic, minced,1 large egg, ¼ c oyster sauce, 1 T tomato paste, 1½ t Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl. Mix it together however you can. Hands work best–it's like making meatloaf. Cover with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator while the beans cook.
- When beans are tender, drain off juice and reserve.
- In a separate skillet, brown ground beef mixture, ½ large onion, chopped, and a chopped jalapeno pepper. Drain excess grease.
- Combine beans and meat in one pot and start mashing. A fork will work, but a masher or granny fork works faster. An immersion blender works even better. Mash until there are no obvious whole beans but still some texture. Put small batches in a food processor if you don't want lumps. Add reserved liquid until beans are the thickness you like. If they are still too thick, add a little more water.
- Season with ½ t Adobo seasoning and simmer on the stove over low heat for another 30-45 minutes.
Paula Rhodes, author
I’m a retired home economist, wife, mother, grandmother, and creator of Saladinajar.com. I believe you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Here you’ll find time-saving tips, troubleshooting advice, and confidence-inspiring recipes to make life in the kitchen more fun, appetizing, and satisfying.