Beefy Refried Beans for Quick Burritos or a Tex-Mex Sidedish

Beefy Refried Beans for burritos and more are cooked and mashed pinto beans coupled with ground beef and several seasonings. We’re talking extreme flavor.

Check out my Instant Pot recipe for refried beans if you are in a hurry.

If you live in Texas, Mexican food is a given.

But I have not always craved Mexican food as I do now.

A glass jar of tamales sat in my mom’s pantry for years.  I can picture it clearly. We used to move that jar around in the cabinet as looking for something more appetizing. When we finally opened the jar, the tamales were mushy and flavorless.

It’s a wonder I ever touched Mexican food again. As a matter of fact, I’m still not a huge fan of tamales. Maybe that’s why.

Then I married a Texan.

I was quickly introduced to refried beans. Now our whole family loves them!

Throughout my married life, I have tried many refried bean recipes. This one is slightly more complicated but a ton tastier.  Ground beef increases the flavor considerably.  You don’t have to use the more traditional lard or bacon grease unless you just want to.

This makes a lot. Can I freeze them?

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.

How to make Beefy Refried Beans for Quick Burritos and More:

If you make this recipe and enjoy it, consider helping other readers and me by returning to this post. Leave a rating on the recipe card itself underneath the picture. Although always appreciated, comments aren’t required. Thank you for visiting! Paula

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Beefy Refried Beans for Quick Burritos and More

Yield: 10 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 9 hours

Total Time: 9 hours 30 minutes

Refried beans coupled with ground beef and several seasonings results in extreme flavor appropriate as a Tex-Mex side dish or burrito filling.

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Ingredients

• 1 pound dried pinto beans (could also use 4 (15 oz.) cans of pinto beans, well rinsed and drained)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (omit if using canned beans)
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup oyster sauce (contains no oysters; available in the Oriental section)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (buying it by the tube makes this easy)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 large onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 small jalapeno pepper, minced (may substitute 1/2 to 1 tablespoon pickled jalapeno peppers )
• 1/2 teaspoon Adobo seasoning (a Puerto Rican spice mixture; if unavailable, substitute 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon ground oregano)

Instructions

1. Soak beans and cook according to package, adding salt AFTER beans are tender.
2. Meanwhile, combine beef, garlic, egg, oyster sauce, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix it together however you can. Hands work best--it's like making meatloaf. Put in bowl and cover with plastic wrap to marinate while beans cook.
3. When beans are tender, drain off juice and reserve.
4. In separate skillet, brown ground beef mixture, onions and jalapeno pepper. Drain excess grease.
5. Combine beans and meat in one pot and start mashing. A fork will work but a masher or granny fork works faster. Mash until there are no obvious whole beans but still some texture. If you don't like lumps, put small batches in a food processor. Add reserved liquid till beans are the thickness you like. If they are still too thick, add a little more water.
6. Season with Adobo seasoning and simmer on the stove over low heat for another 30-45 minutes.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 216 Total Fat: 7g Saturated Fat: 2g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 3g Cholesterol: 61mg Sodium: 665mg Carbohydrates: 19g Fiber: 6g Sugar: 1g Protein: 20g

Other Mexican food you might like:

• Tamale Pie
• Texas Fiesta Bowls
• Refried Beans in the Instant Pot