Refried beans facts for kids
Refried beans (in Spanish, frijoles refritos) is a yummy dish made from cooked and mashed beans. It's a very common food in Mexico and in Tex-Mex cuisine (which is food from Texas with Mexican influences). People in many other Latin American countries also enjoy them.
Even though they are called "refried," the beans are actually only fried once. The word refritos in Spanish means "well-fried" or "intensely fried," not "fried again." So, they are just really well-cooked beans!
How Refried Beans Are Made
Most refried beans in northern Mexico and for Tex-Mex food are made with pinto beans. But in other parts of Mexico, people use different kinds of beans. These can include black beans, Peruano beans, or red kidney beans.
First, the dry beans are cooked until they are soft. Sometimes, they are soaked in water overnight before cooking. After cooking, most of the liquid is drained away. Then, the soft beans are mashed into a smooth paste. This can be done with a potato masher or by pushing them through a special sieve.
If the bean paste is too thick, people might add a little bit of the cooking liquid back in. They can also add chicken or vegetable broth. Next, the bean paste is fried or baked. This is usually done with chopped onion and garlic. They are cooked in a small amount of lard (a type of fat), vegetable oil, bacon fat, or butter. Finally, the beans are seasoned with salt and other spices to make them taste great.
In Mexico, lard is often used because it adds a lot of flavor. Sometimes, a special herb called epazote is added. It gives a unique taste and also helps reduce gas that beans can sometimes cause.
Ways to Enjoy Refried Beans
Refried beans are a very versatile food! At home, they are often served as a side dish with a bigger meal, like tacos or enchiladas. They are also commonly rolled up inside a tortilla to make a bean burrito.
In the United States, especially in Tex-Mex restaurants, refried beans are a popular side dish with almost every meal. They have also become a favorite dip for corn tortilla chips.
You can find refried beans as a main ingredient in many other dishes too. They are used in tostadas, which are crispy tortillas with toppings. They are also in chimichangas (deep-fried burritos) and pupusas (thick corn tortillas filled with ingredients). Plus, they are a key part of layered dips, like seven-layer dip, and are often spread on nachos.
Images for kids
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In Spanish: Frijoles refritos para niños
