This article was updated on 7th September 2023 for freshness and to incorporate new methods.
In this article, I show you the best way to reheat your refried beans and get them as hot and fresh as when they were first cooked, without drying them out! In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best way to reheat refried beans is on the stove. First, pour the refried beans into a pot and heat them on low heat. If the beans are dry, add a tablespoon of water at a time until you reach the right consistency. Reheat the refried beans for 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently until piping hot.
How I tested reheating refried beans
Refried beans (also known as frijoles refritos) are a regular in my household. So I quickly whipped up a batch for Mexican night, making extra to store in the fridge.
The next morning, I tried out the following reheating methods:
- On the stove: Worked great.
- In the microwave: Quick and easy.
- In the oven: Good but slow.
- In a crockpot: Not recommended.
After reheating the beans I did the all important taste test. I was looking for moist, delicious beans that weren’t stodgy or dried out.
Reheating refried beans on the stove
Time: 5-6 minutes
Rating: 10/10
- Take your beans out of the fridge and transfer them to a pot or skillet.
- Heat them on medium-low heat, stirring frequently.
- Add extra liquid (either butter, stock, or water) a tablespoon at a time until you achieve your desired thickness. Butter also adds a nice rich flavor.
- Continue heating the beans until they’re hot and ready to serve.
Low heat ensures the beans don’t burn on the bottom of the pan or dry out. Don’t let the beans come to a boil – this is too hot.
If you have a massive pot of beans, you can increase the heat to medium so that it isn’t too slow. Just don’t forget to stir, so nothing sits on the bottom of the pan for too long.
Pro tip: For extra tasty beans, fry some bacon in the pan before adding the beans. It’s not the healthiest idea, but it’s oh-so-good.
Results: The flavor and texture of my beans were pretty much perfect after reheating them in a pan. You couldn’t really tell they were reheated.
Reheating refried beans in the microwave
Time: 1-2 minutes
Rating: 9/10
- Transfer your beans from the fridge to a microwave-safe bowl.
- Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel, lid, or plastic wrap.
- Heat the beans for 1-2 minutes, stirring them every 30 seconds until warmed through.
- Add a tablespoon of water, stock, or butter to thin out the mixture if you need to after the first 30 seconds.
It’s better to microwave smaller portions as bigger portions heat too unevenly and may overcook in some parts.
Only add the liquid after microwaving the beans for at least 30 seconds. Sometimes the heat can add all the extra moisture you need, and you don’t want to end up with watery beans.
Results: Reheating my refried beans in the microwave worked well and was super quick. It’s the perfect method if you’re in a rush and if I was just heating beans for myself, I’d definitely use the microwave because it’s so convenient.
Reheating refried beans in the oven
Time: 10 minutes
Rating: 8/10
- Preheat your oven to 350° (180°C).
- Transfer the beans from the fridge to an oven-safe dish.
- Add a tablespoon of water, broth, or butter if the beans are stodgy.
- Cover the dish with foil to stop it from drying out.
- Heat the beans for 10 minutes, remembering to stir them halfway through.
Make sure that the foil fits tightly around the dish to trap the moisture inside, and don’t be tempted to check on the beans too often. Every time you open the foil, you’ll let some moisture out and you don’t want to end up with dry beans.
Pro tip: Remove the foil for the last few minutes and sprinkle some cheese over the top to melt. YUM.
Results: My beans came out fine, but it was a lot slower than the other methods. Not worth it for a small portion, but it’s a valid option for a big portion.
Reheating refried beans in the crockpot
While this may sound tempting, it’s not recommended. The crockpot (or slow cooker) takes so long for things to get up to temperature that the beans can sit in the danger zone for bacteria for too long, and potentially become unsafe to eat.
What you can do instead is reheat the refried beans in the microwave, oven, or on the stove.
And once they’re piping hot, put them in the crockpot to keep warm.
How to store refried beans
You can store leftover refried beans in the fridge for 3-5 days. Allow them to cool slightly, then put them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. If you’ve made a massive batch and need to cool them down quickly, portion the beans out into smaller containers.
The beans will soak up quite a lot of liquid during storage, and they can become pretty thick and stodgy. But this is easily remedied by adding some extra stock or water when you’re reheating the beans.
If you have some beans leftover in an open can, don’t store them in the can. Transfer them to an airtight container.
Can you freeze refried beans?
Leftover refried beans freeze well and will last for up to 6 months in the freezer. Package them in airtight freezer bags to reduce the risk of freezer burn. Refried beans in an unopened have a very long shelf life, so there’s no need to freeze them.
How to freeze refried beans:
- Let your beans cool to room temperature after they’ve finished cooking. You can chill the beans in the fridge to speed up the cooling process.
- Once cool, separate the beans into portions and spoon them into freezer bags.
- Remove as much air as possible from the bags before sealing them.
- Label and date the packaging and place the beans in the freezer.
You can also use airtight containers to store the beans, but I prefer freezer bags because you can remove all the air from freezer bags, which helps prevent freezer burn. You can also lay them flat to freeze and stack them to save space.
If you opt for an airtight container, try to fill it as much as possible. Or lay a piece of plastic wrap over the surface of the beans to protect them from the empty space.
Top tip
You can keep two portions of refried beans in one freezer bag by folding the bag in half while it’s freezing. This creates a gap between the portions and means they freeze separately.
How to thaw and reheat frozen refried beans
You can leave your refried beans in the fridge to thaw overnight, or you can submerge the freezer bag in a cold water bath. You can also use the microwave. Finally, you can heat the beans straight from frozen in a saucepan.
Heat the beans on low and add a splash of water or butter to the pan. Stir frequently until the mixture has melted and the beans are hot.
Ways to use up leftover refried beans
Got some leftover refried beans and not sure what you should do with them? Here are some cool ideas:
- Enchilada stuffed shells: Stuff your pasta shells with a mix of refried beans, tomato sauce, and cheese for some Mexican-Italian fusion.
- Mexican pizza: Spread your refried beans out on a pizza base and then cover with whatever toppings you like.
- Bean dip: Mix the beans with cream cheese and sour cream to turn them into a tasty dip and serve them with nachos.
- Bean Soup: Mix the refried beans with some chicken stock and corn for a quick and easy soup.
- 4 bean chili: Struggling to decide on the fourth bean type for your chili? Add some refried beans!
How To Reheat Refried Beans [Tested Methods]
Ingredients
- 1 portion refried beans
- 1 tbsp water or stock, optional
Instructions
- Take your beans out of the fridge and transfer them to a pot or skillet.
- Heat them on medium-low heat, stirring frequently.
- Add extra liquid (either butter, stock, or water) a tablespoon at a time until you achieve your desired thickness. Butter also adds a nice rich flavor.
- Continue heating the beans until they’re hot and ready to serve.
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