Two Frugal Chicks

I just love refried beans. They are sooooo easy to make, cheaper and healthier. You can buy beans just about anywhere, but I get mine at Winco or Cash & Carry. My husband prefers whole beans so I don’t blend all of them I just add whole beans back to the blended beans for added texture.

In a crockpot I add:

4 C pinto beans, rinse and looked over
11 C water
2 T chicken stock paste (Costco)
1 & 1/2 tsp garlic
1 & 1/2 tsp cumin
1 & 1/2 T chili powder
2 tsp salt
2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp pepper

I cook on high for 4 hours. I have had beans that needed to cook longer so I think it depends on how old your beans are. I would check after 4 and if they need longer, adjust. Once they’re done you scoop out most of the water and you blend them with an immersion blender or potato masher. Add the removed water back in till the beans are your desired consistency.

You can pour them into ziplocs, lay flat and freeze. They freeze well and are super convenient to have on hand..