Can refried beans be frozen? - The best way

We all have that kind of favorite food that we just can’t get away from. Your tastes can range from Italian to American food, going through Chinese or Mexican. You really can’t go wrong with any of them, but there is something to be said for authentic Mexican or Tex-Mex dishes.

Everyone likes a good Mexican restaurant because there is a wide variety of things and many different ways to enjoy each dish. From cheese to guacamole to rice and refried beans, you have a little bit of everything.

The refried beans are one of our favorites. You can do almost anything with them! When you make things with refried beans, a little goes a long way.

Can refried beans be frozen to keep them fresh? Yes, you can freeze the refried beans as long as you take them out of the can and transfer them to an airtight container. You can freeze the refried beans indefinitely, but we recommend using them within 12 months.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of freezing refried beans. The process isn’t that difficult, but there are a few things you need to know to make sure you have the best freezing experience possible. We also have lots of other refried beans related information to share with you.

Read on to find out how to freeze refried beans and much more.

Can refried beans be frozen? A complete guide

You are probably familiar with refried beans. Whether you’ve made your own at home or just cracked open a can when using homemade refried beans, you know the basics. You’ve also likely seen refried beans at your local Mexican restaurant.

In both Mexican-style and Tex-Mex-style restaurants, refried beans are often topped with cheese and served as a side to any dish, along with rice. This is quite common in these types of restaurants and dishes. 

Refried beans are made from (that’s right, you guessed it!) kidney beans. There are different ways to make refried beans and you may have seen them in numerous forms or even made them in different ways.

Ultimately, refried beans are made with mashed kidney beans. 

If you’re following a home recipe, it will probably tell you to use black beans. Pinto beans are the most commonly used type of bean , but black beans and kidney beans can also be used to make refried beans. You will have to soak the beans and then cook and drain them.

Kidney beans can also be served in many different ways. We will talk about it later in this guide.

Freezing and proper storage of refried beans

Refried beans are really easy to work with. Whether you make them at home or use a can, the processes are very simple and universal.

There are several ways to store your refried beans . These options are especially useful if you plan to make a large batch but only need to use part of it.

You can easily dry refried beans . This is a great option, especially if you are short on freezer space or do a lot of hiking and backpacking and need food options for your adventures.

We previously wrote a guide on how to dehydrate refried beans and it is a great reference for you in this situation.

This guide is geared toward freezing refried beans, so we’ll cover proper storage in both the fridge and freezer so you’re fully prepared for whatever options you may need.

Storing refried beans in the fridge

If you have just leftover beans from dinner and plan to use them in a few days, you can store them in the fridge. In this way you will have them at hand without having to do additional work if it is not necessary.

These are the steps to store refried beans in the fridge. 

1. Let the refried beans cool to room temperature.
2. Place the beans in an airtight container or a tight-fitting storage bag.
3. Store the refried beans in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

If you are going to use any remaining beans you have within 5 days , this is the easiest way to store them. Then you can take them and reheat them or add them to your favorite dish.

We would like to point out here that if you use canned refried beans, you should never freeze them in the can.  They will stay fine in an unopened can for quite some time, but once the can is opened, you should put them on a different plate.

We’ve heard of people covering opened cans with plastic wrap, and we don’t think this is the best way to store refried beans and ensure they’re preserved or stored properly.

Storing refried beans in the freezer

The freezer is a great way to store refried beans. We’ve already mentioned that you can make a bulk batch and then freeze it for later use.

It’s a great way to simplify future meals. Freezer meal options are always very helpful.

If you are freezing the beans because you have made a bulk batch, you should divide them into different portions. We do not recommend that you put them all in one large plate or bag. 

These are the steps you must follow to freeze the refried beans and obtain the best result. 

1. Let the beans cool completely before trying to freeze them.
2. Separate the refried beans into usable portions.
3. Place portions in separate airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Make sure whatever method you use is airtight and tightly closed. If you’re using an airtight container, it doesn’t hurt to place a layer of plastic wrap under the lid, just for an extra level of protection from the air.
4. Label, date and seal all containers.
5. Freeze the refried beans for up to 12 months.

We would like to point out that refried beans can be frozen indefinitely . 12 months is the expected time frame for the best processes, but if the procedures are followed precisely, they will last forever in the freezer.

This means that if they are frozen at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and sealed properly, they will not spoil in the freezer.

For fun, let’s talk about the pros and cons of freezing refried beans.

Advantages of freezing refried beans

• Refried beans can last indefinitely if stored properly
• They are easy to use after freezing
• The freezing process is simple
• Refried beans are versatile and you can do many things
• They are cheap and last a long time.

Cons of Freezing Refried Beans

• Sometimes they seem dry after freezing
• It is important to make sure they are airtight
• They freeze forever so you might get sick of them

The pros far outweigh the cons, so we say go for it.

How to use refried beans after freezing them

Refried beans are easy to use after they’ve been frozen. You can put them in the fridge and let them thaw overnight for easier use.

Of course, some of us don’t remember to take things out of the freezer to thaw in the fridge. You can also thaw refried beans by pouring them into a skillet or saucepan and heating them up.  This would also solve your heating problem.

One thing we want to mention here is that if your refried beans seem a bit dry after they’ve been frozen, that’s okay.  You can add just a small amount of water or even oil to them to bring them back to the consistency they should be, and they are perfect from there!

Another detail that may come in handy is that you can also easily reheat your refried beans in the microwave.

There are several recommendations for this process, but you should be able to put them in a microwave-safe bowl and cover the top with plastic wrap.

Heat for 3 minutes to start , then stir and heat for 1 more minute each time until hot.

Too easy!

How to make homemade refried beans

Understanding how refried beans are made helps to understand the best practice for the freezing process.

Remember that there are many different recipes for making homemade refried beans. In general, the concept is the same in all cases. We share this recipe as a general reference for you. 

1. You will need oil, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and lime (optional). Also, you will need black beans. You can use canned pinto beans or you can use dry beans. This instructable does not cover how to cook and prepare the beans, so if you use dried beans make sure you soak and stew them properly.
2. Start by heating oil in a skillet. Cook the garlic in the oil if you are using cloves, then crush it.
3. Stir in the black beans, cumin, chili powder and salt. Stir the mixture until the beans are heated through. This should only take about 5-10 minutes on medium heat.
4. Remove the mixture from the heat and blend it completely. This is easier with a masher.
5. If you are using lime, squeeze a little juice over the beans and mix.
6. Serve them or use them for cooking, as you prefer.

Making refried beans is easy. You can make them yourself in no time, especially if you use canned beans. Obviously, working with dried beans requires some extra work, but once you get through the soaking process, the rest is easy!

From the moment you prepare your refried beans, you have a lot of options to use them.

The best uses for refried beans

Refried beans are super easy to use. You can enjoy them fresh (from the stove or from a can) or you can make them into other meals. Plus, refried beans are very affordable, making them a great pantry item when you’re working on a tight budget.

There are many different things you can do with refried beans. Most people consider them a Mexican side dish or burrito filling. While there are certainly good uses for refried beans, there are many other options you can use.

One of the best ways to use them in an expensive format is to put some on a tortilla and add some cheese and sour cream . You can even grill the tortilla or warm it up a bit if you really want to give it more flavor.

You can also easily use refried beans as a casserole filling . Remember that you can use refried beans in many different ways. You’re certainly not limited to these options, though we hope that if there’s something here you haven’t tried yet, you’ll broaden your horizons and give it a try.

Now, let’s get down to business and talk about how to freeze your refried beans.

Related questions

We hope you found this guide to freezing refried beans a valuable and informative resource. There’s a lot of information here, but rest assured, the process is simple and we’re sure you won’t have any trouble freezing your beans.

We invite you to take a look at the following Q&A section for additional information that might be helpful.

Do refried beans go bad?

Refried beans can go bad. This is most likely to happen if they are opened and left in the fridge for too long. Check the smell and appearance.

If something seems off, it’s much safer to toss the refried beans than to risk spoiling them.

Are refried beans healthy?

Refried beans, especially if they are made at home, can be a healthy dish. Canned refried beans can sometimes be high in sodium, so be aware of that.

Otherwise, they are low in saturated fat and cholesterol. They are excellent in terms of protein, vitamin C and potassium.