CHEF JOHN'S REFRIED BEANS

Chef John's Refried Beans image

I don't think I would ever sit down to eat just a bowl of refried beans, but they make everything they're served on, with, or in, infinitely better. Just as long as you use lard to make them.

Provided by Chef John

Time 12h10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

1 pound dry pinto beans, soaked overnight
4 whole garlic cloves, peeled
½ teaspoon dried epazote
9 cups cold water
½ cup lard
1 ½ cups diced onions
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons minced serrano chili pepper
1 teaspoon ground dried chipotle pepper

Steps:

Drain soaked beans and transfer them to a stock pot. Add garlic, epazote, and cold water. Place pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Stir. Reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered until beans are soft, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Drain the beans and reserve all the liquid.
Melt lard in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and salt; cook until onions start to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in serrano pepper and chipotle powder; cook 1 minute. Transfer drained beans into skillet. Mash about half the beans with a potato masher or back of a spoon. Ladle some bean cooking liquid to skillet. Continue to mash and stir beans as you gradually add more liquid. Mash until the beans have reached your preferred consistency and texture. Taste and add more salt, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 317.2 calories, Carbohydrate 37.7 g, Cholesterol 12.2 mg, Fat 13.7 g, Fiber 12.4 g, Protein 12.2 g, SaturatedFat 5.2 g, Sodium 490.9 mg, Sugar 1.8 g