Canning Refried Beans: A Guide to Convenience and Flavor

A winning refried bean-side-dish

If you love the creamy, savory taste of refried beans but dread the hassle of cooking them every time, home canning is your new best friend. With a batch of perfectly canned refried beans, you’ll have a versatile, ready-to-use pantry staple for quick meals, snacks, or side dishes. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of safely canning refried beans, ensuring flavor, texture, and long-term storage.

Why Can Refried Beans?

Refried beans are a beloved staple in many cuisines, particularly Mexican and Tex-Mex. Home-canned refried beans offer several benefits:

• Convenience: Open a jar, and they’re ready to heat and eat.

• Customizable Flavor: Adjust seasonings to your preference.

• Cost-Effective: Save money by buying beans in bulk.

• Eco-Friendly: Reduce packaging waste by reusing jars.

  
  

Supplies You’ll Need:

• Pressure Canner: Necessary for safely canning low-acid foods like beans.

• Canning Jars: Pint or quart jars with lids and rings.

• Cooking Utensils: Large pot, ladle, potato masher, and spatula.

• Ingredients:

  • Dried pinto or black beans

  • Onion (optional)

  • Garlic (optional)

  • Salt

  • Spices (cumin, chili powder, paprika, etc.)

    
    

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Prepare the Beans

• Sort and Rinse: Sort through dried beans to remove any debris. Rinse thoroughly.

• Soak: Soak beans overnight in a large bowl of water, or use the quick-soak method (boil for 2 minutes, then let sit for 1 hour).

• Cook: Drain and rinse soaked beans. Place them in a large pot, cover with fresh water, and cook together with the spices for 30 min.

Soaked and boiled beans

2. Prepare for Canning

• Wash jars, lids, and rings in hot, soapy water. Keep jars warm until ready to fill.

• Fill Jars: Spoon hot refried beans and cooking water into jars, leaving 1-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and wipe jar rims clean.

  
  

  

  Beans and jars ready for the canner

  
  
  
  

4. Process the Jars

• Pressure Canning: Place jars in your pressure canner. Process pint jars at 10 pounds of pressure for 75 minutes or quart jars for 90 minutes (adjust for altitude). Don't forget to let your canner vent for 10 min before starting your timer.

• Cool: Allow the canner to depressurize naturally. Remove jars and let them cool on a towel-lined surface. Check seals after 24 hours.

  
  

  

  Venting canner

  
  

Storage and Usage Tips:

• Storage: Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to one year.

• Usage: Use your canned refried beans as a base for burritos, nachos, dips, or side dishes. Heat gently with a splash of water or broth to restore the perfect consistency.

  
  

Make the Refried Beans

• Mash or Blend: Drain the beans, reserving some of the cooking liquid. Mash beans with a potato masher or blend for a smoother texture, adding cooking liquid as needed.

• Season: Add salt, spices, minced onion, and garlic to taste. Adjust consistency by adding more liquid if necessary. When done, sprinkle some cheese on top and enjoy this gooey goodness!

Canning refried beans is a fantastic way to enjoy homemade, wholesome food on the go. By dedicating a day to this project, you’ll save time and effort later—and you’ll always have a delicious, versatile ingredient at your fingertips. So grab your pressure canner and give it a try. Your future meals will thank you!