Refried Beans From Scratch
An authentic recipe for homemade refried beans, topped with melted cheese, perfect for satisfying cravings.
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Instructions
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Sort and rinse the beans, then place them in a large pot with approximately 6 cups of water to cover them by 4 inches. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 2 hours until tender. Let the beans cool in their cooking liquid for 1 hour.
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In a separate pot, heat 1 tablespoon of lard over medium heat. Sauté the onion, garlic, and serrano pepper for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked beans, 1 cup of their cooking liquid, and the sautéed vegetables to a blender or food processor. Blend until mostly smooth.
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In the pot used for sautéing, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of lard over medium-high heat. Carefully add the puréed bean mixture, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for about 5 minutes until the desired consistency is reached, adding small amounts of reserved cooking liquid if too thick. Season with salt.
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Top the beans with shredded cheese. Remove from heat and cover the pot until the cheese melts. Keep warm until serving.